Getting To Know Meg Pryde from Brandefy

I am so excited to be getting to know Meg Pryde from Brandefy today. I’ve shared about Brandefy before but it’s my secret weapon for all things beauty. Brandefy is an amazing app for finding drugstore dupes for high-end beauty products. They house dupes for everything including mascara, sunscreen, hair products, and more.

Meg is friends with one of my best friends and that’s how I found out about Brandefy. Meg is the founder of Brandefy which launched in 2017. I love a good drugstore girl so I am excited to learn more about Meg and Brandefy!

Getting To Know Meg Pryde from Brandefy

Tell us a little about yourself!

I’ve loved beauty products from a very young age. My grandmother owned a dress shop and I would always pour over the high-end fashion magazines in her house, and sneak into her bathroom to play with her clinique. In college, I had to try to find foundation on a budget that would cover acne. I played sports in college (specifically polo which involves a lot of gear including a helmet, and my cover-up would never stay on!). After college, I ended up working a few years in Marketing & Manufacturing and going back to school to get my MBA.

What was the inspiration behind Brandefy?

I worked in Marketing & Manufacturing and was appalled to learn how often consumers were being deceived. I wanted to create a product that would bring transparency to the beauty industry and allow consumers to understand what they are actually paying for and putting on their bodies.

Can you explain a little bit about how the dupes are discovered on the app?

Consumers send us products that they think are identical or very similar. We then compare ingredient panels and check the toxicity databases to see how the products compare, as well as add stats like whether or not the products are cruelty-free. I was shocked to learn that the Elf poreless putty primer ($8) is actually less toxic than the $52 Tatcha, which is marketed as a clean brand. The only way consumers can tell these products apart is through smell.

What does a normal day look like for you?

There is no such thing as a normal day as I am sure you know, but it always starts with coffee and my skincare routine. I typically have between 3-6 meetings in any given day, and I use the time in between to help move my projects forward. Personally, I spend time with my dog and my husband, in that order.

Startups are difficult because it can feel like you are always on, how do you balance work life and your personal life?

The whole team really struggles with this but supports each other in our efforts. I try to have times when I turn off all notifications and don’t check my emails. I have never set an away message though. One day I will do that and its going to feel so weird

You can only wear one product for the day, what do you reach for?

SUNSCREEN, always, I put it on sometimes before I shower if I have to go outside for 5 minutes. I would choose a newbie I just tried – its the Versed Sunscreen which is clean and sustainable! Major props to them.

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Go for it. If there is anything that has been made clear by this pandemic and the 40+ million people that have filed for unemployment, Entrepreneurship really isn’t as “risky” as everyone makes it seem. Yes, it is really, really hard, but at least you are in control of your destiny.

Get feedback as early and as often as possible. It may seem risky to share your ideas early but that is how you build something valuable. Don’t worry about someone stealing your idea – it’s all about execution and feedback is more valuable.

Don’t be afraid to make a fool out of yourself or make mistakes. That is literally what entrepreneurship is. It is a constant battering and you need a resilient personality with a sense of humor 🙂

Have you been trying new beauty products during quarantine? If so, what’s worked and what hasn’t?

YES- You should see my bathroom countertop. I have tried two new ELF undereye patches as the Pixi ones were sold out for a while and have been going BISERK on the sunscreen front. I have pronounced hyperpigmentation from the sun. I also brought a ton of products home from the office so it is basically like Sephora and Target beauty aisles in my living room and bathroom.

What’s currently in your makeup bag?

I’m working on going clean and focused on finding affordable clean alternatives. Brands that I am crushing on right now are Versed, Acure, and Tower 28. I have the most insane collection of SPFs. My quarantine routine is simpler – On a daily basis I use NYX on my brows, Lune & aster under eye brightener, and whichever of the 6 mascaras I have nearby.

The tech startup world is filled with men, how have you made a way for yourself in this predominantly male industry?

Great question! It’s pretty amazing especially because a few of our competitors are better-funded startups founded by tech bros, that may not know a lot about beauty. Let’s just say they haven’t spent their teenage years pouring over how to get their foundation to cover their acne, BUT they do know how to code.’

So it’s been a challenge but a fun one. Our advantage is sharing our story and speaking the language of beauty alongside our users, as well as having the most amazing team. Founding this company wouldn’t have been possible without having strong female partners to found it with, and finding the right tech team that cares as much as we do.

What’s next for Brandefy?

We are launching new business ventures within Brandefy that we are super excited about. One of them is a subscription beauty box where we’ve curated the best products and send them directly to your door.  We’re also focused on making the app more user friendly, engaging, and community-based.

And of course, working on the Android!

QuickFire:

Concealer or Mascara? Ahh! Mascara
Ulta or Sephora? Surprisingly, Sephora (then Target)
TikTok or Instagram? Insta
Makeup brush or beauty sponge? Sponge!
Favorite beauty YouTuber? Kathleen Jennings Beauty

 

How fun is Meg?! A total girl boss that is making waves in the startup world. Seriously, y’all though I can’t recommend the Brandefy app enough! Download it here now – you won’t regret it!! You might even see a familiar face pop up! 😉