About Us
As cosmetic chemists, we know all too well how confusing the beauty space can be. Between influencer hype and brand marketing, it's almost impossible to know what's true and what's not. Many consumers want to follow the science, but science can be confusing and sometimes... well, boring.
At Beauty by the Beaker, we believe in helping consumers learn the truth about beauty products in a fun, engaging way, through interesting topics and funny conversations. Whether you're a cosmetic professional, or simply a consumer trying to understand the beauty space, we promise you'll learn something from our podcast - and we're pretty confident you'll have a lot of fun while doing it!
Our Story
Our story starts in 2022, when Sadie got a full time job at the same cosmetics company as Natalie. We quickly developed a friendship and started talking about our favorite beauty topics together. Through our chats, which usually felt more like gossip sessions, we realized how much fun we had talking about the cosmetic world, and how many things we wish consumers knew. So, naturally, we decided we should start a podcast. It took three years and a lot of work, but we finally launched Beauty by the Beaker in September of 2025!
Meet the Hosts
Host
Natalie
My name is Natalie. I’ve always felt caught between worlds, never fully fitting in. I always wanted to be creative, but I was naturally good at math and science. Creativity felt vulnerable, while perusing science felt safe and straightforward.
I envied people who seemed to have direction, passion, or clear talent. I often felt like too much and not enough, all at once.
I started college as a pre-med student, but the thought of working in a doctor’s office made me panic. During a meeting with my advisor, I said, “I want to drop out and go to hair school, but I’m good at science and I find it interesting.” He replied, “Why not cosmetic chemistry?” I’d never heard of it, but it clicked. I switched to biochemistry and never looked back.
Even before I fully understood the field, I started telling people I was going into cosmetic chemistry. That confidence led me to the right connections, a student membership with the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, and eventually, a job in the industry right after graduation.
In early 2024, I was diagnosed with ADHD - something that, in hindsight, explains so much. What I once saw as personal flaws, I now understand as strengths that simply needed the right context.
If there’s one message I want to share, it’s this: the best version of you is the most authentic one, whether it’s about your brain or your beauty products.
Host
Sadie
Hi, I’m Sadie! I'm a cosmetic chemist, small business owner, and podcast host with a lifelong love for skincare, haircare, and science. I always knew I was passionate about beauty and chemistry, but for a long time, I didn’t realize the two could go hand in hand. That changed in 2020; I was in college getting my degree in Chemistry and I landed an internship as a Microscopic Hair Analyst at a now-closed company. That role opened my eyes to the world of cosmetic science, and I was hooked. I enrolled in a cosmetic formulations class soon after and never looked back.
I earned my B.S. in Chemistry in 2022 and began formulating skincare, haircare, and personal care products at a contract manufacturing company. Since then, I've learned a lot and many of my formulas have ended up on store shelves.
In 2023, I launched Strandprint, a microscopic hair analysis service that helps people understand their hair type, porosity, and the products that actually work for them. Whether I’m behind a mixer, microscope or podcast mic, my goal is always to make science not only accessible, but fun. I know that science can feel intimidating, and because of that, most people turn to catchy but often inaccurate beauty advice. I love helping people realize that science doesn’t have to be boring or confusing; in fact, it can actually be exciting, empowering, and tons of fun to learn when it’s explained well.
Outside of work, I spend my (limited) time with my husband and our dog Gimli, binge reality TV shows, read dystopian and romantasy novels, and travel every chance I get.
Inside the Science Salon
Come join us in the Science Salon, our cozy podcast studio where science meets the spirit of a 1950s beauty parlor. Back then, salons were more than just places to get your hair done - they were gathering spots where women swapped stories, shared secrets, and connected under hair dryers. In the Science Salon, we've taken that same vibe and given it a unique scientific twist.
In our salon, we're here to chat about the science of cosmetics like it's the latest neighborhood gossip; we keep it fun, honest, and unfiltered. Whether it’s the chemistry behind your favorite moisturizer or the myths hiding in your TikTok feed, we’re inviting you in to laugh, learn, and hang out with us while we gossip about science. Pull up a chair, babe - your appointment’s about to start.