Smart Beauty
Episodes
From poker to prescription skincare: building a £160m business with James Mishreki
23 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
James Mishreki went from professional poker player to building Skin+Me, a personalised prescription skincare company now valued at £160 million. But ...
Why some brains are built for corporate – with Michelle Kluz, CEO of Stila Cosmetics
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Michelle Kluz is the CEO of Stila Cosmetics, the 31-year-old heritage beauty brand known for its cult liquid eyeliner. Before Stila, Michelle worked a...
How Dr Olivia Ahn co-created Fluus, the world's first flushable period pad
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Olivia Ahn is the co-founder of Fluus, the world's first flushable, microplastic-free period pad. A medical doctor turned entrepreneur, she built t...
Breaking the poo taboo with We Are Regular's Holly Brooke & Joely Walker
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Holly Brooke and Joely Walker met in a Leeds nightclub at 16. Nearly two decades later, they've launched We Are Regular — a supplement brand on a mi...
Bestselling author Roxie Nafousi on launching her new perfume line Alia
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Viola is joined by Roxie Nafousi – bestselling author, manifestation coach, and founder of fragrance brand Alia – to talk about h...
Live from British Beauty Week: The Princess and The Witch Panel Talk
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a live recording from British Beauty Week 2025, where we hosted a panel discussion at Tallulah Lingerie exploring the beauty archetype...
The Inkey List's Colette Laxton on building a £100M skincare brand
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Viola sits down with Colette Laxton, co-founder of The Inkey List, the skincare brand that's completely changed how we talk about ing...
Serial entrepreneur Andraya Kenton on self-worth and why authenticity always wins out
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it really take to build three successful brands whilst raising a blended family of seven? In this episode, I'm chatting with serial entrepr...
How mushrooms became big news in beauty and wellness – with Dr Catalina Fernandez de Ana
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Once the preserve of pizzas and Nintendo games, mushrooms are popping up everywhere at the moment (mushroom coffee anyone?). In this episode, we sit d...
Tasha Nickson from The Soil Association on "greenwashing" and sustainable storytelling
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Viola sits down with Tasha Nickson from the Soil Association to talk about sustainability storytelling in the beauty industry. We dis...
eyeam founders Margo & Roxy Marrone on their 'spiritual skincare' brand
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When organic beauty pioneer Margo Marrone said she'd never launch another brand, she meant it (at the time). But watching her daughter Roxy struggle w...
Beauty, barriers and being first: Ruby Hammer's trailblazing story
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ruby Hammer MBE transformed British beauty as the first makeup artist of colour to be regularly featured on British television. She was born to Bangla...
"Business Hippie" Abi Cleeve on leadership & independence
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Almost 30 years ago, Abi Cleeve sat down with nothing but a stack of Yellow Pages and an idea. Long before the internet, she methodically called pharm...
What do beauty buyers really want? Decoding retail success with Catherine Bossom
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered what really goes on when a beauty brand tries to score a spot onto the hallowed shelves of Harrods or Space NK? Catherine Bosso...
Grown Alchemist CEO Anna Teal on leadership, mindset and personal growth
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Anna Teal, CEO of Grown Alchemist, to chat about her incredible journey from traditional retail at Boots to leading ...
"Everyone's just winging it!" Lizzie Ostrom on being an outsider in fragrance
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Lizzie Ostrom, the pioneering fragrance specialist and writer, who helped revolutionise how we experience perfume. Known by her stage-persona "Od...
How to build a makeup brand – with Suzy Griffin Dunne, founder of Hildun Beauty
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We sit down with Suzy Griffin Dunne, founder of Irish makeup brand Hildun Beauty, to explore what it really takes to build a successful makeup brand f...
Sophie King on surviving meningitis and building a fragrance empire
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sophie King went from corporate life to building a fragrance empire with over 145K YouTube subscribers and her brand SOKI London, but her journey wasn...
From heritage to disruption (via an NCP carpark) Sarah Rotheram on reinventing iconic fragrance brands
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Rotheram has spent her career breathing new life into some of the world's most beloved fragrance houses, including Penhaligon's and Creed. In th...
Make Love Not Porn: Cindy Gallop on fixing sex education for the digital age
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when hardcore pornography becomes sex education by default? Cindy Gallop has spent 16 years fighting to change that. In this essential co...
