CEO Mary Schulman already had a business: a natural snack business, to be exact. But after selling her company to Utz Quality foods, Schulman took a look inside her makeup bag and realized she didn’t want her teenage daughter (or herself, or anyone for that matter) to be using toxic chemicals in their cosmetics.
Schulman teamed up with college friend Amy Carr, who was already a beauty industry insider, and after two-and-a-half years, the duo launched PYT Beauty. The co-founders emphasize sustainable packaging, and launched eco-conscious packaging on Earth Day 2021, noting that all products are made with Recycled Plastic (PCR) and where possible the packaging is also recyclable.
Below, The Knockturnal connected with CEO Schulman to discuss next steps for the empire.
The Knockturnal: How do the recycled plastics and sugarcane based plastic play into the packaging?
Mary Schulman: All of the packaging that holds our products is made with Recycled Plastic (PRC). The range varies from 15-97% PCR. Additionally, the tube that holds our Dew Me Lip Gloss and Baby Got Base Eye Primer is made with 38% Sugarcane Based Plastic.
The Knockturnal: What are some of your favorite products and bestsellers?
Mary Schulman: Our Brow Goals pencil is the product in our portfolio that is one that no one should have to live without. I personally never used a brow pencil before, but now I won’t even go to the gym or grocery store without filling in my brows! It is the best easy to use, foolproof, retractable pencil that shapes, defines, and fills in brows for an everyday polished look. Its unique tip makes it easy to draw on brow hairs with precision and fills in sparse areas. It comes with a built-in spoolie to groom brows, and secret sharpener for extra precision. Not to mention it’s also sustainable, made with 47% recycled plastic, formulated with nourishing Vitamin E, and 100% Cruelty-Free, Hypoallergenic, Vegan, Not Irritant For The Eyes, and Harsh Chemical Free.
The Knockturnal: The capsule collection set up with a small, curated selection of products really drives home the fun branding. What is the marketing behind PYT?
Mary Schulman: While we have some very important messages to share such as the importance of clean beauty and sustainable packaging, we also believe that makeup is fun. We use our voice to bring awareness to the need for clean ingredients in an exciting and colorful way.
The Knockturnal: Who is the PYT customer?
Mary Schulman: Our mission at PYT Beauty is to offer clean, affordable sustainably packaged makeup for all those that seek it and our customers align with this. We know that clean beauty has typically been for the very wealthy, but we didn’t think that was fair. We have lowered our own margins so that we can stay true to our mission and give all those that desire clean beauty that is sustainably packaged an opportunity to make a switch.
The Knockturnal: What’s next for PYT?
Mary Schulman: We will continue to listen to what our customers want. We are currently working on creating products that meet our standards of clean ingredients in sustainable packaging at fair prices. We plan to release new products mostly in the eye category.
