Luxury Skincare Brand Development: How Saka Essentials™ Built a Purpose-Driven Beauty Brand
Client Overview:
- Industry: Health & Wellness, Beauty & Lifestyle
- Niche: Holistic Wellness, Clean Beauty, Luxury Beauty
- Topic: Luxury Skincare Brand Development
- Business Type: B2C
- Scope of Work: Brand Strategy, Product Development, Supplier Sourcing, Brand Identity, Packaging Development, Marketing Strategy, and Launch Strategy
Saka Essentials™ was founded by Sakari Milan with the vision of creating a high-performance skincare brand tailored for melanin-rich skin. Drawing from ancestral beauty rituals and modern skincare science, Saka Essentials™ set out to redefine self-care by offering sustainably sourced, non-toxic, and efficacious formulations.
However, before launching, Sakari faced several challenges:
- Finding the right lab – She had already worked with two labs that failed to meet her standards for quality and ethical sourcing.
- Finalizing the formula – The hero product, an overnight mask, needed scientifically backed, results-driven ingredients that aligned with the brand’s clean beauty and sustainability ethos.
- Creating a strong brand identity – While the concept was clear, Saka Essentials™ lacked a fully developed brand story, positioning, and messaging to stand out in the competitive skincare industry.
- Sourcing packaging in alignment with sustainability values – Sakari wanted eco-conscious packaging but needed guidance on finding the right suppliers.
- Building a pre-launch marketing strategy – Saka Essentials™ needed a brand activation plan that would build anticipation before its official launch.
To bring Saka Essentials™ to life, Sakari partnered with Wild Woman Haus® for comprehensive luxury skincare brand development, product strategy, and marketing execution.
The Wild Woman Haus® Experience:
Phase 1: Product Development & Supplier Sourcing
A key component of luxury skincare brand development is ensuring that every ingredient is ethically sourced and scientifically backed, which is why we conducted an extensive supplier search.
Key Actions:
- Sourced a new lab – After a thorough vetting process, we identified and secured Genie Labs as a manufacturing partner that aligned with Sakari’s quality and sustainability standards.
- Researched ingredients & finalized the formula – The overnight mask was developed using sustainably sourced, non-toxic ingredients that were scientifically proven to heal dark spots and scars while being safe for sensitive skin.
- Supported product testing – Worked alongside Sakari during the testing phase, ensuring formulation stability and efficacy before moving forward with production.
- Developed product naming strategy – The signature product was named in a way that was trademarkable, securing a valuable intellectual property asset for the brand.
- Sourced sustainable packaging suppliers – Conducted a supplier search and vetting process to ensure all packaging choices met Saka Essentials™’ sustainability and aesthetic requirements.
Phase 2: Luxury Skincare Brand Development & Identity Design
Once the product was finalized, we shifted focus to creating a strong brand foundation that would resonate with the target audience and establish Saka Essentials™ as a leader in melanin-rich skincare.
Key Actions:
- Developed the brand’s core messaging – Centered around ancestral beauty wisdom, cultural pride, and modern skincare science.
- Created a brand manifesto – Articulated the brand’s deeper purpose, positioning Saka Essentials™ as a movement for empowerment, self-love, and sustainability.
- Defined brand pillars – Established the brand’s unique identity, built on:
- Transformation Over Transaction – Skincare as a journey, not just a product.
- Cultural & Ancestral Connection – Honoring traditional skincare practices for melanin-rich skin.
- Sustainability & Ethical Sourcing – Commitment to environmental consciousness.
- Refined the brand’s voice & tone – Positioned Saka Essentials™ as:
- Empowering – Encouraging confidence and self-love.
- Authentic – Deeply rooted in cultural heritage and transparency.
- Inspirational – Elevating skincare to an intentional self-care ritual.
- Created a visual identity – Developed a color palette, typography, and design direction reflecting luxury, cultural richness, and sustainability.
- Designed packaging concepts – Ensured that visual branding extended across all touchpoints, from product labels to the unboxing experience.
Phase 3: Audience Research & Market Positioning
Saka Essentials™’ success depended on reaching the right audience with a message that resonated. We conducted extensive research on consumer behavior, cultural trends, and market demand.