Demystifying the world of scent with Karen Gilbert
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes in perfumery? Our latest episode with fragrance educator and author Karen Gilbert helps lift the l...
How to get retailers to stock your product, with Louisa Harris
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What are beauty buyers really looking for? In this episode, Viola sits down with Louisa Harris, Beauty Director at Debenhams, for an insightful conver...
Lee Pycroft on makeup and mental health
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“I went in with a mindset very much of how can I leave people better off for me having been here.” Really delighted to talk to Lee Pycroft a renow...
Following your own star: Mandy Aftel on natural perfumes
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I sit down with Mandy Aftel, founder of Aftelier Perfumes and a leading voice in natural perfumery for over 30 years. Mandy shares he...
The brilliance of British perfumery, with Barnes Fragrance Fayre founder Amanda Carr
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we're joined by Amanda Carr, founder of the Barnes Fragrance Fair, trend forecaster, and co-founder of We Wear Perfume. Amanda shares ...
Poppy King on the magic of lipstick and how she built her empire
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're delighted to be joined by beauty pioneer Poppy King, founder of multiple iconic lipstick brands including Poppy and Lipstick Queen. Starti...
How Only Curls' founder Lizzie Carter is revolutionising curly haircare
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Smart Beauty, we sit down with Lizzie Carter, founder of the beloved curly hair brand Only Curls. Starting with just £500 in savin...
Beyond the beauty hype with journalist and trend-forecaster Louise Whitbread
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Going back to her writer roots, Viola speaks with her long-time industry colleague and beauty journalist Louise Whitbread about her journey into cosme...
How The Glowcery's Roshanne Dorsett transformed personal burnout into an award-winning beauty brand
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Roshanne Dorsett, founder of The Glowcery, a whole food superfood skincare brand founded on the belief that what you...
Building beauty empires – global brand strategy with Anna Vale
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Smart Beauty, host Viola speaks with Anna Vale, a powerhouse independent consultant specialising in scaling indie beauty brands thr...
Wild Source founder Kate Kaye on creating a "meditation-infused" skincare brand
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Kate Kaye, founder of Wild Source - a holistic skincare brand born at her kitchen table that now graces the shelves ...
"If I spend money on branding, when will I see a return on my investment?"
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special "bottle episode" of the Smart Beauty Podcast, host Viola Levy answers the question on every beauty entrepreneur's mind: "If I spend mo...
Agnes Cazin on The Buzz of Beauty Festival and elevating Black entrepreneurs
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with beauty mogul Agnes Cazin, the visionary force behind branding and communications agency Haiti73 she is about to laun...
How to get your brand into top retailers – insider tips from Francesca Cherruault
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we chat with Francesca Cherruault, founder of Filthy Brands, about shaking up the fragrance industry and championing independent bran...
Addressing colourism in the beauty industry, with Fizah Pasha
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Fizah Pasha, founder of Brulée Beauty, to discuss her journey in tackling colourism within the beauty industry. Wit...
Azzi Glasser on celebrity scents and conquering #PerfumeTok
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Viola chats to the renowned Azzi Glasser, who has spent over three decades designing bespoke fragrances for Hollywood's elite. Azzi s...
Standing on business – sustainably – with Rebecca Jaquest, Founder of Nyita
17 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we’re thrilled to welcome the brilliant Rebecca Jaquest, founder of Nyita, a brand that’s redefining luxury beauty with its unwavering comm...
How to avoid telling the same old story with Viola Levy
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this mini episode of the Smart Beauty Podcast, host Viola Levy tackles a challenge many beauty brands face: crafting a brand story that truly stand...
Redefining luxury beauty: inclusivity and representation with Deborah Johnson
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does "luxury" really mean in the beauty industry today? In this episode, host Viola Levy sits down with long-time industry friend and beauty PR p...
Pro-ageing in beauty: a candid conversation with Millie Kendall OBE
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode, we speak to Millie Kendall OBE, serial entrepreneur, founder of British Beauty Week and CEO of the British Beauty Council, to...
Estée Lalonde on authenticity, ambition & building Mirror Water
08 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we're chatting with the inspiring Estée Lalonde. From her early days as a beloved content creator to becoming the founder of the wellness-focu...
Breaking boundaries in beauty with Former Liberty Head of Beauty Buying Rhea Cartwright (Part 2)
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we’re diving back into the second part of my conversation with the brilliant Rhea Cartwright. If you missed part one, I highly recommend goin...
