In March, Veil Cosmetics CEO Sébastien Tardif announced he was stepping down from the beauty brand he founded in 2012. 

Tardif made his first mark in beauty as celebrity makeup artist working from New York, London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong. His clientele included Naomi Campbell, Nelly Furtado, Jane Fonda and Olivia Palermo, to name just a few.

Under his leadership, Veil Cosmetics created products like Complexion Fix Automatte and Complexion Fix Mattifying Balm— which fans love for their weightless, multitasking properties. The brand even made it into department stores in nine countries including Henri Bendel and Holt Renfrew among others, though today Veil Cosmetics is being sold online.

But now, a dozen years later, Tardif is ready to shift his creative energies and business acumen in new directions—and that may include beauty. It makes sense; the drive to create that’s inside most indie brand founders is strong; these aren’t people likely to remain idle—not for very long, any way. (Just ask Bobbi Brown or Craig Dubitsky, for example.)

Happi caught up with Tardif to talk about Veil and what his future may hold. 

Happi: What is behind your departure from the CEO post at Veil Cosmetics?
Tardif: After over 12 years at the helm of the brand I conceptualized and created from scratch, it felt like the right time to move on and find new challenges and inspiration. I have always embraced change and have always thrived in it.

Happi: What are you most proud of during your tenure, and why?
Tardif: That I was able to remain true to my original vision throughout and that the brand was able to thrive while I was involved for over 12 years. I am also very proud of all the evergreen products I created, a dream come true.

Happi:  As a founder, what advice do you have for other founders in beauty?
Tardif: Face your challenges head on as they are valuable lessons to learn from and pivot as needed. Also, spend your budget wisely: the vultures are forever circling and will attempt to attract everything they can from you.

Happi:  Can you share an example with us about a misstep— something that you would have done differently—as CEO or while you were building the brand? What was it and what would you have done differently?
Tardif: I think we were all taken aback by this pandemic. Four years later looking back, I would have approached budgeting and expenditures differently perhaps with online adverts. Social media companies will rob you blind.

Happi:  Many founders have a non-compete when they exit, but we understand you plan to help other indies. Tell us more about this.
Tardif: I would like to be able to continue on the indie brand side of things where the actual work and the brand vision are at the forefront and remain most important. I am interested in contributing and making a difference based on my own experience and indie brands are the most creative and innovative which I find most exciting. I am completely free to choose my next project without constraint.

Happi:  Are you taking time for yourself? What will you be doing to grow personally?
Tardif: I intend to pace myself and take the time to find the right project to invest myself into. I will continue my yoga practice which I find very beneficial personally, read a lot of great books for inspiration, do a lot of sports and try to fully embrace each day and live more in the present. Lastly, surround myself with only the best people that I love.

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