Skin Anarchy Episode Summary: Liis Fragrance Founders Share How Scent Can Become Your Second Skin

Podcast Information:

• Title: Skin Anarchy
• Host: Dr. Ekta
• Episode: Liis Fragrance Founders Share How Scent Can Become Your Second Skin
• Release Date: March 28, 2025

I. Introduction to Liis Fragrance Founders

In this episode of Skin Anarchy, host Dr. Ekta introduces listeners to Elisa and Leslie, the passionate founders behind Liis Fragrance. Dr. Ekta expresses her admiration for Liis Fragrance, highlighting its niche luxury and ability to create scents that feel like a "second skin" (00:00-00:52). Elisa and Leslie join the conversation to delve deeper into their journey and the essence of their brand.

II. The Origins of Liis Fragrance

Elisa shares the heartfelt story of how she and Leslie met, bonding over a shared childhood passion for perfumes in Marin County, north of San Francisco (00:52-01:54). Their academic pursuits further cemented their friendship—Elisa completing her master's at the prestigious perfume school in Versailles, and Leslie planning to attend Central St. Martin in Europe (01:54-02:36). This mutual dedication to fragrance art and design laid the foundation for Liis Fragrance.

III. The Art and Science of Fragrance Creation

Dr. Ekta probes into the creative sparks that led to the inception of Liis Fragrance. Leslie emphasizes the duo's realization of complementary skill sets, describing their partnership as "yin and yang" (02:36-03:20). She elaborates on fragrance as a medium for storytelling, akin to writing or painting, allowing them to craft personal and expressive narratives through scent (03:20-04:40).

Elisa adds a scientific perspective, discussing how scents are transformative and intricately tied to human emotions and identities. She mentions their intention to create fragrances based on notes they personally adore, ensuring each scent is both meaningful and enjoyable (04:40-05:05).

IV. Sustainability and Clean Formulation

Dr. Ekta inquires about Liis Fragrance’s commitment to clean and sustainable practices. Elisa explains their dedication to high-quality, sustainable materials and packaging, despite the challenges and higher costs associated with such choices (06:22-06:50). Leslie reinforces this by discussing their use of FSC materials and the difficulty in finding sustainable packaging suppliers without compromising their eco-friendly values (06:50-07:18).

V. Launching the Brand: Key Fragrances

When discussing their initial launch, Elisa reveals that while they developed eight fragrances, they chose to debut with three: Bow, Studied, and Rosetruck. This selection was driven by their desire to offer a diverse range that resonated personally with both founders while staying within their self-funded capabilities (07:18-08:05). Leslie mentions that the remaining fragrances were introduced subsequently, expanding their collection based on early successes.

VI. Spotlight on Lucien: A Personal Scent Story

Dr. Ekta highlights her favorite fragrance, Lucien, praising its ability to evoke vivid memories (08:05-09:33). Leslie details the inspiration behind Lucien, describing it as a scent inspired by light with notes of pomelo, lemon zest, dragon fruit, magnolia, water lily, and marine accord (08:27-09:30). She explains the personal connection to the name "Lucien," derived from Elisa's mother's middle name, and its meaning related to light (09:30-09:33).

VII. The Philosophy of Layering and Wearability

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the layerable nature of Liis Fragrance’s scents. Dr. Ekta appreciates how the fragrances meld seamlessly with skin and other products, avoiding the overpowering presence she dislikes in other perfumes (09:33-10:10). Leslie echoes this sentiment, emphasizing their intention for the scents to be "sheer and layerable," allowing wearers to create personalized scent experiences without the fragrance overwhelming their presence (10:12-11:08).

VIII. Audience Interpretation and Feedback

Elisa and Leslie share their excitement over how different individuals interpret their fragrances. Leslie mentions creative interpretations from social media, such as pairing scents with sorority girls or identifying the "Northern California" vibe of their perfumes (13:07-14:27). Elisa adds that seeing how people relate the scents to personal experiences, like associating a fragrance with a movie character, reinforces the personal storytelling aspect of their brand (14:27-15:13).

IX. Longevity and Scientific Considerations

Dr. Ekta inquires about the longevity of lighter, clean fragrances. Elisa clarifies the structure of their scents, explaining that top notes (like citrus) provide the initial impression, while middle and base notes ensure the fragrance lingers throughout the day (11:33-13:28). She notes that their fragrances are formulated as eau de parfum, containing higher oil concentrations to enhance longevity without relying on synthetic additives (13:07-13:28).

X. Authenticity and Personal Storytelling in Fragrance

The conversation delves into the importance of authenticity in fragrance creation. Both founders stress that drawing inspiration from their personal experiences makes their scents genuine and relatable. Elisa reflects on the significance of crafting fragrances that resonate personally, enabling consumers to find a connection with the brand (19:12-20:25). Leslie adds that focusing on everyday inspirations has allowed them to authentically connect with a diverse audience (20:25-20:56).

XI. Future Endeavors and Product Expansion

Looking ahead, Leslie shares exciting news about their upcoming Body Care line, set to launch in the fall, including products like liquid soap (20:56-21:11). This expansion signifies Liis Fragrance’s commitment to providing a holistic sensory experience beyond perfumes.

XII. Final Thoughts

Dr. Ekta concludes the episode by expressing her heartfelt appreciation for Liis Fragrance’s unique approach to scent creation. She praises the brand’s ability to craft fragrances that are both simple and complex, deeply personal yet universally appealing (21:11-21:54). Listeners are encouraged to explore Liis Fragrance and experience the authentic, second-skin scents for themselves.

Notable Quotes:

• "Fragrance is a medium for storytelling. Just like writing or painting or photography." — Leslie (03:20)

• "We wanted them to be super wearable. You wear the scent, the scent doesn't wear you." — Elisa (10:55)

• "Creating fragrances that we would wear and that are inspired by our personal experiences in our backyard." — Leslie (16:14)

• "The authenticity kind of comes through because we were looking in our own experiences for inspiration." — Elisa (19:12)

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This episode offers a deep dive into the heartfelt and scientific journey of Liis Fragrance founders, emphasizing authenticity, sustainability, and personal storytelling in the world of niche perfumery. Whether you're a fragrance enthusiast or new to the beauty-science intersection, this conversation provides valuable insights into creating scents that truly resonate and linger like a second skin.