BeautyTalks with Agata Podczaska, Owner of HAPPYMORE

How did HAPPYMORE come to be? 

My love affair with wellbeing and natural care began when I decided to slow down and I realized that my creativity lies within the present moment. When I am spiritually conscious and when I’m creative… whether it be ideas, projects or products. When I can share my passion with others. 

In 2011, I created HAPPYMORE Academy to help develop an awareness of the body-mind balance, holistic health and wellbeing. For almost 8 years, with my team, we inspired almost 200 alumni in Health & Nutrition Coaching Programs. After 2 years, in 2013 I made many discoveries in herbal & lifestyle medicine, as well as in cosmetology in medicine that filled me with further inspiration. That was the moment when the HAPPYMORE brand was born - my goal was to benefit as many women as possible on a daily basis. 

Since 2013, I have been creating luxury, niche skincare products using precious ingredients and new generation technology, always looking for an immovable balance between nature, science and creativity. The philosophy of our brand is caught in every jar and bottle of HAPPYMORE and is ready to be gifted as daily inspiration. I believe that wellbeing is available here and now for each of us. We are created with love and for love, to live a meaningful life in happiness and harmony with ourselves and the world. 

What is the inspiration behind the name HAPPYMORE?

A person is always searching for meaning and happiness. I am too. HAPPYMORE is about looking deeper while searching for happiness. HAPPYMORE means authentic happiness with who you are in the present moment.HAPPYMORE was created to empower women to embrace their authentic, natural beauty.

HAPPYMORE is a lifestyle which goes far beyond cosmetics.

It stands for natural products for the inspirational, aware and wonderful humans that we are.

“HAPPYMORE was created to empower women to embrace their authentic, natural beauty.”

What is your go-to HAPPYMORE product?

I love them all. Each of our products were created with the aim to address a certain need or wish of a person, or to serve a specific purpose; just like HAPPYMORE RICH was created thinking of my Mum, the Indigo Night serum for Lucy, my daughter, or our aromatherapy collection which was designed to uplift all the senses.

My personal go-to HAPPYMORE product now must be the Vitamin C Bright Face Serum. It is a part of my morning routine, when I apply it onto my face with a few pumps of the HAPPYMORE Organic Rose Vibration Mist right after washing it with cool water. It is nourishing and at the same time light, It hydrates the skin and helps it regenerate. After a period of regular use, the skin feels much smoother and well nourished. It also helps with discoloration. I cannot imagine my morning skincare routine without it.

After testing dozens of formulas, what made this formula most suitable for HAPPYMORE?

Myself. I have very sensitive skin that is prone to irritation. Through conversations with my friends, I realized that finding the right formulas was a struggle of theirs too. I did a plethora of research and attended courses such as the Pharmacognosy and Cosmetics in Medicine, to discover the best solutions. I began to experiment with different options and through the trial and error method, managed to develop the best formulas I could have thought of. In HAPPYMORE we offer a wide variety of different formulas: richer, heavier ones such as the one of the PURE GOLD 3 cream or more lightweight ones such as our LIGHT Cream. Throughout the years, as my knowledge and experience has been broadening, I have been ongoingly improving the formulas, to make sure they stand up to the highest expectations or even beyond. 

How important is being clean to HAPPYMORE?

It is our absolute and foremost priority to offer cosmetics that would not only benefit the skin on a surface level, but also never pose any threat to skin or overall health. We follow the latest scientific discoveries in the field of dermatology and produce our cosmetics according to the highest GMP standards in Europe. HAPPYMORE Skincare products are 100 % safe, vegan and cruelty free. Dermatologically and allergy tested. Free of parabens, mineral oils, phthalates, petrolatum, formaldehyde, cocamide DEA, propylene glycol, triclosan, myristyl myristate, GMOs, nitrates, SLS and artificial colorants.

What goes into developing a HAPPYMORE product? 

Inspiration from nature and people. Lots of love, thoughtfulness and care.

Tell us more about HAPPYMORE’s quality botanical ingredients!

