Trinny Woodall started her career in fashion as one half of the TV makeover duo Trinny and Susannah, but she’s made beauty her business over the last few years.
In 2017, she launched her eponymous brand Trinny London, starting with stackable pots of multi-purpose make-up. Since then the brand has expanded into skincare and tools and is now a multi-million pound business with a global community.
This makes Trinny London the perfect fit for the OK! Beauty Box’s Female Founders Edit, a limited-edition selection of brilliant brands started by inspirational women. We caught up with Trinny to find out what makes a successful beauty boss…
What made you want to start creating beauty products?
I spent 20 years travelling all over the world making women up and the question I was most asked was, “What colours suit me?” I realised the impact that switching up your make-up could have and the idea for Trinny London was born. I wanted to create portable, personalised make-up that is joyful, effortless and inspiring.
You’ve chosen to include Trinny London’s Lip2Cheek [a multi-tasking lip and cheek colour] in our Female Founders Beauty Box. Why this product?
When creating it I wanted something really easy to apply that you could do anywhere, and I wanted it to be in shades that were foolproof yet brought a pop of colour to your lips and cheeks. It’s got great colour intensity, it lasts all day and the shades are very flattering.
And why did you choose this particular shade (Veebee, a warm coral)?
It’s our most popular colour with customers and a universally flattering shade for every skin tone. At Trinny London, we love to match people’s make-up to their eye, hair and skin colour, and Veebee suits everyone.
Why is it important to you to be included in an all-female beauty box?
I think it’s incredibly important to celebrate female entrepreneurship and help address the statistic that only 2% of funding last year went into female-founded businesses.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever been given?
To think of your brand globally from day one.
International Women’s Day is on 8 March. How will you celebrate?
I will hopefully be in Ireland where we’re expanding Trinny London into Brown Thomas, and I’ll be celebrating the day with a dinner for 300 entrepreneurial women.
Who are your female role models?
Amelia Earhart, who flew around the world fearlessly, and all the entrepreneurs who have helped me through my journey, like Chrissie Rucker who founded The White Company and turned it into the multi-million pound brand it is today.
What top tips would you give your younger self?
Always wear SPF50, and 99% of whatever you worry about never happens.
What’s your number one youth-boosting skincare tip?
Stimulate your skin with facial massage before you begin your skincare routine.
Which one make-up item instantly makes you feel more confident?
Blusher.
Shop the Female Founders OK! Beauty Box (worth over £270) for just £60 now.