Balanced Black Girl Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: Clean Beauty, Building A New Brand, and Flexible Wellness with Denise Vasi
Host: Balanced Black Girl
Guest: Denise Vasi
Release Date: December 10, 2024

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Balanced Black Girl, host Balanced Black Girl welcomes Denise Vasi, the founder of MADE Beauty. The conversation delves into Denise's multifaceted career journey, the founding of her beauty brand, and her commitment to clean beauty and flexible wellness.

Denise Vasi’s Career Journey

Denise Vasi shares an inspiring narrative of resilience and adaptability. She began her career in modeling at a young age, signed by the prestigious Eileen Ford agency. Denise recounts the challenges she faced when she didn't meet the traditional height requirements for runway modeling. Instead of retreating, she pivoted to beauty, leveraging her unique position to work in beauty campaigns, emphasizing diversity and inclusivity.

Notable Quote:
"I've always been able to put the work in to change that, to go after the things I want, to not listen to the naysayers." (04:49)

Denise’s transition from modeling to acting on television further broadened her horizons. However, her passion for beauty remained steadfast, ultimately leading her to create her own brand, MADE Beauty.

Founding MADE Beauty: Identifying a Gap in Lip Care

Denise identified a significant gap in the beauty industry: comprehensive lip care. Observing that while other parts of skincare had elaborate routines, lips were often neglected in terms of holistic care.

Notable Quote:
"There was a lack in the space for a start to finish ritual routine for lips." (15:47)

Denise experimented with various ingredients, seeking to develop products that not only enhanced lip aesthetics but also promoted long-term lip health. Her dedication culminated in a unique lip care ritual featuring a harmonious blend of products designed to work synergistically.

The Unique Approach of MADE Beauty

MADE Beauty distinguishes itself through intentional formulation and inclusivity. Denise emphasizes the importance of creating products tailored to women of color, addressing specific needs such as fuller lips and common concerns like discoloration and fine lines.

Notable Quote:
"We have a proprietary mix that includes ceramides, biomimetic peptides, and plant stem cells to maintain lip barrier function long-term." (19:01)

One standout feature is the design of their balm applicator, crafted to efficiently cover fuller lips without the need for constant reapplication. This thoughtful design reflects Denise's commitment to creating user-friendly and effective products.

Notable Quote:
"I wanted to make sure that the applicator gets the product all the way around your lip, ensuring full coverage." (18:28)

Clean Beauty: Definition and Importance

Denise delves into the philosophy of clean beauty, highlighting the absence of strict regulatory definitions and the importance of self-advocacy in product formulation.

Notable Quote:
"We personally formulate to EU standards because there are more regulations there, and far more ingredients are banned from their cosmetic products." (30:44)

For Denise, clean beauty means using safe, non-toxic ingredients that promote health and wellness. She underscores the necessity of being an informed consumer, advocating for transparency and intentionality in beauty products.

Notable Quote:
"Making conscious, intentional choices about what we put in and on our bodies is the answer to health." (32:55)

Personal Experiences and Self-Care

Throughout the episode, Denise emphasizes the critical role of self-care in her life and business. She candidly discusses the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with personal well-being, especially during the launch phase of her brand.

Notable Quote:
"Self-care is a really big part of my ability to do all the things that I do because I do quite a lot." (39:21)

Denise shares how the demands of building MADE Beauty temporarily sidelined her self-care routines. Now that the brand's launch phase has stabilized, she is eager to reintegrate practices like gym workouts, gua sha, and red light therapy into her daily life.

Challenges of Being a Founder: Balancing Life and Work

Denise provides an honest look into the realities of founder life, highlighting the sacrifices and the intense focus required to launch a new brand.

Notable Quote:
"There’s only so much time in a day, and so you have to pick and choose." (42:11)

She discusses the emotional toll of seeing her hard work come to fruition and the importance of authenticity in sharing both successes and struggles with her community. Denise's vulnerability in sharing moments of overwhelm and failure serves as a powerful testament to her resilience and commitment.

Notable Quote:
"When you feel like you're failing, please know that I fail too. And I fail miserably. But I always get back up." (41:53)

Community and Impact

One of the most touching moments in the episode is Denise's reaction to seeing her products used organically by others. Transitioning from creating content for other brands to witnessing real users engage authentically with MADE Beauty products was profoundly moving for her.

Notable Quote:
"I was so overwhelmed, I started to cry in my car." (02:02)

Denise’s commitment to diversity resonates through her brand’s impact, fostering a community where women of color feel seen and celebrated. Her efforts not only fill a market gap but also empower her customers to embrace their beauty confidently.

Clean Beauty Advocacy and Personal Health

Denise's advocacy for clean beauty is deeply personal, influenced by her family's health experiences. Her grandmother’s holistic approach to health inspired Denise to prioritize safe and effective ingredients in her products.

Notable Quote:
"Everything that they taught her, she just basically taught me. So kind of exposed to alternative medicine and health and wellness really young." (36:22)

This upbringing instilled in Denise a profound understanding of body awareness and the importance of listening to one’s body, shaping her approach to both personal wellness and product development.

Conclusion: Supporting MADE Beauty

Denise wraps up the conversation by inviting listeners to explore MADE Beauty’s offerings and engage with the brand’s mission of promoting clean, inclusive beauty.

Where to Find MADE Beauty:

• Instagram: @madbeauty
• Website: madebeauty.com

She encourages potential customers to join the MADE Beauty community and experience the thoughtfully curated lip care ritual that her brand offers.

Notable Quote:
"Please follow us and find us on Instagram @madbeauty, and go to madebeauty.com to shop the collection." (46:13)

Final Thoughts

Denise Vasi’s journey from modeling and acting to founding a clean beauty brand exemplifies determination and authenticity. Her story is not only about creating a successful business but also about fostering a community that values diversity, self-care, and informed consumer choices. Denise’s transparency about the challenges of entrepreneurship and her unwavering dedication to her mission offer invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and beauty enthusiasts alike.

Episode Takeaways:

• The importance of pivoting and adapting in one’s career.
• Identifying and addressing gaps in the market with thoughtful, inclusive products.
• The philosophy and practice of clean beauty, emphasizing safety and transparency.
• Balancing entrepreneurship with personal wellness and self-care.
• Building and nurturing a community through authenticity and shared values.

For more insights and updates, follow Balanced Black Girl and connect with Denise Vasi on Instagram @madbeauty.