Marion, a 1.60m tall petite , founded Oden beauty oils at the age of 26. Oden oils are beauty oils of exceptional quality, made in France with French ingredients. I won't tell you more. I'll let you discover it all!
My aim has always been to create French cosmetics, formulated in France, with raw materials produced in France.
Hello Marion, could you start by telling us about yourself and your background?
I've just turned 29 and I live in Paris. I studied business (ESSCA in Angers) where I specialized in entrepreneurship. Alongside my studies, I've always had a passion for botany. I've always been lucky enough to have a garden, so I've always been able to grow my own plants. And I've been making my own cosmetics for 10 years now.
I've always wanted to be an entrepreneur, but on my parents' advice, I started by working in a company. In the end, I did quite a few things before setting up Oden. I started with an end-of-studies internship at Yves Rocher, then another at Balenciaga. I didn't like it. Then I worked for a textile agent. I had a portfolio of foreign brands and had to establish them in France. The saThe job was very interesting, but after a year, I'd done it all. Then I worked for a year at Wishibam, a friend's start-up distributing beauty products and clothing. I managed the beauty brands, and it was through daily exEDITs with all these brands that I realized there was something to be done in natural cosmetics with French plants.
What year was it?
That was in 2016. Something clicked. Working in a company didn't suit me. So I took my courage in both hands, negotiated a severance package and started working on my project for a French cosmetics brand. Today, many brands claim to be made in France. The final product is formulated in France, but the ingredients come from the 4 corners of the world. Because it's very complicated to find French raw materials and, above all, it's much more expensive because there isn't much supply.
My aim has always been to create French cosmetics, formulated in France, with raw materials produced in France.
Let's talk about Oden. Can you tell us about the beginnings of the brand?
To make products, you need ingredients. So I started by touring France to find my raw materials.
Have you set yourself a particular geographical perimeter?
No, I didn't set myself a precise geographical perimeter because it's already very difficult to find the right partners. So I didn't set myself any additional constraints. I had identified 5 farmers in 5 different geographical areas and I went to talk to them about my project and to validate our partnership. So I started the adventure with 5 farmers.
It was a difficult start. I went through the wrong laboratory. Just to explain how they work: they give you packages where they develop a cosmetic product for you from A to Z. They work out the formulation and choose the ingredients for you from a set of specifications. They work out the formulation and choose the ingredients for you from a set of specifications. I initially went through this type of service. I chose a laboratory and gave them my specifications, specifying that I wanted French ingredients. I trusted them, paid an initial deposit and the laboratory came back to me to tell me that my specifications were unrealistic, that my project was idealistic and unfeasible. I'd been had! So I went in search of another laboratory and came across a brilliant structure that agreed to let me develop my own formula, choose my own ingredients and give them to them to bottle.
I then found a superb graphic designer to work with us on the project. I wanted simple packaging that reflected the excellence of the raw material.
At the time, my mother was fed up with her job. So I asked her to join the adventure, and she accepted! At the age of 55, she has also taken the plunge into entrepreneurship.
Oden oils are a great family story! Can you tell us more about the range of products distributed by Oden?
A year ago, the Oden product range consisted of 7 pure plant oils, each adapted to a specific skin type. The oils in the range are as follows:
- plum oil: a very rich oil,
- Mirabelle plum oil: suitable for all skin types, including normal skin,
- Sweet almond oil: a rich oil for sensitive skin,
- hazelnut oil: a natural sebum-regulating oil,
- evening primrose oil: an oil that fights the first wrinkThe,
- Borage oil: a deep-tissue repair oil for dry, wrinkled skin,
- body oil: a carrot-based oil for a pretty, tanned complexion.
Since then, our product range has expanded. We've launched a completely natural, vegan lip balm. It's made from just 6 ingredients: three oils, beeswax, honey and vitamin E. I'm flabbergasted when I see the compositions of most lip balms (which contain mineral oils) when we can do so much better!
Where can I buy the products?
We sell a lot on the Internet, but we're also distributed in around twenty boutiques. We can be found in some very attractive boutiques specializing in cutting-edge natural cosmetics, as well as in Naturalia Origine in Paris.
I've read that you're setting up biodynamic gardens in France, can you tell us more about that?
Two projects are currently underway:
- The first is in Piriac, a small village where my mother and I are originally from. Our aim is, of course, to grow plants for our products, then to open it to the public and organize workshops to show how we go from raw fruit to 100% natural cosmetics. We plan to open this summer,
- The second is a co-creation with my boyfriend, who is also an entrepreneur. He has developed a robo-culteur, a robot that cultivates in place of humans, enabling us to grow in places that are difficult for us to access. Together, we won a rooftop in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, via the Pariculteurs competition. So we're going to grow flowers in Paris to make limited-edition lip balms.
And are the robots ready?
The robot prototype is ready, with just a few improvements to be made, but it should be up and running by this summer.
Let's talk about petite stature. You're 1.60m tall. Do you consider yourselfpetite"?
It depends. There are times when I feel petite because I'm out on the beach with big girlfriends. But there are also times when I don't feel petite, but rather average. I've always said to myself that I'd be better off 5 cm taller, but in the end, I've never had a bad experience of being petite .
What's your style? How do you like to dress in everyday life?
It's quite varied, depending on the period, but I realize that I often wear the same clothes.
I've always had a problem finding jeans because I have petites legs. I've tried Maje's slims and I think they're very well cut. Of course, I have to have them altered because they're too long. But I think the fit is good.
Right now in winter, I like to wear jeans, some nice sneakers and a pretty sweater. Since becoming a contractor, I've stopped wearing heels. My style is more casual. I like to dress up, but I never go overboard with my clothes!
What are your favourite clothing brands?
I have favorite brands by type of piece.
For skinny jeans: Maje
For sweaters: Des Petits Hauts
For tops and lingerie: Petit Bateau
For sneakers: Veja (I wear a size 36). I love this brand. I have their gold and silver leather sneakers. I feel like I'm doing good for the planet when I buy them.
For dresses: Bimba y Lola. I always buy a few dresses at Bimba y Lola during the saThe. They fit well and I never need to alter them. I also really like Bash.
For coats: I recently bought myself a Fusalp down jacket.
If you had to go to a desert island, which Oden product would you choose?
I'd choose the serum!
And finally, can you share with us your current favorite?
I've fallen in love with a plant called soapwort. It's a plant whose fruits, roots, leaves and petals foam when they come into contact with water. The ancients used to wash with it. It's a forgotten plant, very pretty, with delicate flowers, and above all a superb utility!
Thank you Marion for your time! I loved discovering your journey and the world of Oden oils. See you soon!
I hope you enjoyed this portrait. To find out more about Oden oils, visit the website here.
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I read your story which made me want to try your products.
I'm going to your site to place my first order
I can't wait to see the results!
I'm going to be 80