Pan-African beauty Featuring Conny Oberrauter
featuring Conny Oberrauter
Get to know the founder of The Cosmetics Chef, who took her expert skills and knowledge in formulation to help others produce high-quality beauty products in the comfort of their home.
How did you start out?
A friend of mine sparked the idea. I bought a Thermomix, which is a great kitchen appliance that can do so much. My friend asked me if we could make cosmetics in it, and I instantly said no. In my mind, you had to have a special lab with technical equipment to produce decent products. Why on earth would I make cosmetics in the kitchen? But the seed was sown, and after a few days I started playing around. I took decades of research and development experience and applied that to making products more easily, using everyday ingredients. That’s when I decided to publish a recipe book with all the tips and tricks to make incredible products at home. The business grew from there. I started oering workshops and made more premium products available. I also wanted people to know more about the actual science behind cosmetics.
What were the challenges you encountered on the way?
My biggest challenge was overcoming self-doubt. I still battle with it, and I think it’s common for women to question their own capabilities. Believing in my idea and taking it forward was incredibly scary. I was scared about the industry’s reaction when starting The Cosmetics Chef. I was wary that my fellow professionals would be outraged by my business. As it turned out, the opposite was true. The industry has been very supportive. The main feedback was, “It’s about time someone did something dierent.” My expertise is in the lab, so I had to learn more about building a viable business beyond that. Another challenge was that I compare myself with others. It’s easy to see someone else’s success and feel like an underachiever. I have to remind myself that I don’t see their struggles behind closed doors, either.
What are your top sellers?
My recipe book, The Cosmetics Chef: Crafting Cosmetics in your Kitchen (thecosmeticschef.com; R350), and the Supreme Skin Serum (R230).
What goals have you set for your business?
I would love to expand the business on a global level. I want everybody in the world to have the freedom of making their own amazing beauty products suited to their needs.
What is your personal beauty mantra? Correct nutrition is the first step to great skin. Second: never go to sleep with makeup. No matter how tired I am, how great the party was, or how late it is, I will always wash my face. Your skin needs rest as often as you do. Let it breathe and rejuvenate. And always wear sunscreen. No matter what skin tone you have, wear at least SPF30. Prevention is better than cure.
What motivates you to be successful? My drive is to help women in their quest to have the best cosmetic products for their skin as possible. Once every woman has this, then I will be successful.
What percentage of your products are organic and how has it contributed to the success of your business?
I strive to have a balanced approach to everything in life. Cosmetics is the same. I do use some organic ingredients in my kits. The rest is natural or naturally derived. I use natural and organic because that’s what works well for my skin. I also choose ingredients based on how sustainable they are and how easy they are to source.