Randi Christiansen
Randi Christiansen is the Co-founder of Nécessaire. Randi is based in LA
Starting where others ended and building the iconic body brand.
Many brands come and go without leaving even a smidge of a mark that body-care pioneer Nécessaire has left on the beauty industry. With the beauty industry growing more and more saturated by the day and the white space leaning towards fictitious, it’s rare for a brand to pave the way forward in a whole new category. But Randi has done exactly that with Nécessaire.
That’s why we jumped at the opportunity to interview Nécessaire’s co-founder Randi Christiansen in celebration of the brand’s exclusive launch across MECCA Australia and New Zealand.
What is Nécessaire’s genesis?
Soon after Nick and I met in Los Angeles, we decided to start a business together. We were inspired to design the personal care we need – The Necessary™ – that supports our health and wellness. We set out to use our business to make a positive environmental impact everywhere we can. We decided to start where others end: To make body care a first thought, not the conventional afterthought. We felt it deserved another level of attention. After all, skin does not stop at the neck. We asked ourselves what it might look like if we were to treat our body like our face. What are the necessary products? What are the necessary ingredients? What are the necessary moments we take in someone's life? It became clear that it is about creating personal care made in a better way using facial-grade skincare ingredients at clinical concentrations to deliver results, with transparency and responsibility at our core.
How long did it take to bring Nécessaire to market?
We launched Nécessaire in November 2018, but the formulations had been a few years in the making.
Why do you think Nick and yourself gelled so well as business partners?
Nick and I came to the brand with different backgrounds and a different value-add. Nick came from the editorial lens and I came from the brand | product lens. We like to say that the sum is greater than its part. Our brand, our product, our content and our footprint all became better because we brought nuance and opinion to it from different vantage points.
What were the challenges or roadblocks you faced when building the brand, and how did you overcome them?
As we set out to launch a brand (and a business), I learned fast that there is an obstacle and a roadblock at every turn. Being a pioneer in skincare for the body (real skincare) was the biggest obstacle. Many people asked me; why do you want to start where others end. To me, our purpose — the idea of pioneering a new category as well as using our business to make an environmental impact at every turn — is what gives me the resilience on hard days.
Do you invest in independent clinical studies to substantiate your products’ results?
All of our products undergo third-party clinical testing to procure Hypoallergenic, Dermatologist-Tested and Non-Comedogenic certification. For select products, we also undergo Clinical Perception Studies, where 30-50+ participants use the products to substantiate results.
You have such a devoted community. How have you fostered this?
We named the brand Nécessaire because it is the filter for all we do. Everything has to be necessary. The ingredients. The products. The content. We have to recognize we are a part of someone’s life and that matters. We always aim to provide value, transparency, and a point of view. We are humbled by everyone who is a part of our community and grateful they have made room for us.
Congratulations on launching into MECCA. Talk to me about how this retail partnership came about.
It has been a dream of ours to launch with MECCA. We eventually had a dialogue with MECCA and agreed it would be a fit. We had a lot of work to do to make our products ready for global sales. Now we are, and I am humbled by this partnership.
What is one product from your range you recommend to everyone and why?
The Body Lotion is like a wrap of comfort with Niacinamide and Luxe Oils to support the skin's protective barrier. I go into the day or night feeling better when I use it.
What is your best-selling product?
The Body Wash. It makes the moment in the shower better. It includes three luxe oils — Marula, Cacay and Meadowfoam Oil — that provide a functional benefit and a rich honey-like texture. We swapped harsh sulfates for gentle plant-based surfactants that clean effectively without stripping skin or giving you that dry itchy feeling when you get out of the shower. We have three scent options: Fragrance-Free and pure essential oil blends Eucalyptus and Bergamot.
What’s next in 2023 for Nécessaire?
In 2023 we will focus on strengthening our core portfolio, while also expanding our treatment options. To us, efficacy is king in all we do. You are going to see us elevate the game and lean into our motto: Treat Your Body Like Your Face™. Nécessaire will launch in Acne (Salicylic Acid) and Repair (Retinol).
What skincare products are you currently using on your face?
I am a Scandinavian girl. The philosophy is less but better. I believe in hydration. I am obsessed with water rituals. I invest in the very best in moisture. Right now, I use Vintner’s Daughter (The Oil), Barbara Sturm (The Face Cream) and Barbara Sturm (Hyaluronic Acid).
Who inspires you?
Nature. All aspects of it. Its beauty and its resilience. I love being in the mountains - most particularly with my husband, my daughters and my two bullmastiffs - Oak and Ash. We like deep hikes, early nights and family dinners. The simple moments. Plus, a day outdoors will give you the best glow. The glow of happiness.
Interview - Liam Sharma