We buy the ingredients for our cosmetics from best suppliers from all around the world, we ensure that botanical ingredients come from countries where they naturally exist, such as the blue tansy oil from Morocco. Moroccan tansy is also called blue chamomile and should not be confused with our European common tansy. Blue chamomile grows in Morocco and only there. However, its beneficial effects on the skin have long been known all over the world. And that’s because of blue tansy, heavenly oil. Also helichrysum italicum which we have from Italy has been used in the Mediterranean region for millennia as a longevity ingredient and cure for many ailments and improving the quality of everyday life. Or top quality rose water, from rosa damascena, organic certified from Bulgaria. The same with aromatherapy, for example lavender from France, Bergamot from Italy, ylang-ylang from Madagascar. All the ingredients we buy are vegan certified. Wherever possible, we always strive for organic certificates as well.

“We buy the ingredients for our cosmetics from the best suppliers from all around the world, we ensure that botanical ingredients come from countries where they naturally exist.”

What is HAPPYMORE’s mission?

We empower authenticity, awareness and quality.

Our mission is to create natural and vegan aromatherapy cosmetics of genuine quality for unforgettable quality of the present moment. With awareness, that beauty is not only achieved by good quality skincare, but most of all by a holistic approach to taking care of oneself, loved ones and nature.

CONSCIOUS BEAUTY Products should be designed to achieve their desired function while being safe for the skin and the body, as well as cruelty free, vegan and natural.

HAPPYMORE is a holistic concept based on my belief that wellbeing is available here and now for each of us. We are created with love and for love and to live a meaningful life in happiness and harmony with ourselves and the world around us. Our mission is to support people on this journey promoting healthy lifestyle and meaningful life.

“Our mission is to create natural and vegan aromatherapy cosmetics of genuine quality for the unforgettable quality of the present moment.”

How has HAPPYMORE evolved throughout the years? 

First, HAPPYMORE Institute was born as a holistic answer for people searching for personal growth, health and well-being, then it developed into HAPPYMORE Academy and became the educational wing of HAPPYMORE. In HAPPYMORE Academy in cooperation with private universities we deliver coaching programs and one year post diploma studies in health and nutrition. 

And finally as a cherry on a cake, there is HAPPYMORE Skincare - Our products are just an excuse for further explorations of natural, aware, inspirational, amazing and happy living.

Wide range of natural, organic and 100% vegan and cruelty free ingredients increase the efficacy of HAPPYMORE products, extending its nourishing and regenerative properties.

At the beginning, we were mostly distributing our products do spas. After some time we realized that a more convenient way of accessing our products by customers is needed. Now we mostly sell online, through our website, as well as on niche marketplaces.

What inspired you to get into the skincare industry?

It was a process from the inside out. It came naturally. I loved to be an alchemist when I was a child, mixing together what I had on hand, which later evolved into making ointments, creating my own formulas, handmade creams, serums, mists, and aromatherapy and perfume. I played with it full of curiosity and joy. I’ve always been fascinated with all the natural colors and aromas, which were transporting me to the most beautiful places in my memories. 

From when I can remember, I have been well oriented with the skincare market and my friends have always been asking me about recommendations on skincare and perfume. And then it just happened, I followed my passion and here I am, with the most wonderful company and a community of conscious and beautiful women.

What has been your most memorable moment with HAPPYMORE?

When HAPPYMORE was at the stage of delivering products and holistic rituals to spas, I remember our trip to Dubai where we had the opportunity to present ourselves in 3 different spas - Armani Spa, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khamah. 

Alongside my master therapist, I went there for pre-appointed meetings with spa managers and we presented our then new ritual with 24 karat gold. It was amazing to see our lovely  cosmetics in the most beautiful spa interiors. The most amazing thing was to see how the thin leaves of the gold mask were penetrating different skin of different colors. And finally, to hear that our products are first class. It was such a beautiful and moving experience.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Traveling which expands my curiosity, meditating which fills me with peace, reading which broadens my spectrum, knitting which helps my overthinking, and cooking with passion for my beloved family. I am a very good chef!

What’s next for HAPPYMORE?

 Perfume, very soon!