The Cosmetic Chronicles

Ep. 25 Luna Bronze (Feat. Maddy Balderson and Rhiannon Hall)

A skin cancer diagnosis changed everything. This week, I sit down with Maddy Balderson and Rhiannon Hall, co-founders of Australian self-tanning brand Luna Bronze, to talk about the moment that sparked the idea for the company — and the leap into beauty entrepreneurship. We dig into how their product line has evolved, what it's been like building a brand from the ground up, and their recent expansion into the U.S. through Ulta Beauty, eleven years after launching. A story about turning a health scare into a thriving business. Connect with me: Email: sarah@thecosmeticchronicles.com Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@glowandflowbysarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/glowandflowbysarah] Substack:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Glow + Flow Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://glowandflow.substack.com/] LTK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/glowandflowbysarah/productsets/11f0629a7b2a8512b8a00242ac110004] Connect with Luna Bronze: https://lunabronzetanning.com/ https://www.instagram.com/luna_bronze/ https://www.ulta.com/brand/luna-bronze

Beauty Bulletin: Week of 6.23.26

In this episode, I cover L’Oréal’s acquisitions and double-downing on AI, new releases from VIOLETTE_FR and Naked Sundays, e.l.f.’s new adventure in haircare, and Madonna becoming Kiko Milano’s first ever global brand ambassador. Connect with me: Email: sarah@thecosmeticchronicles.com Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@glowandflowbysarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/glowandflowbysarah] Substack:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Glow + Flow Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://glowandflow.substack.com/] LTK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/glowandflowbysarah/productsets/11f0629a7b2a8512b8a00242ac110004] Sources for this week: * https://beautynewsdaily.com/loreal-acquires-majority-stake-innovist/ [https://beautynewsdaily.com/loreal-acquires-majority-stake-innovist/] * https://beautynewsdaily.com/charlotte-tilbury-cbe-kings-birthday-honours-2026/ [https://beautynewsdaily.com/charlotte-tilbury-cbe-kings-birthday-honours-2026/] * https://www.violettefr.com/pages/balm-amour-tinted-lip-treatment?srsltid=AfmBOopsKOFI1semOiUcwEnowzN6f3bq1ofdXbj-XeaT9L2kIXGiDXjZ [https://www.violettefr.com/pages/balm-amour-tinted-lip-treatment?srsltid=AfmBOopsKOFI1semOiUcwEnowzN6f3bq1ofdXbj-XeaT9L2kIXGiDXjZ] * https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ21HehEhgQ/?img_index=4 [https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ21HehEhgQ/?img_index=4] * https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cabanamilk [https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cabanamilk] * https://us.nakedsundays.com/collections/cabanamilk-bundles [https://us.nakedsundays.com/collections/cabanamilk-bundles] * https://beautynewsdaily.com/elf-beauty-launches-elf-hair/ [https://beautynewsdaily.com/elf-beauty-launches-elf-hair/] * https://www.voguearabia.com/article/madonna-kiko-milano-global-brand-ambassador [https://www.voguearabia.com/article/madonna-kiko-milano-global-brand-ambassador] * https://beautynewsdaily.com/kaia-gerber-creative-partner-uni-bodycare/ [https://beautynewsdaily.com/kaia-gerber-creative-partner-uni-bodycare/] * https://www.gcimagazine.com/brands-products/devices-tech/news/22969043/loral-goes-allin-on-ai-openai-deal-extends-from-chatgpt-commerce-to-microbiome-discovery [https://www.gcimagazine.com/brands-products/devices-tech/news/22969043/loral-goes-allin-on-ai-openai-deal-extends-from-chatgpt-commerce-to-microbiome-discovery] . . L'Oréal, Innovist, Indian beauty brands, Charlotte Tilbury, Violette_FR, french beauty, naked sundays, suncare, elf beauty, elf haircare, affordable beauty, affordable haircare, madonna, kiko milano, global brand ambassador, kaia gerber, uni, luxury skincare, chatgpt, AI in beauty