Target Audience Segments
- Culturally Engaged Wellness Advocates – Consumers who seek ancestral beauty wisdom and heritage-driven skincare.
- Eco-Conscious Skincare Enthusiasts – Consumers prioritizing sustainability and ethical sourcing.
- Socially Conscious Young Professionals – Professionals looking for inclusive, high-performance beauty brands.
- Holistic Health & Self-Care Advocates – Individuals who integrate skincare into their wellness rituals.
- Progressive Cultural Trendsetters – Socially active consumers seeking skincare with a mission.
Competitive Positioning
Saka Essentials™ positioned itself differently from mainstream skincare brands by:
- Offering skincare solutions tailored for melanin-rich skin that mainstream brands often neglect.
- Integrating cultural and ancestral beauty practices into modern formulations.
- Prioritizing sustainability and clean beauty, ensuring safe, ethical sourcing of ingredients.
- Emphasizing self-care as empowerment, making skincare part of a larger emotional wellness journey.
Phase 4: Pre-Launch Marketing for Luxury Skincare Brand Development
With the brand identity, messaging, and audience insights in place, we developed a multi-channel marketing strategy to build awareness and excitement for the brand’s launch.
Key Actions:
- Beta Launch Strategy – Designed a limited beta release to test the product’s receptivity among a small group of target customers.
- Social Media Launch Plan – Created a content calendar and marketing assets for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, focusing on:
- Educational skincare content
- Behind-the-scenes product development
- Founder storytelling & brand mission
- UGC (User-Generated Content) campaigns
- Monthly Newsletter Strategy – Built an email marketing plan to nurture an engaged community pre-launch.
- Website Enhancements – Integrated interactive experiences that allowed customers to engage with the brand beyond just shopping.
- Brand Photoshoot Coordination – Partnered with GOTHGLOSS, a creative collaborator of Wild Woman Haus®, to develop stunning brand visuals.
Results & Impact: How Luxury Skincare Brand Development Transformed Saka Essentials™
Through our partnership, Saka Essentials™ evolved into a fully realized brand with a clear identity, high-quality product, and strong pre-launch strategy.
- Secured a high-quality manufacturing partner (Genie Labs) aligned with the brand’s values.
- Finalized a unique, trademarkable product name to enhance brand equity.
- Developed a high-performance skincare formula that is scientifically backed, clean, and effective for melanin-rich skin.
- Built a differentiated brand story and messaging framework, elevating Saka Essentials™ beyond just skincare into a movement for self-love and empowerment.
- Developed a robust marketing strategy that prepared the brand for a strong, community-driven launch.
Client Testimonial
“Two words: Chef’s kiss! I’m extremely grateful to have found WWH…Tristan is quite literally a genius and such a beautiful gift to anyone’s team. She truly cares about your success. WWH helped me tell my personal story and brand story in the most effective and comprehensive way. If you’re seeking guidance on branding whatsoever, look no further than here!”
— Sakari Milan, Founder of Saka Essentials™
Looking to Build a Purpose-Driven Brand?
If you need brand strategy, product development, and marketing guidance to create a high-impact, mission-driven brand, we can help.
Book a complimentary 30-minute strategy call with Wild Woman Haus® founder Tristan Thibodeau and take the next step in building your brand.
Meet the Team Behind This Transformation
Tristan Thibodeau – Brand Strategist
Founder of Wild Woman Haus®, Tristan specializes in strategic brand development for wellness, beauty, and health entrepreneurs. She helps brands clarify their positioning, refine their messaging, and create sustainable growth strategies. She also hosts The Wild Woman Hotline podcast, featuring expert-level conversations on brand strategy.
Victoria Jackson – Brand & Web Designer
Founder of Reinvented Marketing, Victoria specializes in creating high-impact brand identities and websites that balance aesthetics with strategy. Her expertise lies in developing clean, contemporary, and visually compelling designs that enhance brand credibility and customer experience. She ensures every touchpoint—from website layouts to digital assets—aligns seamlessly with the brand’s positioning.
Innacos Labs – Product Development Team
Led by a powerhouse team of cosmetic chemists, R&D specialists, and logistics professionals, Innacos Labs played a key role in product development and formulation strategy. Their expertise includes Custom Formulation & Manufacturing, Packaging & Logistics, and Regulatory Compliance & Quality Control.
