Podcast 191: The Rise and Impact of Beauty Advent Calendars

As the holiday season approaches for many of us, one trend that has caught the attention of the beauty industry is the rise of beauty look calendars. These calendars go far beyond traditional paper or chocolate calendars and have become a major phenomenon in certain sectors of the beauty industry and in certain countries.

In this episode, Formula Botanica CEO and host Lorraine Dallmeier, in conversation with colleague, School Education Manager Ana Green, delves into the intricacies of this trend. They explore the rationale for these diaries, what is involved in their production and their impact on consumer behaviour, with a particular look at the sustainability challenges they present.

Join them for a fascinating and slightly controversial discussion about whether beauty lookbooks are a delightful treat or a consumption trap that just adds to the mountain of waste the beauty industry produces.

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In this episode you will hear:

• About the evolution of look calendars from simple paper designs to elaborate beauty product collections.
• A detailed look at how beauty lookbooks are used and who makes them, including pricing and their target audience.
• The marketing strategies behind the early advertising of these journals and their growing popularity.
• A critical analysis of sustainability concerns related to beauty lookbooks, such as excessive packaging and product waste.
• Discuss the parallels between advent calendars and beauty boxes and the change in consumer preferences.
• The potential impact of beauty appearance calendars on brand appeal and customer loyalty.
• A balanced view on whether investing in a beauty look calendar is a worthwhile endeavor for consumers.

Packed essentials include:

• The role of beauty lookbooks in increasing excitement and overconsumption in the beauty industry.
• Learn about the psychological appeal of these calendars and the marketing genius behind them.
• The environmental factors that consumers and brands should be aware of within these calendars.
• A critical look at the long-term value and utility of the products featured in these calendars for both consumers and brands.

If you enjoyed this episode about beauty journaling and sustainability, check back in the podcast archives. Go listen to these related episodes and topics:

Episode 135 – Sustainable Black Friday Beauty Alternatives
Episode 141 – The Controversial Rise of Beauty Celebrities
Episode 111 – Are Beauty Samples Sustainable?

We hope this episode has given you a new perspective on the beauty calendar trend. As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you ever indulged in a beauty pageant? What are your views on their impact on consumption and sustainability? Share your views with us on our social channels.

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

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Lorraine Dallmeier is a biologist, certified environmentalist, and CEO of Formula Botanica, the award-winning online organic cosmetics school. Read more about Lorraine and the Formula Botanica team.