Aakash Anand: An Entrepreneur Who Has Revolutionised The Indian Natural Skincare Segment — Bhaskar Live English News
Tied to the niche concerns of its customers in the beauty and skincare segments, Bella Vita Organic’s progress under the glorious vision of Aakash Anand, Founder & CEO — Bella Vita Organic, has changed the skincare game.
Divya Resu recently bumped into this beauty and skincare mogul and got the opportunity to learn about his views on natural beauty and skincare, how Bella Vita Organic has progressed over the years and the brand’s best selling products.
What made you tap into the billion-dollar Natural Skincare Segment?
I’ve always stood by the fact that you’ll always be in the skin you’re in. Many people are sensitive to chemicals and have been afraid to use anything on their skin. After hours and hours of researching ingredients and exploring different formulations and combinations, I realized that the skincare and makeup industries were deprived of unique products that were truly natural, vegan, chemical-free, and cruelty-free.
I couldn’t find any natural products that gave me the results and the luxury experience I was looking for. No one should have to sacrifice their health for their beauty. It was important to me that I provide my customers with these. And, hence, I decided to create my natural beauty and skincare line. Since then, we aim towards facilitating beauty that performs and transforms to people all across the globe.
What is Bella Vita Organic all about, in a nutshell?
Bella Vita Organic is a natural beauty and skincare brand that aims to bring organic, cruelty-free, chemical-free products and services into being and revive an age-old natural way of life inspired by the most beautiful, unadulterated, and holistic natural elements of the earth.
As a brand, we do not only sell and deliver regime-oriented skincare products and services but also, additionally, offers 24 by 7 expertise navigating our customers through every step of their care journey. The team very meticulously assesses their concerns and tends to them over and above just the physical application of our products.
What was your path from Qdesq to Bella Vita Organic? Why the sudden shift?
Bella Vita Organic or ‘The Good Life’ was originally founded by my mother and sister, Mrs Anju Anand and Miss Aashima Anand. And, they have dedicatedly brought into being, handcrafted and organic beauty solutions, inspired by the natural elements of the earth and ancient beauty practices.
At an initial stage, the products were made at home until we established a manufacturing unit in the year 2017. I joined the Bella Vita Organic family in July 2018. And, eventually, we established the retail front online. There has been no looking back ever since.
Coming from Qdesq, when did you secretly become interested in natural products? Or did you have an “aha” moment that changed your thinking?
It was kind of like an epiphany and a curiosity all at the same time. A lot of it started with my customers asking my mom and sister for natural skincare treatments. They used to make natural beauty and skincare formulations post evaluating the ingredients as per the skin type of the concerned customer and pack in boxes to hand over to them.
And, the customers always came back very happy and satisfied with their earlier experience with us. This made me ponder upon the fact that why not create an entirely organic and cruelty-free beauty and skincare line.
How would you describe your approach to skincare?
What we stand for is the highest grade of natural ingredients, mixed in a simple formula-not so complex formulae by any means. And, our products are completely pure, vegan, and cruelty-free. So you don’t need to be thinking “Oh, what is this weird chemical?” or “What is this going to be rated when it’s studied 20 years from now?”
How would you describe the Bella Vita Organic aesthetic?
We, by all means, support “less is more.” And hence, are creating that very clean, minimalist, healthy, natural beauty and skincare, for instance, the raging ‘no-makeup’ makeup look. The key is to create a radiant, glowing complexion, which is quite difficult in itself. However, once you have that mastered with Bella Vita Organic, the sky too won’t limit you.
You have recently re-branded? What is different about Bella Vita Organic now?
Yes, we have recently rebranded however not reformulated. We at Bella Vita Organic derive our inspiration to make the best beauty products, cosmetics and skincare solutions from India’s national bird i.e. Peacock. Symbolizing purity, beauty & prosperity, our brand mascot represents our true intent to provide our customers with quality natural skincare products and wellness solutions from India. Our packaging post rebranding has become more uniform across all our products.
Was it difficult at first, trying to formulate with natural ingredients?
I knew what I wanted, I just wasn’t sure how to get there. By working my way through by thoroughly researching different permutations and combinations and their results with my team, what I discovered were high-performing natural products. A lot of brands [are mainly focused on] the ingredients and agreed, we are here to do something good, but we need to make sure it works.
What’s your position on natural versus synthetic ingredients?
We take a much-targeted approach to ingredients. The way I look at luxury is that you’re buying a point of view. In fashion, you’re buying someone’s point of view about what the modern woman or man looks like. In beauty and skincare, the point of view is all about ingredients that are not harmful to your skin. So, my point of view is that I want to deliver the most effective and luxurious yet natural skincare products.
With that, there is an expectation. The fact that we have decided to exclude synthetic ingredients, our customers shouldn’t suffer for that. So, we use the natural alternative for the same. Retinol is an example of that. There’s nothing better. But, we use Vitamin A instead which is a natural formulation. So that, to me, is luxury; it’s not just about natural versus unnatural.
How did you go from not having any experience with formulating to coming up with an entire range?
I must’ve been nuts. Because I hadn’t started in beauty and skincare, I think that’s probably why I was like, “Yes, I can do this. Discover natural ingredients and let’s figure this out.”
Let’s talk about your best selling NicoLips Lip Scrub Balm. Can you tell us more about this niche product?
Though Bella Vita Organic has a list of best selling products to its name, NicoLips Lip Lightening Scrub Balm tops that list. True to its name, it is the perfect mild lip scrub that lightens dark lips caused by smoking or use of makeup. Above all, as an all-natural unique exfoliating agent, it restores the lost the natural pink colour of your lips leaving them soft, supple, and pigmentation-free.
What’s the difference between your Micellar Water and the ones by other skincare brands?
Bella Vita Organic Micellar Water is a mild Ayurvedic oil-infused makeup cleanser that wipes away your stubborn makeup whether light, heavy, or water-proof in nature. The differentiating factor arises where it leaves your skin soft, moisturized, supple, and healthy-looking. It is an excellent source of nourishment.
How is the Indian beauty culture different from that of the other countries globally?
Beauty in India is as multifaceted as the country is diverse — a happy, boisterous co-existence of tradition, spirituality and ancient rituals on one end of the spectrum, glossy Bollywood-inspired aspirations on the other and many fast-evolving variations in-between. Indeed, Indian culture has considered beauty as an expression of Godliness, almost something to be revered.
On the other hand, the beauty standards set by the society we live in have a tremendous influence on the styles and trends we are drawn to. In the USA we see tan skin as beautiful. By comparison, a creamy complexion is considered beautiful in many parts of Asia. Japanese women often wear long sleeves and hats to the beach to keep their skin fair.
Author Bio
Divya Resu is a journalist, writer, poetess, and a full-time working mother, Divya can usually be found reading a book, and that book will more likely than not be a poetry one. Blogging has always been on her bucket list, and eventually, it became a reality. She also writes non-fiction, on subjects ranging from personal finance to astronomy to film. When not absorbed in a latest gripping page-turner, Divya loves cooking, raising her daughter, knits very badly, enjoys riding her Vespa around the town, and otherwise spends far too much time at the computer. She lives in India, with her husband and her family.
Originally published at https://www.bhaskarlive.in on March 4, 2020.
