Show Notes:

In this episode of the Beyond Beauty Podcast, Leah Hundsness, Founder of Maxine's Revenge, shares her journey from the tech industry to the beauty sector, emphasizing the importance of representation for women over 50. Leah discusses her motivations for starting her brand, the challenges faced, and the opportunities that arose, particularly during the pandemic. She highlights the need to rewrite societal narratives about aging and the significance of resilience. The conversation encourages listeners to embrace their unique journeys and dream big, regardless of age.

About Leah:

Leah's first beauty job was as the Marketing Director for Sephora.com in 1998 when Sephora first came to the US. She went on to work for Smashbox, Sephora Paris, Too Faced, Sephora Singapore, Too Faced, Gucci Beauty Paris, and now, Maxine's Revenge in Southern California.

Leah has tested thousands of formulas in makeup and skincare over decades of working with brands all over the world. Maxine's Revenge is inspired by the unfussy French makeup style she fell in love with when living there. The look is a clean, even complexion, makeup that's subtle and elegant. The Parisians with this style were not wall flowers. They were leaders of the most prestigious fashion, beauty and creative companies in Paris and were well over 40+. They looked comfortable in their skin, with or without wrinkles, with or without silver hair.

Leah described this confidence as intoxicating and exciting, saying "It's a vibe I want for all of us -- even my younger sisters, who don't even realize they're subconsciously freaking out by the notion that once their skin isn't tight and plump, it's all over. I'm here to prove them wrong, for their own sake, on many levels."

Time Stamps:

Starting in the Beauty Industry (00:01:51)

Leah reflects on her initial steps into the beauty sector and launching her brand.

Discovering Sephora (00:03:07)

Leah shares the serendipitous moment that led her to Sephora's marketing team.

Staying Dynamic in Beauty (00:06:57)

Leah emphasizes the importance of connecting with customers to understand trends.

Creating a Brand for Women Over 50 (00:12:04)

Leah identifies a gap in the market for beauty products catering to older women.

Rewriting Societal Narratives (00:14:50)

Leah discusses her mission to change the narrative around aging and beauty.

The Reality of Starting a Business Later in Life (00:16:27)

Leah reflects on the challenges and advantages of entrepreneurship at 50.

Different Chapters of Life (00:18:02)

The discussion highlights the beauty of various life stages and experiences.

Pamela Anderson as a Role Model (00:19:07)

Leah uses Pamela Anderson as an example of redefining beauty standards with age.

Maxine's Revenge and Positive Energy (00:20:09)

Leah connects her brand's philosophy to resilience and empowerment for women.

The Importance of Taking Risks (00:22:16)

Leah and the host Anne discuss how risks and failures contribute to personal growth.

Introducing Maxine's Revenge (27:29)

The meaning behind the brand name and its connection to personal empowerment.

Scrappy Start (31:04)

The importance of starting small and building a community before launching products.

Authenticity Over Expertise (34:40)

The dangers of relying too much on experts and the value of personal involvement.

Building and Embracing the Roughness (00:43:15)

Leah discusses the importance of launching beta products and the challenges of team management.

Final Thoughts and Future Goals (00:46:09)

Anne asks Leah about her current perspective on life and her future aspirations.

Brand Vision and Personal Pride (00:48:08)

Leah shares her vision for her brand and her pride in aging gracefully.

This podcast is produced by Dillie: a content innovation partner leveraging AI to bring beauty and personal care brands into the future of marketing.

https://dillie.com/