EP316. Why did the Body Shop fail but this Formula Botanica graduate didn't? (the answer will surprise you)

Beauty packaging is one of the most expensive mistakes an indie brand founder can make. And yet most brands still treat it as an afterthought. In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier unpicks why leaving packaging decisions to the last minute costs brands far more than money, and why some of the most well-intentioned choices, from dark violet glass to biopolymers made from sugarcane, may not be as lower-impact as they appear. If you've ever chosen your packaging based on how it looks rather than what happens to it when it's empty, this episode is for you. Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

Picture this: you've chosen your materials, researched your options and invested in what you believe is eco packaging for your beauty products. But what if it's not as sustainable as it seems? In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by Jerome Fraillon, founder and CEO of Alder Packaging, to unpack the hidden realities behind packaging decisions in the beauty industry and so-called "sustainable" packaging materials. What Jerome says will probably shock you, and you'll never see eco packaging in the same light again. Tune in now to find out more!   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram  

Hair loss is one of the most searched beauty concerns online – and yet, much of what you're being told about it simply doesn't hold up. In this thought-provoking and vulnerable episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier pulls back the curtain on the hair loss industry – opening up about her own hair loss experience – and reveals why so many products, trends and viral TikTok remedies may not be giving you the full picture. If you've ever found yourself scrolling late at night, adding so-called 'miracle' hair-growth solutions to your basket, this episode is for you.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

Hair loss is far more common in women than we often realise – yet it often remains misunderstood, under-discussed, and frequently mis-sold through quick-fix products. In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by trichologist Chloe Heyworth, founder of Micro Artistry, to explore what really lies behind hair loss and why a personalised, evidence-led approach matters. Tune in now to find out more!   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

What if you discovered that a significant portion of the beauty products you use every day could be rooted in fossil fuels – and no one is required to tell you? In this thought-provoking episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier challenges one of the biggest blind spots in the beauty industry: transparency around petrochemical dependency. It's a question that most formulators, brands and consumers have never even considered – and once you hear it, you won't be able to ignore it. Tune in now to find out more! Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

Did you know that most of the most celebrated active ingredients in your skincare are actually derived from petrochemicals? In this week's eye-opening episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by Chris Valencius, Chief Marketing Officer at Evolved by Nature, to uncover the uncomfortable truth about fossil fuels in skincare and how deeply embedded they are in the beauty industry. Luckily, there are solutions. Tune in now to discover how biotechnology and upcycled silk proteins are opening up a new frontier of high-performance, sustainable ingredients designed to replace legacy ingredients and reshape the future of skincare. Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram  

What if everything you thought you knew about natural skincare was… wrong? Picture the most luxurious skincare product you can imagine – a weighty glass jar, minimalist branding, a premium price tag. Now ask yourself: what colour is it? If your answer is white or cream, you're not alone – but this week's episode of Green Beauty Conversations challenges exactly why that assumption exists, and what it might be costing us. Tune in now to find out more! Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

The beauty industry says it wants to go natural – but does it really mean it? In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by Alejandro Franco of Kaffe Bueno to explore the contradiction at the heart of beauty, where brands champion plant-based ingredients, yet reject their natural colour, scent and texture. Alejandro shares why the industry needs to change its relationship to natural ingredients, and also how he built the world's first coffee biorefinery, transforming coffee waste into high-performance skincare ingredients.  Tune in now to find out more!   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram

What happens when a brand loses its purpose – and what happens when a founder refuses to let go? In this week's episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier reveals the surprising truth behind the rise and fall of one of the most iconic ethical beauty brands in history, and the remarkable story of Formula Botanica graduate Sandra Velasquez, who succeeded against all odds. If you've ever dreamed of creating your own beauty brand or already have one, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram      

Could skincare help save butterflies? In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Formula Botanica CEO Lorraine Dallmeier is joined by Chris Amendt, founder of Native Monarchs and Monarch Botanika, who is on a mission to protect monarch butterflies through both conservation and skincare. Chris shares how she's using beauty as a tool to fund conservation, protect monarch habitats, and raise awareness for a species in decline. This is an honest look at the challenges of building a mission-driven brand, the reality of habitat loss, and why putting purpose before profit matters more than ever.   Special offer: This episode features a conservation-first giveaway for listeners. One lucky listener will receive a Monarch Botanika Facial Care Kit as a special thank-you for donations to Native Monarchs. Head on over to Monarch Botanika to find out more!   Free Resources Free formulation course | Green Beauty Conversations Podcast | Blog | YouTube Socials: Formula Botanica on Instagram | Lorraine Dallmeier on Instagram