One of the great ironies of modern self care is that the clean beauty reminds us to embrace the earliest beautifying elixirs derived from nature’s bounty. Advanced ancient civilizations, from the Egyptians and the Greeks to the Persians and Romans, valued the rose as the diva of skin-loving properties. In the form of water-based hydrosols, fragrances, and essential oils, the rose has reigned supreme for centuries.
With documented antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, age-disrupting, and moisturizing benefits, the rose is more than just a skin care powerhouse. While roses were incorporated into all manner of potions, creams, and lotions for centuries, it’s been equally valued for its spirit-centering uses. Many botanical traditions value the rose for its calming, grounding effect, ability to ward off negative vibrations, and spark love – for others, the universe, and even oneself.
In honor of the centrality of the rose as a unique beautifying and healing botanical, Brahmi Skincare – named after the female version of the ultimate divine spirit – has launched a targeted, minimalist, rose-based collection to harness the many powers of this mythic flower.
In a base of oleic-rich Camellia Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Evening Primrose Seed Oil, Avocado Oil, Calendula Oil, Rose Essence is combined with essential oils of Lavender, Bergamot and another floral powerhouse Jasmine oil, the Divine Rose Face Serum deeply moisturizes, repairs the skin barrier, and aids in the healing process for a naturally nourished radiance. It’s best applied to clean skin as the first step in Brahmi’s Divine Rose-based regimen, followed by The Divine Rose Cream. In a base of Aloe Juice, Witch Hazel, Green tea extract, Neem, Coconut, and Jojoba oils, it quenches the most parched skin on first application. Rich in the requisite Rose Oil, as well as Jasmine Oil, anti-bacterial lauric acid from coconuts, Vitamins A, D, E, anti-oxidants, and the healing compounds in Neem oil, it tackles a myriad of skin care concerns in a waterless, completely botanically-derived, clean, vegan formulation.
For targeted age disrupting care, the 11:11 Magic Balm and Divine Rose Lip Plumping Balm address those pesky forehead 11 lines and loss of lip hydration and volume with tried-and-true essential oils. The mint-forward sensation of the 11:11 Magic Balm cools and refreshes on contact. The Rose Lip Plumping Balm takes a holistic approach, developed in response to the cold climate, to lip care minus the sting of peptides serums.
The entire Brahmi line developed in ski-bunny central Whistler by Lily Chandra, an AAPI entrepreneur, psychic, and holistic healer comes with an added bonus. Lily mixes and packages each product with Cosmetic Energy Healing, essentially a mix of good vibrations and intentions – love for oneself, a sentiment often in short supply in the making and marketing of beauty products.
With a product launch event in Tribeca, I was lucky enough to spend time chatting with Lily over organic rose tea, the leaves of which she used for one of her famed Vedic tea-leaf readings about life, love, and career, as well as journey into botanical healing and entrepreneurship. (I was scheduled for one of Lily’s legendary healing manifestation facials but the MTA and its delays removed that from my schedule.)
Q&A
1. There’s no official designation for wellness or clean beauty – how do you define them personally and as an entrepreneur?
Wellness to me means being centered in myself and balanced in my life. Feeling full to give and happy to do so. Wellness is feeling complete in my body, mind and soul.
2. What are your favorite viral social media skin care hacks? What are the viral social media hacks that you think are the most dangerous?
I am actually not on social media much as I feel a lot of what is portrayed on it is not the full picture. Personally, I tend to shop in stores and try products that people recommend. I’m very natural and minimalist so I have a simple skincare routine. This is reflected in our brand.
3. The beauty and wellness industries are sometimes criticized for fostering women’s insecurities about their appearance and exploiting that insecurity for profit, while others see the beauty/wellness industry as empowering. Where do you fall in this debate?
My focus has always been on empowering people and helping people see their strengths. There is a balance of providing a need and making a profit. Businesses need to find this delicate balance to ethically offer people goods and services while maintaining integrity. This is an important part of Brahmi’s business model.
4. Was your line born out of frustration with the existing marketplace? Or were you motivated to address a specific need not addressed by most brands?
I grew up with eczema and have been using clean beauty products for over 3 decades now. I created my signature Cosmetic Energy Healing® Facial over a decade ago and tried many skincare lines on the market. I started my own line because I couldn’t find a high quality organic and vegan product that came in sustainable glass jars that could carry the vibration of my energy healing.
I wanted a product that used the best ingredients that were food grade and focused on functional ingredients and used only fair trade essential oils. This is how Brahmi was born.
5. What was your eureka moment, when you knew deep-down that it was the time in your life, and in the market, to start your own business?
My clients often asked me if I had my own face cream and I kept saying no, I am an energy healer and psychic. During the pandemic I had time and I used my creative energy to create Brahmi. Originally I created the line for my Cosmetic Energy Healing® Facials and clients. Quickly I learnt that there was a huge market for organic products that focus on sustainability and merge wellness plus spirituality.
6. Do you have formal business training, such as an MBA, or a similar degree in chemistry? Or is your professional background mostly in the beautysphere?
I studied business at BCIT in Canada over 20 years ago and I use those tools to research the market, understand customer profiles and market trends. There was a lot to learn but I understood the fundamentals of how to bring a product to market. My business background has definitely been a key to my success.
7. Is sustainability compatible with ROI and business growth?
I believe it is but there is a lot of educating the consumer. People naturally gravitate towards lower priced items but when they understand why another product is priced higher, they may change their choices. I find that a lot of what I am doing is educating people on what is in their skincare and bringing awareness. Once this becomes clear, people naturally are open to purchasing higher priced goods.
8. Where do you see or hope to see the beauty and wellness industry in a few years?
Brahmi’s beauty philosophy is “Beauty is falling in love with yourself”
We like to remind people that you are the main character in your life and that you are amazing. Owning your energy and radiating this to the world is beauty.
I believe it is important for people to connect with their sacred energy and shine their divine light with the world. As we all feel comfortable to do, we will be happier inside and have fuller lives plus the world will be a better place.
It is imperative that the beauty industry shifts their narrative to empower women and support future generations for the wellness of the planet.
9. In addition to clean formulations and sustainable practices, diversity is one of the hottest trends in beauty and wellness. How does Brahmi Skincare approach/embrace diversity?
Brahmi Skincare is a proud 100% female and South Asian owned business. As a first generation Canadian that was brought up in a Hindu household, I celebrate both my Canadian and South Asian heritage. The name Brahmi is the feminine version of the Hindu, Brahma, the god that created the universe. It signifies that you create your reality.
Our products are all proudly made in Canada and we intricately weave both the east and west into our brand identity. I believe that it is important to honor our heritage as it is a part of identity. This connection has brought me fullness in my heart and I love sharing my culture through my brand.
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Previous Q&As in the Female Entrepreneur in Clean Beauty Series:
Read Part 1 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Glow Bar CEO HERE.
Read Part 2 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Uzima CEO HERE.
Read Part 3 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Kinship CEO HERE.
Read Part 4 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Raw Sugar Living CEO HERE.
Read Part 5 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Alchimie Forever CEO HERE.
Read Part 6 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Kindness Powered Skincaee CEO HERE.
Read Part 7 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Iles Formula CEO HERE.
Read Part 8 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Blessed Bananas CEO HERE.
Read Part 9 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Exoceuticals CEO HERE.
Read Part 10 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Nekko CEOs HERE.
Read Part 11 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Made By Dentists CEO HERE.
Read Part 12 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the MrayaBeauty CEO HERE.
Read Part 13 in the “Female Founders Q&A” series with the Sonela Beauty CEO HERE.