Breaking boundaries in beauty with Former Liberty Head of Beauty Buying Rhea Cartwright (Part 1)
24 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Rhea Cartwright, a trailblazer in the beauty industry whose career spans everything from sales and trai...
How Cult Beauty changed the digital beauty landscape – with co-founder and former CEO Alexia Inge
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of Alexia Inge, co-founder of Cult Beauty, one of the first purely digital beauty retailers that ...
Get your PR act together – with Kelly Marks, founder of Pure PR
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In our latest episode, we’re joined by the industry veteran Kelly Marks, co-founder of Pure PR, an agency that has been shaping the beauty landscape...
The rise of doctor-led skincare with Dr Sabrina Shah
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We dive into the burgeoning world of doctor-led skincare with Dr Sabrina Shah, a distinguished UK-trained oculoplastic surgeon and aesthetic practitio...
The tricky situation with LUSH & The Body Shop
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joining us once again is Sarah McCartney, founder and perfumer of 4160Tuesdays, who shares her insider perspective on the ongoing tension between LUSH...
Transforming eczema care with Lauren Bell, founder of Cosi Care
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode for National Eczema Week, we’re excited to feature Lauren Bell, the innovative founder of Cosi Care.Lauren’s mission to ad...
Becky Symes: How "authentic" do you need to be with your brand?
14 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we're joined by the incredibly talented Becky Symes, a visionary designer and digital storyteller who helps women with personal brands bring th...
What is the Smart Beauty Method Part 2
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this second part of our mini-series, we explore our unique approach to working with clients that breaks away from the traditional agency model. Las...
What I learnt from working with two powerhouses of beauty retail
02 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host Viola Levy shares invaluable lessons from her time working with two of the most influential women in beauty retail, Alexia Inge,...
How to bring a perfume to market, with Olfiction's Pia Long & Nick Gilbert
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The perfume world is notoriously tricky to succeed in. (How do you market an invisible product that everyone will experience differently?) In today’...
Why feminism is the future of beauty branding
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Smart Beauty Podcast, host Viola Levy discusses why her branding agency proudly identifies as feminist. Viola delves into the h...
Understanding the Middle Eastern beauty market, with Arooba Anwar, founder of Arooba Beauty.
17 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we're talking to Arooba Anwar, founder of Arooba Beauty and an expert in the Middle Eastern beauty market. With Euromonitor International valui...
What is the Smart Beauty Method? Part 1
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
At SBC, we work a little differently to the traditional agency model, based on Viola's experiences working at such agencies as a copywriter. She witne...
How should beauty brands approach journalists? With beauty writer Keysha Davis
10 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Beauty journalist and copywriter Keysha Davis brings over 20 years of industry experience to the table. She has collaborated with numerous hair and ma...
When's the right time to rebrand? Just ask Huda Beauty…
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we dive into the exciting world of rebranding with a spotlight on Huda Kattan, the influencer-turned-beauty mogul behind Huda Beauty. Huda ...
How to get your beauty brand into top retailers
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine your beauty brand proudly displayed on the shelves of SpaceNK and Sephora, turning your dream into a reality. In this episode, we delve into t...
How The Body Shop's story proves that tone of voice does matter
29 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our founder talks about what actually happened with The Body Shop, how it went from a plucky, pioneering brand to a household name to...
A bit about Viola, our founder
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Viola Levy, the founder of Smart Beauty Creative. She shares her journey into the beauty industry, her passion for it, and what inspired her to e...
Jasmine Wicks-Stephens, Founder of Faace Skincare and The Known Community
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Viola chatted to Jasmine Wicks-Stevens, Founder of PR and Branding Agency The Known Community as well as Faace Skincare. Jasmine is kind of like the D...
Linda Pilkington, Perfumer & Founder of Ormonde Jayne
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Nestled in Mayfair’s Royal Arcade, the Ormonde Jayne boutique offers some of the most unique concoctions on the planet, with ingredients sourced fro...
Sarah McCartney, Perfumer & Founder of 4160Tuesdays
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah McCartney started out in business at age 7, in her words “buying wooden beads, making them into things and selling them on to my friends.” T...
Olivia Da Costa, Founder of Olfactive O
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Fragrance maven Olivia Da Costa is yet another colourful addition to the wonderful world of British perfumery. She is the founder of luxury scent bran...