I lived in London for a decade and saw the luxury beauty industry flourish with new brands testing the limits of possibility. Meanwhile, right here in the heart of Lisbon, a revolutionary store was being born just when I was taking my first step into a new life. A store that did what many failed to do in London and one I would name as my favourite in Lisbon 10 years after I left: SKINLIFE.
SKINLIFE opened its flagship store at Rua Paiva de Andrade, 4 in Chiado, Lisbon. In July 2018, SKINLIFE opened its second store at Rua Manuel Jesus Coelho 4A, near Avenida, where they introduced us to modern architecture and niche beauty in the centre of the city. In October 2020, SKINLIFE celebrated their 10 year anniversary with the launch of their first label Next Memory.
From Augustinus Bader, Dr Barbara Sturm and U Beauty, to the nice perfume realms of Byredo, Diptyque and Maison Francis Kurkdjian, and even Westman Atelier; they have the best niche brands and it’s hard to leave the store without a purchase.
Furthermore, the brand has been focusing a lot on sustainability and I was lucky to have the opportunity to ask them a few questions about their history, their founders Dennis and Patrick, and the future for their stores. Please read the interview below.
“Our experiences with these prestigious brands have instilled in us a deep understanding of the importance of customer-centricity and creating meaningful connections with our audience”
SKINLIFE
Can you please tell us a bit about yourselves and your story? Were there any particular influences that put you on the road to creating the brand SKINLIFE?
SKINLIFE was born out of our profound love for high perfumery. During our various travels across Portugal, Dennis and I realised that there was a lack of niche brands in the country. Recognising the immense potential of this market in major capitals like Paris and London, we decided to open our doors in Lisbon. Fuelled by ambition, we eagerly drove from the Netherlands to Lisbon, with a dream waiting to be realised.
Now, after 14 years, we believe that our dream has been realised and even exceeded with the creation of Next Memory. This brand serves as a tribute to our memories, encapsulating their essence and significance. It is through Next Memory that we aim to create fragrances and products that evoke emotions and connect people with their own cherished memories.
You have previously worked with brands like La Mer and Chanel, very prestigious brands. I imagine this has influenced your sublime rigour and elegance that you pour every day into your brands, SKINLIFE and Next Memory. How have these experiences shaped your career and entrepreneurship?
Certainly, those experiences have greatly influenced our current work. Through our previous work with prestigious brands like La Mer and Chanel, we came to realise that we wanted to deliver a highly distinctive level of service compared to the current market, with a strong focus on our customers and their overall in-store and online experiences. Our priority has always been caring for others and providing them with the best we have to offer.
Working with renowned brands taught us the importance of attention to detail, impeccable quality, and the pursuit of elegance in everything we do. These principles have shaped our approach to creating and nurturing SKINLIFE and Next Memory. We strive to infuse our brands with sublime rigour and elegance, ensuring that every aspect, from the products to the customer interactions, reflects our dedication to excellence.
Moreover, our experiences with these prestigious brands have instilled in us a deep understanding of the importance of customer-centricity and creating meaningful connections with our audience. We aim to go beyond just selling products; we want to provide a holistic experience that engages and delights our customers at every touchpoint. We are grateful for the lessons we learned and continue to apply them in our journey with SKINLIFE and Next Memory.
“Remember, living a more sustainable life is a journey, and every small step counts.”
SKINLIFE
How do you select the brand you work with and sell on your shops?
With the growth of SKINLIFE, we have reached a point where brands often approach us rather than us actively seeking them out. However, we still go through a selection process where we carefully analyse the philosophy and market differentiation of each brand.
In today’s world, we aim to work with brands that align with our values. We prioritise brands that offer cleaner ingredients and packaging solutions, as well as those that prioritise sustainability and offer ways to recycle their products and packaging.
We believe in curating a collection of brands that not only deliver exceptional quality but also share our commitment to environmental consciousness and ethical practices. We strive to offer our customers a diverse range of products that meet their desires for both efficacy and sustainability.
By selecting brands that embody these qualities, we ensure that our customers have access to products that align with their values and contribute to their overall well-being. We constantly evaluate and update our brand selection to stay in line with emerging trends and evolving customer preferences, ensuring that we provide the best possible options to our discerning clientele.
What is the importance sustainability has for your brand?
Sustainability holds great importance for our brand, and it has been a priority for us since the beginning of SKINLIFE. We have always aimed to minimise waste and adopt sustainable practices throughout our operations.
One notable example is our approach to packaging and shipping. Since the early days of our online store, we have made a conscious effort to recycle and repurpose the boxes that we receive from brands for shipping customer orders. By reusing these boxes, we reduce the need for additional packaging materials and minimise waste.
Furthermore, we actively seek out and collaborate with brands that share our commitment to sustainability. We strive to work with the most environmentally conscious and “clean” brands in the market. Some examples of such brands include Westman Atelier, Essential Parfums, Susanne Kaufmann, among many others. These brands prioritise sustainable practices in their ingredients, packaging, and overall operations.
What do you recommend for our readers who want to live a more sustainable life?
First and foremost, we recommend finding creative ways to give new life to product packaging. For example, consider using candle cups as holders for makeup brushes or repurposing them as plant pots. It’s essential to maximize the use of packaging and avoid unnecessary waste.
We have an exclusive update for your readers. In the near future, we will introduce a new initiative at the Next Memory Boutique. Customers will have the opportunity to return candle cups, diffuser bottles, and room spray bottles in exchange for a 5% off on a purchase made on the same day. This program aims to reduce our ecological footprint and give back to the planet that has given us so much.
Remember, living a more sustainable life is a journey, and every small step counts.
What’s next for the SKINLIFE brand?
Our focus for the SKINLIFE brand is to continue introducing what we believe to be the best brands in the Portuguese market, staying true to the vision we have held since day one. Additionally, we will prioritise the growth of our online store, which has been expanding steadily and reflects the high demand for these international brands.
Today’s consumers are actively seeking exclusive and differentiated products. Therefore, we will strive to meet this demand by curating a selection of unique and sought-after brands that offer exceptional quality and distinctiveness. Our goal is to provide our customers with a diverse range of products that cater to their desires for exclusivity and excellence.
Innovation and staying ahead of market trends will remain central to our brand’s evolution. We will continue to explore new possibilities, forge collaborations, and adapt to the ever-changing needs and preferences of our customers.
The future of the SKINLIFE brand holds endless possibilities, and we are eager to continue exceeding expectations and delivering extraordinary experiences to our valued customers.
A huge thank you to Dennis, Patrick and Pedro for kindly answering my questions, and for always supporting and believing in me in this incredible journey on Instagram and blog.
At SKINLIFE you can buy products from brands like Westman Atelier, Augustinus Bader, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Byredo, among many others. You can check their website below.
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