Relationship Excuses

Entry 12.24

For this entry, I’d like to touch on the elusive supply chain consistency.

When you’ve decided to commit to a relationship with a supplier, there will inevitably come a time when the quality doesn't match what you planned for. Despite the promises, it's the nature of the beast. The Covid era shook most relationships and left more room for excuses or justifications to change their sources. Vetting quality ingredients, components or raw materials takes significant work. It requires legal and efficacy conformities, preventative tests that are required for consumer goods, along with standard regulatory and staying true to your precious COGs. 

Knowing this, I still spent countless hours sourcing the right suppliers for the Tälma Oil. To then get hit with sourcing changes that no longer align with my sustainable and upcycled ethos. As a result, I was forced to change my cap. 

(Hence my the silence, all was happening behind the scenes)

New cap to follow…!

Determination > Greenwashing

Entry 8.24

I began designing this product after confronting the unsettling realities within the beauty and skincare industry. For years, if not decades, the focus has been almost entirely on the quality of ingredients, completely formula focused. There’s been some subtle branding nods towards improvements in both primary (bottles, caps, pumps, etc.) and secondary (boxes, sleeves, inserts, etc.) packaging. However, it’s the packaging that often ends up in the trash, leading to waste and environmental harm. A stark contrast to a product designed to enhance beauty. This paradox is has been triggering because most consumers are misled. Greenwashing? It’s everywhere. Certifications like Leaping Bunny and claims of cruelty-free practices? I call Bullshit. The smoke and mirrors the beauty industry creates needs to be challenged. Please question all elements to the brand you support. Send them an email and see if they can genuinely stand behind their claims.

The goal with Talma Oil is to spotlight every aspect that goes into creating a product, giving you the power to prioritize what matters most to you. Recyclability? Post-consumer materials? Carbon footprint? Natural, but more importantly, ethically sourced ingredients? Take a moment to consider what aspect of nature do you love and consider how your purchasing choices can protect them.

Talma Oil isn’t perfect. The current industry landscape doesn’t have access, nor the scalable technology, to fully support ethical and sustainable options, but it’s evolving. The market, suppliers, and industry are driven by consumer behavior and trends, so if we demand change strongly enough, we can make a real impact!