Career Diaries: Sol de Janeiro Founding Partner Camila Pierotti on How Brazil’s Attitude Toward Beauty Inspired the Brand

July 08, 2020

By: Genesis Rivas | skincare.com by L'Oréal

I remember the first time I used the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. I was completely enthralled by the sweet, tropical scent that instantly transported me to a beach vacation in my mind. I haven’t been able to get enough of the products ever since so I was excited to chat with one of the company’s founding partners, Camila Pierotti, to get an inside look on the brand’s origin. Here, she spills everything from the inspiration behind the brand, her favorite products, advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and what’s next for Sol de Janeiro.

What was your background before you started Sol de Janeiro?

I worked in the beauty industry for ten years before taking a huge risk and quitting my job to start Sol de Janeiro. I worked in global marketing at Clinique where I learned the fundamentals of marketing along with best practices for executing programs. Then, at NARS, I learned how to maneuver through a less structured environment and figure out how to get stuff done without any guidance. Both experiences taught me valuable lessons.

What inspired you to start Sol de Janeiro?

The love for my home country of Brazil and its attitude towards beauty. Brazilians love taking care of their bodies and they also love to look natural. They also don’t like to hide and aren’t afraid to show off.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

The beauty industry is so special because everyone’s relationship with it is so personal and complex. I love developing products that people interact with on a daily basis and my goal is to always create products that bring people joy.

What’s your favorite Sol de Janeiro product?

I have favorites for different moments of the day. I never leave home without applying Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. At home, my two little kids and I use Brazilian Nude Cream. I also love the Samba Foot Fetish to help keep my feet smooth and touchable.

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What is some advice you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Prepare yourself for a life full of contradictions. Have a plan to guide you forward and learn how to pivot and change that plan. Be patient when you feel things are moving slowly and brace yourself when the business is propelled forward. Celebrate the milestones and don’t be discouraged by setbacks or failures.

What is your daily beauty routine?

My nighttime shower is a huge part of my beauty routine. I always exfoliate and cleanse my face and body and when I wash my hair, I leave a deep conditioner in for a few minutes while I scrub my feet. Once I am out of the shower, I moisturize all over.

What’s next for the brand?

We’ve had a big start to 2020, launching our Brazilian Joia Shampoo and Conditioner and our first fine fragrance, SOL Cheirosa ’62. We also just launched our Bum Bum Body Scrub. We will continue to launch more hair products and scents, so stay tuned.

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Beauty is… an attitude.

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