Violet Botanical Skincare
Los Angeles, California
Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do:
Robbin: Violet Botanical Skincare
Photo Credit: Dwayne Turner
I am a lover of all things plant-based, non-toxic, and unfussy. I'm inspired by ancestral traditions reimagined for the modern world.
In 2014, I began researching natural remedies to help relieve my husband's and son’s eczema. Slathering themselves in steroid creams filled with toxic petrochemicals and synthetics was not an option.
Guided by my grandmother's homemade remedies, African remedies passed down from generation to generation, I handcrafted my first body butter. My educational journey into botanical formulation and Violet Botanical Skincare was born.
Let us know more about your business name - how did you come up with it?
My business name, Violet Botanical Skincare, honors the rich history of ancient Egyptian royalty and their love of botanicals, which my skincare line is founded upon. Violet flowers can vary from violet to blue pigments. Violet pigment represents royalty--pharaohs and queens. Blue pigment represents the Nile River and the heavens. Blue was a very sacred color for the ancient Egyptians. That's why some ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics of pharaohs and queens are depicted with blue hair or faces. They wanted to be seen as gods.
What is your signature style / item? How did it become so?
My signature item is our body butter. It was the first product in my line. When I tested it on family and friends (no animals were harmed), they were hooked. They loved the light, fluffy consistency that melts into the skin immediately without leaving a greasy feeling.
What makes your business unique to the industry?
Violet Botanical Skincare is unique because I use rare Nilotica Shea Butter from Uganda. It's a softer shea butter that melts on contact with your skin. I do not have to externally melt it to work with it. Therefore, my body butters retain all of their nutrients to nourish your skin and hair.
We also use exotic oils like Kalahari Melon Seed, Marula, Mongongo, and Baobab from Southern Africa. These oils are non-drying, thin oils that are fast-absorbing, rich in vitamins, protein, and essential fatty acids. They are excellent oils for skin protection and hydration. They also revitalize and strengthen dry, damaged and fragile hair.
The products work well for all skin types. People can feel and see the difference in their skin with consistent use.
What's been your biggest roadblock when it comes to business and how have you been able to overcome?
My biggest roadblock has been getting people to understand the amount of harmful chemicals they're exposed to daily in their beloved heritage brands.
When people grow up using a product because several generations have used it, it's hard to get them to try something new.
To overcome this challenge, I start by educating them about the benefits of plant-based ingredients. I explain that our bodies are well-oiled machines, if we let them do what they're capable of doing. They like to take natural ingredients and break them down. That's how our bodies are built.
I also share DIY videos and skincare tips via email and on social media.
How has your business had to adapt amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic? What are you doing to navigate the situation?
We are an online business so we weren't affected too much in that regard. Our biggest concern we had to contend with was getting supplies. We source our ingredients from Southern Africa. When the borders closed, we were unable to get ingredients for a couple of months.
To navigate this situation, when ingredients become available, we buy larger quantities.
What is your favorite part of what you do?
My favorite part of what I do is educating people. I'm passionate about answering their questions, helping them understand and navigate making better skin care choices.
I love getting random emails or direct messages asking skin care questions. Sometimes I get questions about beauty categories unrelated to my business. I get a kick out of researching, learning, and sharing the information I discovered with others.
What is your *must do* local activity?
My must do local activity is jogging through Kenneth Hahn park with my running group. I always notice something new when we jog through there-a new trail, a new butterfly garden, a different scenic view of Los Angeles, etc.
Where to find Violet Botanical Skincare:
Website: https://www.violetbody.net
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/violetbodyme
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/violetbodyme