Can you introduce yourself ?
I am Virginie Bapaume, founder of the vegan nail polish brand 23Beauty Paris and mother of 3 children. I also have an association Beauté Plurielle which campaigns for more inclusion in the world of beauty as well as a communications agency.
What 3 adjectives could define you?
It's hard to choose 3! But I will say perseverance, enthusiasm, and generosity. I think these 3 notions fairly represent who I am both in my personal and professional life. Have a goal and do everything to achieve it, in a good mood and being open to others.
What is your greatest pride?
My greatest pride and accomplishment is obviously my family. Build it, see it grow, evolve and assert itself with kindness
What is the most important value that you would like to pass on to your children or that you spread to those around you?
Tolerance. This is really something that seems important to me. Respect and learn from others, their experiences, their stories, their customs and live together.
What makes you feel good?
Besides coffee, chocolate, and sport, it's the satisfaction of finishing a to-do list. Finishing something is ultra-satisfying. It's a very pleasant feeling, the fact of accomplishing and making things come to fruition;
What moments do you like to share with family or friends?
Cooking, sport, cinema sessions and travel. We are together, we transmit, we learn and we make lovely memories.
What would you like to achieve that is more ecological?
There are so many things to do ecologically, however, there is a step between awareness and the concrete actions that we can put in place. At my level, I will talk about my daily consumption. I would like to consume more local and more responsibly at every level and all the time. I do it for food, but not enough, the same for fashion. I would like to be able to do this and for my children to take it as a habit.
How do you see yourself in 15 years?
At the head of my company, more ecological, responsible and conscious in terms of ingredients, gestures and manufacturing. A fulfilling family business. I aspire to have a less stressful daily life, more focused on nature where we simply take the time.
What advice would you give to the person you were 20 years ago?
Stop being afraid and go for it!
What is a typical day in your life?
I wake up around 7 a.m., shower, get dressed, have my coffee and wake up the kids. No actually, my husband is responsible for lifting the big one and often the small ones. I'm not really a morning person. They get ready, I make them breakfast, then they head off to school. I walk my dog then go to the gym if I don't have an appointment in the morning, otherwise I reschedule for another time of the day. I go to work on my various projects all day. Once or twice a week, I stop at 4 p.m. to pick up the 2 little ones, otherwise the big one takes care of it, or my mom. After homework, I cook dinner with my children, or we walk the dog together. We end with a movie and manga session where the grown-up gets into a big discussion on a topic of the moment (ah teenagers). Then it’s parent time when the kids go to bed! Last herbal tea, beauty treatment, cinema and big discussion (We see where the teenager gets this habit from)
What makes you beautiful?
Sleep and drink plenty of water
What is your essential beauty routine?
I have combination skin that can become dehydrated quickly. So choosing the right moisturizer is the basis for me.
What do you have in your purse?
Many things ! Diary, pen, business card, wallets and tissues (mom life). I always have a nail polish remover pen and 3 polishes! My Dance in London glitter, for easy nail art or to fix a snag, a transparent base (my Base & Top) and my color of the moment. I never leave home without a colorful lip balm and hand cream.
What made you want to start a business?
For as long as I can remember, I have always seen myself at the head of a cosmetics company. As a black woman, there have always been failures in terms of taking our needs into account. Whether in terms of products, services or communication. So, having a brand with values has always made sense to me.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Do nothing!
What are your plans ?
Continue to develop my brand in terms of products and services, continue to train myself and promote inclusion and diversity.
What makes you strong?
My children ! It's my driving force to never give up.
What would you like to change on earth for your children?
I would like them to be able to feel safe no matter where they go. It doesn’t matter their style of clothing, their haircut or their desires.
What is your definition of beauty?
Beauty is unique to everyone and so different from one eye to another. For me, beauty is accepting yourself as you are and loving yourself.
What does being natural mean to you?
To be natural is to be yourself. This can be made up, or not, primped or not. To be natural is to be who we deeply are without changing in relation to the eyes of others.
Your biggest regret ?
My biggest regret is not having started entrepreneurship sooner.
Your wildest dream?
I never wrote it down or materialized it other than through thought. It is large, disproportionate, it combines values, ecology, mutual aid, circular economy, all with a premium side. I still keep it a little to myself!
