Podcast Summary: Skin Anarchy

Episode: Building a Beauty Brand Beyond Trends with Natasha Denona

Date: January 5, 2026
Host: Dr. Ekta
Guest: Natasha Denona (ND), Makeup Artist & Founder

Episode Overview

This rich, in-depth conversation explores Natasha Denona’s journey from early creative and scientific influences to building one of the most iconic and enduring beauty brands. Dr. Ekta and Natasha discuss the intersection of artistry, science, inclusivity, business sustainability, authenticity, and innovation in beauty. Listeners gain rare insight into Denona’s philosophy, product development process, and her approach to brand legacy beyond passing trends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Childhood Influences: Blending Art & Science

• ND’s mother’s career as a chemist and technical drawer exposed her early to lab environments, photography, and scientific thinking.
  • “My mom was a chemist…her office was full of chemistry, science, photography, and technical drawing. So this is kind of my world and I think that this gave me a lot.” (02:10)
• Early fascination with art, painting (inspired by Salvador Dalí), and self-expression became a foundation for her artistry.
  • “Painting was always a part of self-expression, but really from the inside, like, it helped me relax and get calm…I just felt like it was a psychological therapy for me to paint.” (04:55)

2. The Origin of Natasha Denona’s Approach to Color

• Theater makeup and fashion work taught her about expressive color and the difference between stage, beauty, and personal style.
  • “I actually started with theater makeup…this was very expressive because your eyes have to be huge for stage.” (05:10)
• She became a makeup artist after years as a dancer and model, loving to create cohesive "color stories" that serve everyone.
  • “It’s hard to create, like, one color story that will still look, like, interesting and fun to play with.” (06:50)

3. Inclusivity Built In: Not Bolted On

• Emphasized that inclusivity was foundational not reactive to trends:
  • “I just cannot bear the feeling that somebody will feel excluded…I’m trying our best to include everyone.” (10:25)
• Product development starts with solving real needs, not chasing trends or market gaps.
  • “When I create a product, I think about the look first, and then I imagine how that look would look in a palette…as a makeup artist, as a consumer, what is missing, what I always dreamt of.” (08:32)

Memorable Quote

• “I’m not running after trends. I see the makeup products…I create as evergreens. The Biba palette is good for always.” (10:00)

4. Complexion Range & Foundation Launch

• Complexion products are the “hardest category”—launched 52 shades:
  • “For an indie brand to create 52 shades…is enormously huge. It wasn’t even a negotiation. I do what I think is right.” (13:05)
• Formula design focused on inclusivity, adaptability, and innovation, even at high cost.
  • “It has to be profitable for a brand to exist. But I’m not driven by numbers, firstly…I cannot sleep at night when I think about those things.” (13:51)

Memorable Quote

• “If you want to do something unique and special for the people, first of all. And then I think about if it’s profitable.” (13:42)

5. Creativity, Innovation & Avoiding Trend-Chasing

• Creativity flows from both spontaneous inspiration and years of artistry:
  • “Sometimes I’m just in the evening, I just have a pop up in my brain and I’m sending a message to our group and we have to talk about this tomorrow.” (17:15)
  • “When you have your concept…you automatically already have further ideas for next launches.” (17:38)
• Maintains “evergreen” relevance by tuning out trend cycles:
  • “I’m always checking what the trends are…and I’m going to do something that nobody will do. Something that is good for always, not only for that moment.” (10:00)

6. Category Innovation: Blush & Highlighter Palettes

• Pioneered category-bridging palettes (e.g., Bloom, Bronze, Love):
  • “When I developed these, it was not common to have these type of products on the market…where is the actual pigment? Where’s the actual professional vision in the product?” (19:08)
• Products based on makeup artist techniques, with education at the forefront.
  • “All of my first products…were all built based on the techniques as a makeup artist that I was using…with the glow and the contour, like bronzing, contouring, highlighting, first with cream, then with topping it with powder.” (19:35)
  • “The educational part…was exactly the time where people wanted to learn how you can apply at home in a simplified way, but you get those professional results.” (20:05)

7. Entrepreneurship: Authenticity, Camera Shyness, & Brand Longevity

• Struggled with being a public face, prefers the product to speak:
  • “It’s not in my personal character to let things go around me. I don’t want to be in the spotlight…But since I have a story to tell and it’s honest, so it’s easier for me.” (21:55)
  • “The product itself has to be the star. People should not purchase because of me, but because they really believe in the product, understand what it does.” (24:33)
• Authenticity & realness matter more than personality-driven marketing.
  • “Today…I just really say the authentic, original thought. And I think this is…what people are looking for—authenticity and real people.” (23:34)