Ep. 24 Rimmel

In this episode, I’m covering the UK cool kids brand, Rimmel. From a leading 1830s Victorian perfumery with French roots to creating the modern London look, the Rimmel story is rich with history, innovation, and iconic partnerships. Connect with me: Email: sarah@thecosmeticchronicles.com Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@glowandflowbysarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/glowandflowbysarah] Substack:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Glow + Flow Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://glowandflow.substack.com/] LTK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/glowandflowbysarah/productsets/11f0629a7b2a8512b8a00242ac110004] Sources: * https://www.cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/rimmel.php [https://www.cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/rimmel.php] * https://cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/rimmel-1940.php [https://cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/rimmel-1940.php] * https://us.lisaeldridge.com/blogs/articles/the-beauty-pioneers-the-history-of-rimmel?srsltid=AfmBOoqwZtFkUwJW7BzzuW6QfX14KzC-PH5FrMgBqOPZkX6AZ23gopUV [https://us.lisaeldridge.com/blogs/articles/the-beauty-pioneers-the-history-of-rimmel?srsltid=AfmBOoqwZtFkUwJW7BzzuW6QfX14KzC-PH5FrMgBqOPZkX6AZ23gopUV] * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rimmel [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rimmel] * https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/fashion-blog/2012/jan/23/brief-history-rimmel [https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/fashion-blog/2012/jan/23/brief-history-rimmel] * https://www.rimmellondon.com/en-ca/about [https://www.rimmellondon.com/en-ca/about] * https://cosmeticsbusiness.com/the-untold-story-of-rimmel-london-mascara-franchise [https://cosmeticsbusiness.com/the-untold-story-of-rimmel-london-mascara-franchise] * https://www.ogleschool.edu/blog/game-changers-men-rocked-beauty-industry/ [https://www.ogleschool.edu/blog/game-changers-men-rocked-beauty-industry/] * https://efcreativestudios.com/behind-the-brand-rimmel-london/ [https://efcreativestudios.com/behind-the-brand-rimmel-london/] * https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/london-stories/what-was-great-exhibition-1851/ [https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/london-stories/what-was-great-exhibition-1851/] * https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/102438413 [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/102438413] * https://www.etsy.com/listing/4384618787/1864-french-rimmels-perfumed-almanack [https://www.etsy.com/listing/4384618787/1864-french-rimmels-perfumed-almanack] * https://www.amazon.com/Recollections-Paris-Exhibition-Eugene-Rimmel/dp/B009OIHWLO [https://www.amazon.com/Recollections-Paris-Exhibition-Eugene-Rimmel/dp/B009OIHWLO] * https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/receivership.asp [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/receivership.asp] * https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/06/23/Schering-sells-Eurocosmetics-firms/1784614577600/ [https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/06/23/Schering-sells-Eurocosmetics-firms/1784614577600/] * https://www.makeupsavvy.co.uk/2018/07/getting-the-london-look.html [https://www.makeupsavvy.co.uk/2018/07/getting-the-london-look.html] * https://www.allure.com/story/kate-moss-new-rimmel-lipsticks [https://www.allure.com/story/kate-moss-new-rimmel-lipsticks] * https://www.womanandhome.com/beauty/makeup/rimmel-stay-matte-pressed-powder/ [https://www.womanandhome.com/beauty/makeup/rimmel-stay-matte-pressed-powder/] * https://blogs.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/jjcoll/2013/02/01/rimmels-scented-world/ [https://blogs.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/jjcoll/2013/02/01/rimmels-scented-world/] * https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/The_chemist_and_druggist_%28electronic_resource%29_%28IA_b19974760M0188%29.pdf [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/The_chemist_and_druggist_%28electronic_resource%29_%28IA_b19974760M0188%29.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com] . . Rimmel, beauty history, cosmetics, mascara, London, brand evolution, makeup innovation, celebrity campaigns, beauty industry, kate moss

