Breaking Beauty Podcast Episode Summary

Title: Claudia Sulewski on Her Viral Self-Care Brand Cyklar, Early YouTube Fame & The Secrets of her Summer Skincare Routine
Release Date: August 13, 2025
Hosts: Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins
Guest: Claudia Saluski

1. Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Breaking Beauty Podcast, hosts Jill Dunn and Carlene Higgins welcome Claudia Saluski, a prominent beauty content creator and entrepreneur. Claudia discusses her journey from early YouTube fame to launching her self-care brand, Cyklar. The conversation delves into her personal experiences, skincare routines, and entrepreneurial insights.

2. Claudia's Early YouTube Journey

Claudia began her foray into content creation at the young age of 13, during the nascent stages of YouTube in 2009. She reminisces about creating her first makeup tutorial by experimenting with her mother's eyeshadow palettes. Reflecting on her early days, Claudia says:

Claudia Saluski ([10:04]): "My first video was a makeup tutorial. I stole one of my mom's eyeshadow palettes, and it was blue, and I did a blue eye makeup look."

Her channel has grown to nearly 6 million subscribers, garnering over 240 million views across various platforms. Claudia also shares her experiences working with Teen Vogue, representing them at red carpet events and engaging with celebrities like Zendaya and Victoria Justice.

3. Launching Cyklar: Inspiration and Product Development

In late 2023, Claudia launched her body care brand, Cyklar, aiming to create products that blend performance with a luxurious self-care experience. She explains the brand's philosophy:

Claudia Saluski ([19:44]): "I wanted to make something that delivered on performance and experience, which is sort of where the concept of multi-sensory and sensorial came about."

Cyklar's initial product was a body cream housed in a beautiful glass jar, emphasizing tactile and sensory indulgence. Claudia highlights the brand’s unique packaging with a 70s aesthetic and indulgent scents like Naked Neroli and Sacred Santal. The body washes feature an oil gel texture that provides both cleansing and moisturization, leaving skin feeling smooth and hydrated.

4. Entrepreneurial Challenges and Brand Refresh

Claudia candidly discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, including self-funding the initial launch and managing every aspect of the business herself. She shares insights into the importance of feedback and the need to pivot when necessary:

Claudia Saluski ([26:38]): "I think it's so important as a founder and as an entrepreneur to understand that when you need to pivot, it can make or break your brand."

After a year, Claudia partnered with Ben Bennett to refresh and pivot the brand, addressing issues with initial product formulations and packaging. This collaboration led to a brand refresh, lowering pricing, and refining the product line based on customer feedback.

5. Product Highlights and Differentiators

Claudia delves into the standout features of Cyklar’s products, emphasizing the blend of effective skincare ingredients with delightful sensory experiences:

• Body Wash: Infused with a multi-oil complex and glycerin, it offers a serum-like texture that lathers beautifully and leaves a moisturizing layer on the skin. Claudia notes:

  Claudia Saluski ([31:17]): "Using it in the shower transforms it into a silky cushion that lathers beautifully and leaves your skin feeling moisturized."

• Perfume Oils: Available in discreet amber bottles with roller ball applicators, these oils are affordable yet luxurious. Her personal favorite is "Sex Musk":

  Jill Dunn ([02:11]): “I love the one called Sex Musk. It smells incredible.”

• Upcoming Products: Claudia mentions the launch of a glycolic acid body spray and a lactic acid foaming body polish, expanding Cyklar’s product range to address various skin concerns.

6. Claudia's Skincare and Beauty Routine

Claudia shares her personal skincare regimen, emphasizing hydration and barrier support. Her routine includes:

• Cleanser: Rice water from Beauty of Joseon to prepare her skin.
• Moisturizers: Retinol application building skin tolerance, followed by hydrating creams.
• Sunscreen: Essential component, though she discusses recent regulatory changes affecting her favorite brands.
• Makeup: Minimalist approach focusing on enhancing natural features with cream bronzer, blush, and subtle eye makeup. She highlights her preference for products like the Make Up Beauty Skin Mimetic concealer and Chanel’s cream bronzer.

Claudia Saluski ([37:45]): "I'll do all my skincare, then a cream bronzer to add warmth and contour, followed by a cream blush and a bit of concealer."

7. Acting Career and Creative Pursuits

Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Claudia is passionate about acting and directing. She has appeared in indie films, such as "I Love My Dad," and directed music videos for artists like Finneas. She discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing content creation with her acting aspirations:

Claudia Saluski ([50:50]): "Acting has always been such a dream and passion of mine... It's something that you just don't have a lot of control in."

8. Future Plans for Cyklar and Personal Projects

Looking ahead, Claudia plans to expand Cyklar’s product line to include more skincare-driven body products, both fragranced and fragrance-free. She is also exploring opportunities in directing, leveraging her YouTube roots to enhance her storytelling capabilities.

Additionally, Claudia touches on her wellness practices influenced by her partner Finneas, including cold plunges and sauna sessions, which reflect her commitment to a holistic self-care lifestyle.

9. Conclusion

The episode concludes with Claudia expressing her excitement for the future of Cyklar and her ongoing creative endeavors. Hosts Jill and Carlene thank her for sharing her inspiring journey, providing listeners with valuable insights into building a successful beauty brand and maintaining a balanced personal life.

Claudia Saluski ([53:54]): "I'm so excited for you guys to get into it and thank you so much for having me. This was so fun."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Claudia on Starting Cyklar:
  [19:44] "I wanted to make something that delivered on performance and experience, which is sort of where the concept of multi-sensory and sensorial came about."

• Claudia on Entrepreneurship:
  [26:38] "I think it's so important as a founder and as an entrepreneur to understand that when you need to pivot, it can make or break your brand."

• Jill on Sex Musk Perfume Oil:
  [02:11] "I love the one called Sex Musk. It smells incredible."

• Claudia on Acting:
  [50:50] "Acting has always been such a dream and passion of mine... It's something that you just don't have a lot of control in."

Final Thoughts

Claudia Saluski's story is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and innovation in the beauty industry. Her ability to blend effective skincare with sensory indulgence sets Cyklar apart in a competitive market, while her multifaceted career inspires aspiring creators and entrepreneurs alike.

For more details on the products mentioned in this episode and exclusive promo codes, visit breakingbeautypodcast.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Breaking Beauty Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and other platforms to stay updated on future episodes.