208 Tamiami Trail, Unit 116
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
(941) 258-0169
www.skintopiabybina.com

Bina Dhariwal was born in a village in India surrounded by extended female family members that shared coveted beauty secrets from generations past. Having been formally educated abroad, she grasped the concept of global beauty early, and the core of her philosophy is rooted in ayurvedic science.

Her family immigrated to the U.S., and in 2005, Dhariwal opened Skintopia, a natural cosmetics and lifestyle products store and salon, in Punta Gorda, FL. With the help of her brother, Dr. Manoj Dhariwal as a trusted consultant, she combines the best of East and West knowledge and education.

Question: What is your background in retail and skin care?

Answer: I come from an immigrant family—my mother didn’t write or speak English. At an early age I became an Avon girl. My mom was my chaperone when I went door to door.

At 16, I went to boarding school in India and learned about ayurveda. Indians like beauty … also, we didn’t have a lot of money, so we used what we had at home, such as turmeric, lemon and chickpea flower for exfoliation.

My parents had two HAB stores in Manhattan where they sold products such as Max Factor and hair dye. When I came back from boarding school, I helped them behind the register.

At age 21 I worked for Estee Lauder, which was an amazing educational experience. But I began to see the importance of using products for skin care that didn’t include chemicals. At age 32 I went to the Aveda school in Minneapolis, MN and became a licensed esthetician—I wanted to go to the best and Aveda is ayurvedic based.

Question: Described as “a true candy store for women,” your salon/store is a pleasure to visit. Please detail its beginnings and growth.

Answer: Everything is from the gut; I had no business plan. I went into it with $30,000. I wished I had a store like this and then decided to do it. I had some clients, but my father told me it was never going to work. Still, I opened the store and later expanded the location.

It was my brother who suggested I give clients free facials to let them be able to afford to buy the products. We always do what is best and right for the client. It took 10 years in the business to become successful. If you really truly do what’s right for the clients, everything else follows.

My brother also suggested I set up the store like a “romper room” for customers. When I started out, I tried to see how I could make the store look like I had more inventory. Now I have a lot. You have to invest in your store and your people. The store started small and became bigger and bigger—it just evolved.

Question: Your brother is an MD and pharmacist. How is he involved in Skintopia, and how do you incorporate ayurvedic ideals in skin care and cosmetics?

Answer: My brother knows a lot about skin health. For example, he taught me about retinol and the skin barrier. He has a lot of background in ayurveda and I trust him.

I don’t go to trade shows—the bigger the store gets, the more reps come to me. I get at least a box of new products sent to me a week. My brother and I look them over, but most products don’t make the cut.

Question: What advice can you offer natural product retailers about choosing products and making recommendations to customers?

Answer: You have to have a variety of products because you have a variety of customers. We customized to each individual. Understand the products and understand the person—be good at what you’re doing. I look at the customer, their age, their skin, I ask where they live and what products they use—understand your client and understand the products you sell.

It may sound cliché, but skin health is from the inside out … my staff and I are not doctors, but we may ask a customer about medications and their general habits, if they are a smoker, etc. Our motto is one face at a time. Our passion is to do what’s right for the customer.

Question: Are there any new trends in skin care and cosmetics that you are excited about?

Answer: I’m not really a trend person and I’ve stuck to the basics and let the companies develop the product trends. One trend I do see is a return to organic and the basics. I’m always excited about new makeup colors, but we are going back to the garden.

I ask people in the industry, if you were to live on an island, what one beauty product would you take? They say serums and oils. Oil cleansers and serums are very effective. Also, education is definitely a trend. People will follow a skin care regimen if they understand it.