Beauty Bulletin: Week of 6.9.26

In this episode, I cover Q1 Ulta growth numbers, innovative launches from VIOLETTE_FR and REFY, Kendall Jenner x Anua, and how biotechnology is the future of anti-aging skincare. Connect with me: Email: sarah@thecosmeticchronicles.com Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@glowandflowbysarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/glowandflowbysarah] Substack:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Glow + Flow Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://glowandflow.substack.com/] LTK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/glowandflowbysarah/productsets/11f0629a7b2a8512b8a00242ac110004] Sources for this week: * https://www.gcimagazine.com/retail/brick-and-mortar/news/22968057/9-drivers-of-ultas-q1-growth-and-a-times-square-flagship-teaser [https://www.gcimagazine.com/retail/brick-and-mortar/news/22968057/9-drivers-of-ultas-q1-growth-and-a-times-square-flagship-teaser] * https://beautynewsdaily.com/california-naturals-series-b-funding-ceo/ [https://beautynewsdaily.com/california-naturals-series-b-funding-ceo/] * https://www.beautyindependent.com/violette_fr-5m-existing-investors-tough-makeup-funding-market/ [https://www.beautyindependent.com/violette_fr-5m-existing-investors-tough-makeup-funding-market/] * https://beautynewsdaily.com/rhode-summer-2026-collection/ [https://beautynewsdaily.com/rhode-summer-2026-collection/] * https://www.instagram.com/p/DYr-udvljMq/ [https://www.instagram.com/p/DYr-udvljMq/] * https://www.instagram.com/p/DZNBSv4jNKQ/?img_index=1 [https://www.instagram.com/p/DZNBSv4jNKQ/?img_index=1] * https://beautynewsdaily.com/kendall-jenner-anua-global-ambassador/ [https://beautynewsdaily.com/kendall-jenner-anua-global-ambassador/] * https://beautynewsdaily.com/lisa-eldridge-marilyn-monroe-makeup-collection/ [https://beautynewsdaily.com/lisa-eldridge-marilyn-monroe-makeup-collection/] * https://glowandflow.substack.com/p/the-glow-edit-vol-1-no-3 [https://glowandflow.substack.com/p/the-glow-edit-vol-1-no-3] * https://www.gcimagazine.com/brands-products/hair-care/news/22968202/loral-backs-rnai-drug-developer-in-80m-bet-on-the-future-convergence-of-beauty-and-health [https://www.gcimagazine.com/brands-products/hair-care/news/22968202/loral-backs-rnai-drug-developer-in-80m-bet-on-the-future-convergence-of-beauty-and-health] . . Ulta Beauty, product launches, celebrity partnerships, biotech in beauty, skincare innovation, beauty industry trends, REFY, french makeup, VIOLETTE_FR, california naturals, marilyn monroe, lisa eldridge, kbeauty, anua, kendall jenner, RNAi

