The Happi Podcast: Dr. Melynda Barnes, Ro Derm

It’s been said that difficult roads can lead to beautiful destinations.

Julie Longyear, owner of 15-year-old skin care brand Blissoma, had been enduring migraines and irritation as the result of her sensitive skin. Though starting her career in ceramics, these issues propelled her into the world of herbal chemistry. 

In this Indie Inc series, Longyear discusses how efficacy and sustainably go hand-in-hand, in addition to her work with compostable herbs and mindfulness with regards the amount extracted from different plant sources. Products are cruelty-free, vegan, made with solar power, organic and free from petrochemicals. 

Mary Engle, executive vice president, policy, of the Better Business Bureau, discusses fake reviews and testimonials ahead of the Federal Trade Commission’s informal hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 13 on its proposed rule banning the same.

Steve Capitani, president, of men's grooming company Wild Willies, discusses the brand's partnership with The NIL House on Brinx.TV and the secret to the brand's wild success. 

In the world of oral care, consumers are going the extra mile to achieve a million-dollar smile, and they’re buying into novel ways to do it: from purple toothpaste to LED teeth whiteners, oil pulling and more.

As we head into 2024, innovation is at the forefront of product development, and sustainable packaging in the face of climate change. When it comes to creating a dental product that aims to kill two birds with one stone, husband and wife duo Deepti and Wells Brambl, an engineer and former toxicologist by trade, have created B Corp-certified oral care brand Kaylaan. Loosely translated from Nepalese as a wish for good health, the brand’s hero product is its vegan toothpaste tablets – which, when chomped – create a toothpaste, and teeth get brushed with a toothbrush. The result? Clean teeth and fresh breath without the mess of excess toothpaste in the sink, tubes, boxes, and caps. Sound convincing? Kaylaan’s Deepti Brambl gives us something to chew on. 

ResearchAndMarkets.com projects the stain remover market to reach $6.1 billion by 2027 with a CAGR rate of 5.4%. Analysts say awareness of laundry hygiene in the wake of global health concerns coupled with an increase in innovative packaging options and environmentally conscious stain removers are circulating its growth. Indie fabric protectant brand ProofPlus is championing foolproof sustainability and safety from shoe-proof to home and baby-proof as evinced in its name.

Happi sits down with ProofPlus CEO, 25-year-old David Zamarin, who talks to us about his household cleaning brand, the establishment of which all stemmed from restoring a pristine pair of Air Jordans.

Loss of a friend to breast cancer inspired celebrity makeup artist Holly Eve to make her own powder deodorant called Madame Lemy. 

Former L'Oreal model Fancy Acholonu used the power of fragrance to cope with the loss of her mother. After creating her own intoxicating scent profile, she decided to bottle it up to help others feel just as good in a fragrance she christened, Simply Fancy.  

Don Frey, president and CEO of the Independent Beauty Association, sits down with Happi to discuss the association's take on MoCRA, state regulations, Cosmoprof North America and more. 

After he kids had an allergic reaction, mom-on-a-mission Stephanie DiPisa wanted to create a better sunscreen. A health issue shaped the development process, and now her brand, Solara Suncare, can be found at retailers like Target and Neiman Marcus.

Yashi Shrestha, head of science and research, at Novi Connect. She discusses digitizing formulation and product development with Happi’s Editorial Director Tom Branna.