Introducing Charlotte from Charlottes Lab. Where every item is handmade!! From her home in Shepparton, Victoria, Charlotte creates vegan and cruelty free skincare, haircare and body products.
Find out why Charlotte started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
At Charlotte's Lab, I create natural, vegan, cruelty-free skincare and haircare products that are backed by science and made with care. Every product is formulated, tested, and handmade by me, from choosing the active ingredients to blending, pouring, and labelling each batch. I keep my range simple and effective, with no unnecessary steps or hype ingredients. Just skincare that works.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
I studied Chemistry at Melbourne University, then started working as a Cosmetic Chemist in contract manufacturing. I learned a lot, but over time I realised I wanted to create products that I truly believed in, formulas that put the science first and kept things simple.
I went from managing a lab and making products for big brands to creating my own small-batch range where I could be hands-on and intentional with every single product.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
I'm inspired by real skin and real people, not marketing trends. I see so many products packed with buzzy ingredients that sound great but don't actually do much. My focus is on what the skin really needs and making products that work.
A lot of my inspiration comes from everyday moments, like when my niece couldn't find a good hair mask for her very dry, curly hair. I made one just for her, and that became my Intense Moisture Hair Mask. Those are the moments that spark something real.
Where did you learn your craft?
After studying Chemistry at Melbourne Uni, I started working as a Cosmetic Chemist. It was the perfect way to apply my science background to something practical and creative. I worked my way up to Senior Chemist and Laboratory Manager, learning the ins and outs of formulating skincare. Eventually, I decided to take everything I'd learned and build something of my own.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
Handmade artistry is so important as it means I can do things properly, with care, purpose, and full control. In my previous role, I was making dozens of products a day for brands who barely knew what was going into them.
Now, I'm hands-on with every formula. I choose the ingredients, test everything myself, and make sure it lives up to my standards. Handmade means staying connected to what I'm making and the people I'm making it for.
Charlotte is a much loved member of the Madeit Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ The Handmade Marketplace of Australia ~ and sharing her new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Charlottes Lab, make sure you join our FB Group and say hi !
