Podcast Summary: Skincare Anarchy – "First Look At Marlena Stell’s Fragrance Line, Marsté"

In this engaging episode of Skincare Anarchy, host Echo welcomes back renowned beauty expert Marlena Stell to discuss her exciting new venture into the world of fragrances: Marsté. Released on December 6, 2024, this episode delves deep into Marlena’s inspiration, the creation process of her fragrance line, and her vision for the future.

1. Introduction to Marlena Stell and Marsté

The episode kicks off with Echo expressing her excitement about Marlena Stell’s latest project. “I know all of you recognize Marlena, so please welcome back Marlena Stell, who is here to talk about her new brand, Marsté,” says Echo (00:00). Marlena graciously acknowledges the warm welcome, setting the stage for an insightful conversation.

2. Marlena’s Journey into Fragrance

Marlena shares her personal journey, explaining how her passion for fragrance developed alongside her long-standing career in cosmetics. “[...] after Covid hit, I found myself not wearing makeup as much because we were inside a lot, and I was, you know, I gave birth to my daughter, and I was dealing with postpartum depression a little bit. I just wanted something as a mood booster” (00:42). This period of introspection led her to delve deeper into fragrance development as a therapeutic hobby.

Meeting Michael Nordstrom, a perfumer, was a pivotal moment. Marlena recounts, “He said, you really are doing really well at this. I could definitely tell you were passionate about this. You should take private lessons and really deep dive into that” (02:18). Opting to study locally to accommodate her family life, Marlena invested 60 hours of education, ultimately realizing that fragrance was her true calling.

3. The Essence of Marsté’s Fragrance Line

Marlena elaborates on the inspiration behind Marsté’s fragrances, emphasizing personal memories and emotional connections. “The first pieces in line fragrances are specifically centered around core memories I had when living in Paris and studying there” (03:50). She highlights three main fragrances:

a. Jardin de Luxembourg (04:38)

Inspired by the serene Jardin de Luxembourg in Paris, this light green floral scent captures the essence of leisurely weekends spent enjoying croissants and taking in the picturesque garden surroundings. Marlena describes it as “a beautiful, light, fresh, floral scent that's just very elegant and chic.”

b. Montmartre Midi (06:11)

Drawing from the artistic and gritty vibe of Montmartre, this creamy floral fragrance with a hint of spice offers a blend of honey and orange blossom. Marlena notes, “If you love florals, but you want something a little bit a hint of sexiness, a hint of an edge with it, but still floral and creamy and, like, glamorous,” making it ideal for both day and night use.

c. Unnuit Parisienne (10:21)

Capturing the glamour and ambiance of nighttime Paris, this gourmand fragrance combines amber, hazelnut, and chai spices. It's designed to evoke confidence and sophistication, perfect for important meetings or romantic evenings. “If you have a really important meeting and I just want to feel, like, confident and put together and sexy, then this is the one,” Marlena explains (10:21).

4. Customization and Layering Fragrances

A standout feature of Marsté is the ability to customize scents through layering. Marlena discusses the creation of essences that allow users to experiment and create unique fragrance profiles. “I wanted people to feel comfortable branching out of their one safe perfume that they wear all the time” (06:15). She shares her favorite combinations, such as layering Essence Mandarin with Unnuit Parisienne to achieve a glamorous, well-rounded scent for daytime wear.

Echo remarks on the practicality of this approach, noting, “It's really cool that you designed the line like that,” to which Marlena responds enthusiastically about the upcoming recipe page on their website that will guide users through various fragrance fusions (13:51).

5. Overcoming Challenges in Fragrance Development

Marlena candidly discusses the rigorous process behind creating Marsté’s fragrances. “We've been working on it for three years” (17:39), highlighting the extensive testing and refinement phases. Utilizing a diverse test group, Marlena ensured that the scents were universally appealing yet unique.

A significant challenge was balancing quality with affordability. Marlena explains, “The cost of raw materials and the fragrance oils that are in these bottles are so expensive because we actually use a pretty considerable amount of Natural raw material” (22:30). She emphasizes her commitment to providing high-quality fragrances at attainable prices, avoiding the exorbitant costs often associated with niche perfumeries.

6. Insights on the Fragrance Industry

Marlena offers a critical perspective on the broader fragrance market. She points out the lack of variety due to major brands relying on the same fragrance houses, leading to “a lot of fragrances do smell the same” (21:21). Her approach with Marsté aims to break this mold by offering unique, story-driven scents that stand out in a saturated market.

Echo appreciates this differentiation, sharing her own frustrations with generic fragrances and commending Marlena’s dedication to uniqueness and quality.

7. Future Endeavors: Expanding into Cosmetics

Looking ahead, Marlena reveals plans to re-enter the cosmetics arena with a new line of products under Marsté. “[...] the goal is to start bringing in cosmetics again. Obviously, it won't be the model of makeup geek, but it will be products that I know people trust me on and know that I can formulate well and work with reputable labs” (25:13). She assures listeners of her unwavering commitment to quality, ensuring that each product meets her high standards before launch.

8. Closing Remarks and Encouragement

Echo wraps up the episode by expressing her excitement and support for Marlena’s ventures. “It's such an honor every time hosting you and learning from you,” she shares (26:20). Marlena reciprocates the gratitude, highlighting the mutual respect and enthusiasm that define their professional relationship.

Notable Quotes

• Marlena Stell (00:42): “I just wanted something as a mood booster. So somehow during that time, I really, really got into fragrance.”

• Marlena Stell (03:50): “The first pieces in line fragrances are specifically centered around core memories I had when living in Paris and studying there.”

• Echo (07:34): “I love that you designed the line like that.”

• Marlena Stell (22:30): “The cost of raw materials and the fragrance oils that are in these bottles are so expensive because we actually use a pretty considerable amount of Natural raw material.”

Conclusion

This episode of Skincare Anarchy offers an in-depth look into Marlena Stell’s fearless expansion into the fragrance industry with her brand Marsté. From personal inspirations and meticulous creation processes to innovative customization options and future cosmetic plans, Marlena provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of her passion and dedication. Echo and Marlena’s vibrant dialogue not only highlights the uniqueness of Marsté’s offerings but also underscores a commitment to quality and accessibility in the beauty industry.

Listeners are encouraged to explore Marsté’s fragrances and join the ongoing discussion on Instagram @skincareanarchy to share their experiences and thoughts on Marlena’s latest creations.

Timestamps

1. 00:00 – Episode Introduction
2. 00:42 – Marlena’s Initial Interest in Fragrance
3. 02:18 – Deciding to Pursue Perfume Development
4. 03:50 – Inspirations Behind Marsté’s First Fragrances
5. 04:38 – Overview of Jardin de Luxembourg
6. 06:11 – Introduction to Montmartre Midi
7. 10:21 – Unnuit Parisienne Detailed Description
8. 06:15 – Customization and Layering Fragrances
9. 13:51 – Future Website Features for Fragrance Fusions
10. 17:39 – Challenges in Developing Marsté
11. 22:30 – Balancing Quality and Pricing
12. 21:21 – Industry Insights on Fragrance Homogenization
13. 25:13 – Expanding into Cosmetics
14. 26:20 – Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

For more insights and updates, follow Skincare Anarchy on Instagram @skincareanarchy and stay tuned for future episodes exploring the dynamic intersections of skincare, beauty, and social culture.