The Philosophy of Beauty with Ada Polla, CEO of Alchimie Forever
When reflecting on beauty the enlightenment philosopher David Hume said:
It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them, and each mind perceives a different beauty.
The nature of beauty is one of the most enduring and controversial themes in Western philosophy - beauty has been counted among the ultimate values, with goodness, truth, and justice. But what is beauty exactly? In today’s episode, my guest Ada Polla, the CEO of Alchimie Forever, and a long-time beauty industry friend gets into this very topic.
Ada grew up in a very close-knit family with three sisters, the daughter of world-renowned Swiss dermatologist Dr. Luigi Polla — the first medical doctor to introduce laser technology to Europe. She started working with her father when she was a child. Saying Ada was raised in the world of beauty is an understatement. Skincare, beauty, and the importance of looking your best in order to feel good were a part of her upbringing.
As Ada launched Alchimie Forever, she and her family had a goal of bringing the magical and the mystical to skincare while using science to transform skin into something that’s like gold. I met Ada back in my corporate beauty days - we’ve spent many days exploring the industry, meeting prominent and prestigious experts, and hearing their stories at conferences, workshops, boardroom meetings, and beyond.
Knowing Ada I thought, there’s no better person to discuss the philosophy of beauty with than her. As I was prepping for our conversation I came across several definitions and quotes about beauty from poets, scientists, and philosophers:
Aristotle says in the Poetics that
To be beautiful, a living creature, and every whole made up of parts, must … present a certain order in its arrangement of parts.
The romantic poet John Keats was one of literature’s great beauty obsessives. Keats says:
Beauty is truth, truth beauty, that is all.
Oscar Wilde says:
Beauty is a form of genius.
And from Coco Chanel:
Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.
Ada and I reflect on each of these definitions and contribute our own thoughts on what it means to be beautiful. What does beauty feel like to you?
As spiritual people - sometimes we may ask ourselves - is it vain to think about beauty and our skincare rituals? Can we be mystical people and care about our outward appearance too? What about body modification, and beauty-enhancing procedures like botox, fillers, etc? These are all questions that Ada and I dive into in this episode.
Learn more about today’s show guest:
Ada Polla is the CEO of Alchemie Forever, a skincare expert, entrepreneur, and lover of art and champagne.
Ada Polla launched her family’s Swiss-based skincare line in the US in 2004 and has run the company, Alchimie Forever®, ever since.
Having earned a BA from Harvard University and an MBA from Georgetown prior to the launch, it might come as no surprise that, today, the brand boasts global visibility and distribution. Ada’s focus and determination have produced double-digit annual growth and garnered her several press-worthy opportunities to share knowledge from her family’s dermatologic practice and research.
Her passion for the science of anti-aging skincare has led to her securing partnerships with exclusive spas, specialty boutiques, pharmacies, and online partners. Ada continues to share her family’s philosophy that healthy skin can be achieved by using clean and clinical skincare products.
Ada contributes to several industry magazines and speaks at top universities and leading industry conferences. She was featured on the cover of BusinessWeek’s SmallBiz and was one of the top five finalists nominated for Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year by Entrepreneur Magazine.
Interested in entering the episode giveaway?
Win $200 to spend on @alchimieforever’s self-care through skincare products + $200 to spend on your summer wellness reset at @ouiwestudio.
To enter:
Follow @alchimieforever & @ouiwestudio
Like the collaborative post and tag a friend who loves their skincare and wellness rituals as much as you!
Share the giveaway (and tag us) in your stories for an extra entry!
Double bonus: listen to the episode and leave a review for Andi & Ada’s @yourwoowoobff episode on Apple Podcast!
A winner will be drawn and announced in stories on Tuesday, 6/28!
The winner will receive a $200 credit to both alchimieforever.com and ouiwestudio.com — credits can be applied to any purchase on each site.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
4 Steps to Design & Master Your Manifestation Plan Masterclass is now open for registration!
Have questions, or want to say hi, text me 📱at +1 (323) 405-9256!
Upcoming events to know about:
✨ BALI RETREAT✨
March 27 - April 3, 2023 (open to all) - hold your space by visiting Oui, We Studio (@ouiwestudio).
The studio is designed to empower you and support your personal well-being. The courses and retreats offered inside the studio are focused on Manifestation, guidance to pursue your highest calling, as well as personal and professional development.
This show is produced, mixed, recorded + additional music by T'Ben Alleman
Closing music: Pet Fangs
