Have you ever considered a more natural approach to your beauty routine? What about actually making your own botanical beauty products? You don't need to be a biologist to make this possible. Today's guest, Lorraine Dellmeier, explains how indie beauty, including making your own natural products, can have a massive impact on your skin and hair. The best part? The secret ingredient is something we all have access to; love.

The definition of indie beauty is:

Indie beauty

/ˈɪndi/ /ˈbjuːti/

noun

1. Independently owned beauty brands and retailers.

Create Your Own Botanical Beauty Products with Lorraine Dallmeier

What if you could take your skincare routine into your own hands—literally? Lorraine Dallmeier, the CEO of Formula Botanica, is doing just that, empowering people worldwide to create organic skincare and haircare products from scratch. Whether you're a busy mom or someone intrigued by natural beauty solutions, Lorraine's story and expertise open up a whole new world where beauty meets simplicity, sustainability, and self-reliance.

Transforming Skincare with Formula Botanica

Lorraine Dallmeier leads Formula Botanica, an online organic cosmetic formulation school headquartered in the UK. But here's the twist—they don't sell beauty products. Instead, they teach others how to make them. With nine courses covering everything from skincare to haircare, their goal is simple: give people the tools to create their own beauty products and even start their own brands.

In just seven years, Formula Botanica has taught almost 13,000 students across 176 countries. Their community is diverse, from hobbyists seeking natural solutions to budding entrepreneurs creating beauty empires. Lorraine is challenging the myth that you need a chemistry degree or a lab coat to understand beauty formulations. According to her, anyone can formulate—just like anyone can cook.

Finding Her Path During Maternity Leave

Lorraine’s story began while she was on maternity leave in 2010. Exhausted but inspired, she took a leap after watching a TV show where contestants developed an iPhone app. Lorraine thought, “If they can do it, so can I.” That idea sparked her first endeavor: a DIY beauty recipe app that found global success and media attention.

From there, her journey took a surprising turn. A biologist with a master’s in environmental sustainability, Lorraine wanted to combine her love of plants and her entrepreneurial spirit. After taking a small course with Formula Botanica herself, she eventually purchased the school while raising her two young children. What started as a small side hustle grew into a life-changing venture.

The Magic of Organic and Botanical Skincare

Many of us overlook the true potential of natural ingredients in skincare. Lorraine emphasizes that botanical oils, butters, and waxes can work wonders for skin and hair. These products often appeal to people with sensitive skin or stubborn conditions that traditional treatments can’t seem to fix.

What sets botanical skincare apart? Love. Indie beauty brands, many started by Formula Botanica graduates, pour their passion into every product. Lorraine believes this personal touch makes a difference, something that big corporations can’t replicate.

She also points out the pitfalls of mainstream beauty products, which often contain cheap fillers and excess water to cut costs. In contrast, natural formulations focus on high-quality botanical ingredients. Plus, buying from indie brands supports small businesses while giving consumers better transparency about what they're putting on their skin.

Where to Start

Feeling inspired but overwhelmed? Creating your own skincare doesn’t have to be complicated. Lorraine recommends starting small:

1. Buy a single botanical oil. Use a tiny amount, like rosehip or argan oil, as a serum after cleansing.
2. Experiment with a simple recipe. Try making a lip balm with beeswax, shea butter, and almond oil. Melt everything together in a double boiler, pour it into a container, and wait for it to set. Easy!
3. Stock up on quality ingredients. Shop online at places like Mountain Rose Herbs or From Nature With Love for small quantities of oils, waxes, and butters.

Lorraine insists that if you can cook dinner, you can make beauty products. It’s empowering, and it’s fun. Once you get started, you may never look at store-bought skincare the same way again.

What's Trending in Beauty

The beauty industry is shifting. In 2021 and beyond, trends like "skinnimalism" are encouraging us to simplify our routines. Think fewer products that serve multiple purposes—like moisturizers that double as cleansers or bars that work as both shampoo and body wash.

Another key focus is sustainability. The industry is addressing issues like overconsumption, unnecessary packaging, and ingredient sourcing. Consumers now want products that align with their values, including inclusivity and diversity. Indie brands are leading the way, often setting trends that even global giants are following.

What About Your Current Products?

If your bathroom is overflowing with half-used skincare, don't sweat it. Lorraine suggests using up what you own before transitioning. That way, you're not wasting money. Once you’ve cleared some space, reassess what you actually need. Chances are, it’s far less than what’s currently on your shelf.

She also encourages shopping with small brands. Supporting an indie beauty maker means helping your local economy while investing in thoughtful, sustainable products.

Why Now Is the Time to Reconnect with Nature

It’s incredible how often modern beauty products overlook the things nature already offers us. Essential oils and botanical ingredients have been around for centuries. Lorraine points out that historical beauty recipes dating back to the 1500s included oils like olive oil, proving that this return to natural beauty isn’t a trend—it’s a homecoming.

By making your own formulations or choosing natural products, you’re not just adding items to your bathroom shelf. You’re also participating in something timeless and deeply rooted in sustainability and love.

Conclusion

Lorraine Dallmeier’s journey with Formula Botanica is inspiring women worldwide to rethink beauty. Whether you’re curious about crafting your own products or simply want to explore alternatives to mainstream brands, her message is clear: natural beauty is accessible, rewarding, and empowering.

So why not try? Test out a simple recipe, explore indie skincare brands, or take a baby step toward simplifying your routine. The world of botanical beauty is waiting—and it might just change the way you see skincare forever.

About Lorraine Dallmeier

Lorraine Dallmeier is the award-winning CEO of Formula Botanica, the online organic cosmetic formulation, and business school, which has trained over 10,000 organic cosmetic formulators and indie beauty entrepreneurs in 160+ countries. Through their accredited online courses, Formula Botanica has seen thousands of its graduates launch indie beauty brands, many of which are now stocked by retailers globally, have won awards, and receive rave reviews from their customers. The school empowers people all over the world by teaching them the skills they need to change their lives through organic formulation and indie beauty entrepreneurship. Formula Botanica is also a green beauty publishing platform and welcomes hundreds of thousands of readers to its popular blog and Green Beauty Conversations podcast each month.