Podcast 193: Vintner’s Daughter and the power of classic cult beauty

In guest episodes of Green Beauty Conversation, we explore the stories, insights, and experiences of remarkable individuals who are making waves in the beauty industry. This episode fits this mission to perfection as we hear about the enlightening journey into the world of skincare and beauty of April Gargiulo, a visionary and entrepreneur who is the founder of the cult beauty brand Vintner’s Daughter.

In the shifting landscape of a beauty industry seduced by trends, April stands out as a trailblazer, redefining the industry’s standards with her innovative, yet also timeless approach to skincare. Armed with a passion for wellness and a commitment to empowering individuals to embrace their natural beauty, April has carved a unique niche for herself creating a contemporary brand that echoes the success of classic cult beauty products of the past.

Join Formula Botanica CEO and podcast host Lorraine Dallmeier as she interviews April Gargiulo about her unique approach to beauty that sees Vintner’s Daughter infuse its formulations with the philosophy of wine making. In this episode, April shares her journey, the inspiration behind Vintner’s Daughter, and how she has stayed true to her vision despite industry pressures. Get ready for a fascinating conversation that goes beyond skincare into the realms of slow beauty and sustainability.

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Key quote from April Gargiulo

We move at the speed of quality. Positive beauty for us means that we are not using words that create fear and insecurity.

In this episode with April Gargiulo, you will hear:

• The story behind Vintner’s Daughter: how April’s background in wine making, personal skincare journey and pregnancy led to the creation of Vintner’s Daughter.
• The Vintner’s Daughter unique approach to skincare formulations: why April focuses on three core ingredients in every product.
• The behind-the-scenes narrative: how April’s vision materialised into a skincare empire, challenging conventions and setting new benchmarks in the industry.
• Her holistic beauty philosophy: explore April’s holistic approach to beauty and well-being, understanding how she navigates the delicate balance between science-backed formulations and the emotional aspects of self-care.
• How April’s brand goes beyond skincare: how Vintner’s Daughter empowers individuals to embrace their unique beauty and foster a sense of confidence that transcends physical appearance.

Key takeouts include:

• Slow beauty philosophy: Vintner’s Daughter embraces the concept of “moving at the speed of quality,” taking inspiration from wine making, where shortcuts are never taken, and the focus is on the finest raw materials.
• Three core ingredients: dandelion, nettle, and alfalfa, known as the “foods of life,” form the foundation of Vintner’s Daughter’s formulations, providing nutrient-rich whole plants for optimal skincare.
• Discipline in the product line: with only three products in ten years, Vintner’s Daughter challenges the industry norm of constant new releases, emphasising the effectiveness and quality of their carefully crafted formulations.
• Positive beauty approach: Vintner’s Daughter rejects fear-inducing language, opting for positive beauty that celebrates natural beauty without using words like “fix,” “improve,” or “correct.”

Meet our guest: April Gargiulo

April Gargiulo, founder of Vintner’s Daughter, leads a skincare revolution, combining her experience in the precision business of fine wine-making with a commitment to unparalleled quality. Launched in 2013, the brand skyrocketed with the cult-favorite Active Botanical Serum. In January 2023, April unveiled the game-changing Active Renewal Cleanser, completing the brand’s acclaimed three-step routine.

A trailblazer in sustainability, April drove Vintner’s Daughter to B Corp certification, channeling 2% of revenue to charities. A sought-after speaker on beauty innovation, April’s influence extends to major events like In Goop Health and WWD BeautyVest. With a passion for promoting a positive and inclusive beauty ethos, April continues to shape the industry, all while savoring the wisdom and elegance of nature in San Francisco and Napa Valley with her family.

Find April Gargiulo and Vintner’s Daughter:
Vintnersdaughter.com
@Vintnersdaughter @april_gargiulo on Instagram

If you want to hear more from other beauty brand founders who do things slightly differently, please do delve back into the podcast archives. Go and listen to:

Episode 137: The beauty brand that wants us to buy less – in which I interview Melodie Reynolds of Elate Cosmetics on her mission to get her customers to buy less.
Episode 109: A beauty refill business where bigger is better – with Tara Pelletier of Meow Meow Tweet on the way the brand helps its customers reduce consumption by going for bulk buys.
Episode 87: Selling skincare while sinking carbon – with Formula Botanica graduates and founders of BYBI Beauty Elsie and Dominika, on their mission to create carbon negative formulations.

Thank you for joining us for this episode of the Formula Botanica Green Beauty Conversations podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please share, subscribe and review this episode on iTunes, Spotify or Youtube so that more people can enjoy the show. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Lorraine Dallmeier is a Biologist, Chartered Environmentalist and the CEO of Formula Botanica, the award-winning online organic cosmetic science school. Read more about Lorraine and the Formula Botanica Team.