Episode 41 - Vegan Luxe Esthetics - Brooke Young

Brooke Young, the founder of Vegan Lux Aesthetics, takes us on a journey into sustainable skincare. With an unwavering commitment to veganism spanning almost a decade, Brooke shares how this deeply ingrained lifestyle choice drove her quest to create a brand that serves the community and the planet. In a world filled with profit-driven businesses, Brooke's emphasis on living the brand with sincerity, transparency, and unwavering passion sets Vegan Lux Aesthetics apart, redefining the concept of ethical skincare.

Brooke unveils some of the brand's advanced skincare products, designed to cater to various skin types, and challenges the prevailing notion that effective skincare must come at the expense of ethical practices. Brooke's dedication to vegan principles and unwavering sustainability shines through, empowering listeners to reflect upon their skincare choices and embrace a more conscious approach to beauty. By championing the cause of ethical skincare, Brooke paves the way for a brighter future, where the pursuit of beauty aligns harmoniously with the preservation of our environment.

Quote from interviewee for callout box:

“Back then, there were not a lot of lines that spoke specifically to our skin tone, and I saw how challenging that was. And I said, if I'm going to put my money on anything, it's going to be on the caring and sustainability of skincare and skincare products.”

Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:

• Black women often face barriers when it comes to skincare, including feelings of unworthiness and a lack of access to products tailored to their specific needs.
• Black women's purchasing power in the beauty market is significant, with statistics showing that they spend more and are quicker to embrace new products than their white counterparts.
• Overcoming the narrative that black women are not a focus in the beauty industry and providing inclusive, tailored products and marketing strategies can empower black women to make informed skincare choices and feel good about themselves

Check Out These Highlights:

• Brooke mentions the barriers to entry for black beauty brands and references Pat McGrath's recent product line launch (7:50)
• Brooke explains how the lack of marketing and representation for black women in the industry reflects a system that wants to make them feel less about themselves. (18:39)
• Brooke shares her motivation behind starting her brand and what it stands for (23:34)

Quotes:

• “The more I did makeup artistry, the more I realized that people were covering up issues as opposed to tending to them.”
• “I also say shop for your skin and not the trends because trends come and go. But how does it actually suit your skin needs and your skincare goals?”
• “Beauty is ingrained in our cultures. We want to look and feel good. But why would an industry that's ran by European and Korean markets want to market to people who they want to feel less about themselves?”