In this edition, I’ve enjoyed getting to know two skincare entrepreneurs based in the West End at different stages of their journey. A start up and an established business with a strong reputation where clients travel from all over Scotland to visit. The skincare game in the West End of Glasgow is strong.
By Elena Taggart
I spoke with Fraser Wilson of Dussl to find out more about the brand, their ethos and about Fraser himself. What was it that motivated him to start Dussl, a gender-neutral skincare brand in cloudy Glasgow?
Fraser Wilson
‘My background is in marketing, I finished my degree and had a variety of great roles. I worked with Caulders Garden Centres, Scottish Power and latterly I was Head of Marketing for a US based tech company. The journey was one of crazy fast growth, my team grew and grew, the business and the demands on me grew and grew. I was flying non stop, all over the world. It sounds really glamorous and fun, but it was also all consuming.’
‘I have always had an entrepreneurial heart and I wanted to start my own business. I knew starting a side hustle wasn’t an option, because the role demanded so much of my time. Around springtime last year I started to feel burnt out, so I was thinking what’s my next step? I had lots of ideas, different businesses, but something I kept coming back to was I felt there was a gap when it came to skincare. So I thought, right I’m going to have to take my brave pills and it’s time to go do this!’
I couldn’t help but ask Fraser why he chose to start a skincare brand over maybe something more related to supplements?
Dussl
Fraser explained, while living the fast life, the constant air travel and living out of a suitcase left him struggling with bug after bug. He said ‘ That’s when I started digging into and learning about health, gut microbiome and how the skin microbiome can affect everything. How the health of your skin can connect so strongly with your overall health and wellbeing. And that’s where I realised there was a gap in the market in skincare.’
Fraser feels that, while the skincare market is crowded, there was nothing that spoke to him as a consumer. He feels that the skincare market is hyper gendered, there are very feminine products and very masculine products. On top of this there are products which are super clinical and routines that are overly complicated to the point you feel like you need a ‘science degree’ to understand all the product attributes.
‘I felt there was a gap for a product that was more gender neutral, and simplified the routine. When you look at what really matters to our skin and the number one cause of skin damage, aging and wrinkles is unpredicted UV exposure.’
This led Fraser to research and develop Dussl, with a product line that focuses on making the steps to skin care simple and with a focus on SPF, heat, and low light protection. Fraser works with a number of labs mainly in the UK to manufacture his product line. They focus on high-performance and high-quality ingredients.
The brand’s philosophy is to simplify skincare with effective, dermatologically tested, and cruelty-free formulas. His conscious decision to be a gender-neutral brand, is an aim to promote inclusivity as sun protection is important for everyone. I think this is a clever step in the often gendered and segmented skincare market.
The Importance of SPF
While primarily available online and direct-to-consumer, Dussl products are also stocked at Hoos in the Westend of Glasgow. Fraser emphasised that to him, it’s so important to have products where they can be physically engaged with, and where he can get the opportunity to connect with customers and gain real-life feedback.
The main question I wanted to ask was do we really need to wear SPF all year round, even when it’s cloudy? Fraser stressed that UVA rays, which cause aging and can contribute to skin cancer, are present even on cloudy days. While people often associate SPF with sunburn protection (UVB), daily UVA protection is crucial for long-term skin health. Dussl’s hero product is an SPF50 daily moisturiser designed to easily replace a regular morning moisturiser but also offer SPF protection. They also offer a 100% natural mineral sunscreen in SPF30 and SPF50 for full body use.
Fraser’s mission is to ‘protect your skin for life’ through effective and simplified skincare, including sun protection; 1% of all Dussle sales goes to Melanoma UK to support advocacy and research for skin cancer. Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is the fifth most common cancer in the UK. Rates have been increasing, with a rise of almost a third between 2009 and 2019, especially in younger age groups. So now is a really pivotal time to get on top of this trend and quash it.
What advice would you give anyone curious to start their own brand? Fraser believes the first most crucial step is just to start, ‘there is never a perfect time’. Fraser believes in the premise of 1% marginal gains, the power of small daily compounding improvements to achieve significant long-term progress.
Westender readers will get a discount on their first online order of Dussl when they sign up to the newsletter on dussl.com and you can follow them on instagram @dussl
Kasia Ojrzynska
Speaking with the lovely Kasia Ojrzynska, owner of Esteem Beauty on Great Western Road, it was immediately evident she also had taken brave steps to fulfil her dreams of a career in Skincare.
Born and raised in Poland, 20 years ago Kasia felt she was in need of a change and decided to move to the UK. “I chose Glasgow by literally putting my finger on a map and it is now my home. At this time I spoke absolutely no English, unsure if this was an act of bravery or folly, I came anyway.” An incredibly brave move!
After being in Glasgow for a year, Kasia continued to travel back and forth to Poland regularly, and over the course of two years she studied for a Masters degree in Advanced Skincare from the Medical Academy in Lodz. ‘I had a longstanding interest in dermatology and skincare and I was so interested in pursuing a career in this field.’
Fast forward to today, Kasia has worked in skincare for over 25 years and she founded her salon, Esteem Beauty around 16 years ago. ‘Owning a salon has always been an aspiration of mine, and I take satisfaction in helping people feel good about themselves. My motivation is rooted in the benefits of the profession rather than basic financial gain. I just love making people feel fantastic!’
I was curious where the inspiration for the name Esteem Beauty had come from? Kasia explained, “in the Polish language, jestem translates to I am, therefore Esteem Beauty. I am Beauty!” The salon offers specialist skincare treatments and semi-permanent makeup services and their team of skincare experts are a tight knit team.
Specialist Treatments
‘I aim to enhance the skin’s condition before the need for additional interventions arises. Semi-permanent make-up is especially beneficial for anyone who might wish to improve their eyebrows. These which are often over-waxed or plucked.’
I totally get this one, hello 90’s skinny brows! Mine are still to grow back! For Kasia it’s about providing a long-lasting solution for her clients to make them look and feel great again.
It’s not just treatments to correct our 90’s over enthusiasm for plucking, Kasia also works with clients who have alopecia or those who are about to undergo chemotherapy to disguise the loss of hair via Scalp Micropigmentation, a cosmetic tattooing technique designed to mimic real hair follicles. It’s clear that Kasia prides herself in using techniques to help clients build lost confidence and overcome conditions that simply can’t be helped.
Sustainability is crucial to Kasia ‘I will always provide products which are animal and earth friendly. My aim is to help and educate individuals on effective skincare regimens and address their specific skin needs, ensuring they look and feel their best.’ Similarly to Fraser, she really wants to focus on products that are high quality and offer great results, while also being kind to the skin and environment.
From Far and Wide
For anyone wishing to start their own business, whatever the industry Kasia says,
‘Any new business owner has to have drive, ambition and not be afraid of hard work. They also have to be truthful and authentic.’ This drive and enthusiasm is evident in the way Kasia talks about her salon which recently acquired new permanent premises still on Great Western Road, but this time on the opposite side. This move was made more challenging due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, which required Kasia to wear a medical boot for four months, but the new premises were still successfully opened on time. So driven! The new premises offer Esteem Beauty clients more space and improved facilities to enjoy their treatments in.
Kasia works with clients not only from the West End but from all over Scotland. They travel to see her because of the strength of her reputation. ‘Our clientele includes both local residents and individuals from various regions across Scotland.’ What does she think of having based her business in the West End? ‘I consider the West End my home. It is vibrant, safe, and future-oriented, making it an ideal place to run a business. Kelvinbridge has a very friendly and well-established business community that I am happy to be part of.’
@Esteembeautyglasgow can also be found on instagram or visit Esteem’s website HERE