8. Industry Shifts & Being “The Blueprint”

• Flattered but stays focused on her own innovation:
  • “Getting inspired is flattering…But when you see somebody duping this, that’s not nice. But getting inspired—this is honoring.” (26:40)
• “What really gets emotional for me is when young people or people want to start their journey as a makeup artist or brand, and I’m an inspiration for them. This is something else…This touches my heart.” (27:15)

9. Advice for Founders & New Entrepreneurs

• Stay original, adapt but don’t lose your signature:
  • “You should always think about or be staying original and true to your DNA, but at the same time…adopt a little bit, but still stay true to your brand…When you try to do something like others do, you’re losing your signature.” (33:48–34:30)
• Embrace ups & downs; lifelong learning:
  • “You have to accept failures…always take everything as your school and a lesson and don’t give up.” (35:05)

10. Science, Ingredients, and Creation Process

• Unique immersion in raw materials, R&D, and chemist collaboration:
  • “I’m super involved in the structure of the formulations…going into the raw materials that actually, I’m super happy that I have crazy access to the newest innovations.” (40:00)
  • “I use the raw materials to act like an active ingredient…Everything’s made from scratch.” (41:26)
  • “In those submissions, I’m truly a part of designing the structure or the formula—that’s, I think, different from most of the founders.” (44:06)
• Hybridization of skincare and makeup, driven by self-experience as a dancer and sensitive skin:
  • “I always dreamt of hybrids in makeup…a healthier color cosmetic product that you put on your skin…generation of hybrids, especially in complexion products, is so important.” (46:00)
  • “I always say that if you have foundation or concealer, it’s better—it’s healthier to be with that on your skin than without.” (48:12)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “My mom was a chemist…her office was full of chemistry, science, photography, and technical drawing. So this is kind of my world.” (02:10)
• “Painting was a part of self-expression: it helped me relax and get calm… psychological therapy for me.” (04:55)
• “I don’t run after trends—I create evergreens.…The Biba palette is good for always.” (10:00)
• “Inclusivity is…the most important thing…I cannot bear the feeling that somebody will feel excluded.” (10:25)
• “For an indie brand to create 52 shades…It wasn’t even a negotiation. I do what I think is right.” (13:05)
• “The product itself has to be the star. People should not purchase because of me…if they really love it, they will get it.” (24:33)
• “When young people want to start…a makeup artist or a brand and I’m an inspiration for them—this is something else. This touches my heart.” (27:15)
• “You should always…stay true to your brand. And innovate.” (34:30)
• “Everything’s made from scratch. I’m super happy and proud—I can say it’s hard for me to say that, but it’s true.” (41:26)

Segment Timestamps

• Natasha’s early influences & family background: (00:57 – 03:28)
• Color theory and path to makeup artistry: (04:18 – 07:12)
• Inclusivity and product philosophy: (08:03 – 11:13)
• Complexion range development: (12:04 – 14:57)
• Creativity vs. trend-chasing: (15:39 – 17:46)
• Blush & highlighter palette innovation: (18:00 – 20:35)
• Entrepreneurship, visibility, and authenticity: (21:45 – 26:40)
• Industry inspiration, legacy, and influence: (26:40 – 29:42)
• Advice for entrepreneurs: (33:05 – 36:12)
• Science, R&D, formulation process: (39:52 – 45:25)
• Skincare-makeup hybrids, skin health: (45:25 – 48:20)
• Sneak peek at future launches and closing: (48:45 – 49:08)

Tone & Language

The conversation is warm, reflective, and brimming with genuine admiration from host to guest. Natasha’s responses are humble, passionate, and honest—often highlighting the emotional and ethical core of her brand decisions. The dialogue is candid but laden with valuable, actionable insight for beauty lovers and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Final Takeaway

Natasha Denona’s story exemplifies the power of authenticity, relentless innovation, and staying connected to both art and science. Her approach—intentionally eschewing trend-chasing for creation of “evergreens,” deeply involving herself in formulation R&D, and prioritizing inclusivity—has built a brand that endures and inspires. Her advice to new founders: STAY TRUE, adapt thoughtfully, and don’t fear failure.

Exciting News for Listeners:
Natasha hints at upcoming innovations in the lip category and continued advances in complexion—a testament to her never-ending creative spirit. (48:53)

Follow @skincareanarchy for future episodes and more insights into the art & science of beauty.