Ep. 23 Tarte Cosmetics

In this episode, I’m covering Tarte Cosmetics, the brand that started as a cheek stain in a one bedroom NYC apartment and grew into a global beauty powerhouse. From Amazonian Clay to Shape Tape, Tarte has created many cult-status franchises and a little thing known as “influencer brand trips”. This week, I’m going to have you pick what I should try from the brand (I surprisingly don’t own anything by them!). So after you listen to the episode, let me know which product I should try by voting in the poll below! ⬇️⬇️⬇️ Connect with me: Email: sarah@thecosmeticchronicles.com Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@glowandflowbysarah⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/glowandflowbysarah] Substack:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Glow + Flow Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://glowandflow.substack.com/] LTK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop the Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.shopltk.com/explore/glowandflowbysarah/productsets/11f0629a7b2a8512b8a00242ac110004] Sources: * https://tartecosmetics.com/pages/about-us [https://tartecosmetics.com/pages/about-us] * https://tartecosmetics.com/products/maracuja-oil [https://tartecosmetics.com/products/maracuja-oil] * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarte_Cosmetics [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarte_Cosmetics] * https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1877020_1877030_2019428,00.html [https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1877020_1877030_2019428,00.html] * https://people.com/tarte-founder-maureen-kelly-interview-exclusive-11756479 [https://people.com/tarte-founder-maureen-kelly-interview-exclusive-11756479] * https://www.thebeautyinformer.com/2015/05/tarte-cosmetics-history.html [https://www.thebeautyinformer.com/2015/05/tarte-cosmetics-history.html] * https://podcasts.musixmatch.com/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz-01gv2bv14079rhv1ch6dvacm4n/episode/tarte-cosmetics-maureen-kelly-01hjz7abr0s9jvzptbvqrew0x6 [https://podcasts.musixmatch.com/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz-01gv2bv14079rhv1ch6dvacm4n/episode/tarte-cosmetics-maureen-kelly-01hjz7abr0s9jvzptbvqrew0x6] * https://www.beautypackaging.com/tarte-cosmetics-the-whole-package/ [https://www.beautypackaging.com/tarte-cosmetics-the-whole-package/] * https://www.happi.com/exclusives/tarte-founder-maureen-kelly-on-the-keys-to-her-success/ [https://www.happi.com/exclusives/tarte-founder-maureen-kelly-on-the-keys-to-her-success/] * https://www.allure.com/story/tarte-face-tape-foundation-shade-range-apology [https://www.allure.com/story/tarte-face-tape-foundation-shade-range-apology] * https://www.byrdie.com/best-tarte-products-4774067 [https://www.byrdie.com/best-tarte-products-4774067] * https://www.ms.now/career-growth/tarte-ceo-maureen-kelly-how-she-created-makeup-empire-n1297990 [https://www.ms.now/career-growth/tarte-ceo-maureen-kelly-how-she-created-makeup-empire-n1297990] * https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/beauty/23821-tarte-cosmetics-interview-makeup-beauty [https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/beauty/23821-tarte-cosmetics-interview-makeup-beauty] * https://www.forbes.com/sites/dahvishira/2026/01/19/a-decade-of-trippin-with-tarte-inside-the-viral-brand-trip-machine/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/dahvishira/2026/01/19/a-decade-of-trippin-with-tarte-inside-the-viral-brand-trip-machine/] * https://www.gcimagazine.com/brands-products/news/article/21847879/sweet-tarte-taking-inside-out-beauty-to-heart [https://www.gcimagazine.com/brands-products/news/article/21847879/sweet-tarte-taking-inside-out-beauty-to-heart] * https://www.happi.com/breaking-news/tarte-presents-amazonian-clay-blush/ [https://www.happi.com/breaking-news/tarte-presents-amazonian-clay-blush/] * https://www.beautyalmanac.com/article/tarte-call-of-the-wild-amazonian-clay-eyeshadow-palette/1004 [https://www.beautyalmanac.com/article/tarte-call-of-the-wild-amazonian-clay-eyeshadow-palette/1004] * https://www.temptalia.com/tarte-summer-2011-collection/ [https://www.temptalia.com/tarte-summer-2011-collection/] * https://www.beautypackaging.com/tarte-cosmetics-a-blend-of-glamour-and-green/ [https://www.beautypackaging.com/tarte-cosmetics-a-blend-of-glamour-and-green/] * https://www.gcimagazine.com/brands-products/news/news/21861558/kose-corp-to-acquire-tarte [https://www.gcimagazine.com/brands-products/news/news/21861558/kose-corp-to-acquire-tarte] * https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/KOSE-HOLDINGS-CORPORATION-6492001/news/KOSE-Corp-completed-the-acquisition-of-93-5-stake-in-Tarte-Inc-from-Maureen-Kelly-and-Encore-Con-38765503/ [https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/KOSE-HOLDINGS-CORPORATION-6492001/news/KOSE-Corp-completed-the-acquisition-of-93-5-stake-in-Tarte-Inc-from-Maureen-Kelly-and-Encore-Con-38765503/] * https://imnotabeautyguru.com/2015/01/tartelette-amazonian-clay-matte-eyeshadow-palette-overview-swatches-and-dilemma/ [https://imnotabeautyguru.com/2015/01/tartelette-amazonian-clay-matte-eyeshadow-palette-overview-swatches-and-dilemma/] * https://www.optimonk.com/tarte-marketing-breakdown [https://www.optimonk.com/tarte-marketing-breakdown] * https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tarte-introduces-international-shape-tape-day-300776880.html [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tarte-introduces-international-shape-tape-day-300776880.html] * https://www.newbeauty.com/view/tarte-shape-tape-concealer-sephora-launch [https://www.newbeauty.com/view/tarte-shape-tape-concealer-sephora-launch] * https://www.allure.com/story/tarte-shape-tape-contour-concealer [https://www.allure.com/story/tarte-shape-tape-contour-concealer] * https://www.allure.com/story/tarte-lack-of-diversity-foundation-shades-criticism [https://www.allure.com/story/tarte-lack-of-diversity-foundation-shades-criticism] * https://www.bustle.com/p/tarte-shape-tape-foundations-shade-range-isnt-up-to-the-internets-standards-7911888 [https://www.bustle.com/p/tarte-shape-tape-foundations-shade-range-isnt-up-to-the-internets-standards-7911888] * https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/makeup-skincare/a15333862/tarte-cosmetics-ten-new-shape-tape-foundations/ [https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/makeup-skincare/a15333862/tarte-cosmetics-ten-new-shape-tape-foundations/] * https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/02/223536/tarte-new-face-tape-foundation-shades [https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/02/223536/tarte-new-face-tape-foundation-shades] * https://www.allure.com/story/tarte-maracuja-juicy-lip-plumper-review [https://www.allure.com/story/tarte-maracuja-juicy-lip-plumper-review] * https://www.allure.com/story/tarte-foundation-concealer-shade-range-expansions [https://www.allure.com/story/tarte-foundation-concealer-shade-range-expansions] * https://www.allure.com/story/tarte-cheek-stain-relaunch [https://www.allure.com/story/tarte-cheek-stain-relaunch] Tarte Cosmetics, beauty industry, influencer marketing, Amazonian clay, Shape Tape, skincare makeup hybrid, brand history, beauty trends, product innovation, maracuja oil