How did you get involved with natural cosmetics and lavera?
I used to love reading books about making natural cosmetics and starting making my own creams for friends. Then, in 1988, I opened the first specialist shop in Germany for natural cosmetics. It combined my childhood dreams of being a shopkeeper and a leader. I always promoted lavera products in my shop and eventually Thomas Haase, who founded the company in 1987, asked me to work with him. How has the market for natural cosmetics changed over time? Customers now want natural products that are effective but also convenient to use and visually attractive. Lavera is very popular in France and French women want something glamorous on the bathroom shelf. I still love to use linseed to exfoliate my skin, and beer to nourish my hair, but these days natural cosmetics have to come out of a tube. What have been the most challenging natural products to create? Lip gloss, self tan and mascara have all been challenging. We are particularly proud of our mascara because it has the lowest heavy metal
