About The Charismatic Chemist
A charming Georgia peach from Grantville
Rachel Johnson has over 8 years of formulation, research and development experience in the contract manufacturing setting. She graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2013. Her career has led her all over the United States where she has gained an in-depth understanding of cosmetic chemistry, product development, and innovation.
Rachel’s main focus is to bring science to the forefront of formulation and creating products that are efficacious and cutting-edge. She has mastered leveraging her creativity with strong research and development skills, and is the brain behind a mass range of top performing products.
Rachel has experienced a lot of adversity along her journey and shares her story in hopes to help and inspire others. She realizes the impact and efforts made today will eventually pave the way for those who will follow her path.
Master Chemist – How Rachel Got Started:
As a senior in the chemistry department at Valdosta, she led a seminar on the synthesis of flavors and fragrances, where she discovered cosmetic chemistry. She learned that the cosmetic industry is where all beauty products are made and became excited and intrigued by cosmetic chemistry. She had no idea that she could become a cosmetic chemist and create products to make others feel and look fabulous but decided this is where she wanted to be.
Rachel did not have much time to switch gears to pursue her new career aspiration. She immediately researched how to gain exposure. She learned that the cosmetic industry is very close knit and based on networking in order to be in the know of open jobs and events.
She networked with other cosmetic chemists, formulators and scientists on various social media platforms to get job recommendations. After sending 200 emails and being rejected in her home state of Georgia, she decided to expand her search nationwide. Four months later, she landed a great position in Idaho where she resided for five years, building professionalism and formulation capabilities.
Pioneer of Beauty Innovation:
Rachel has worked with over 500 beauty brands, including indie, prestige, multi-level marketing, and mass market brands. She has formulated over a thousand different products and has collaboratively launched over a hundred products.
Some of the product types found in major retail include:
- Sephora – Natural lipstick
- ULTA Beauty- SPF Lotion, skin care and color complexion
- Credo – Clean Foundation
- Target – Shimmer Body lotion, lip-gloss, hair care and tinted moisturizer
- Whole Foods – Hair care
- QVC – Probiotic Skincare
Champion of STEM:
Rachel is a STEM Program Advocate. She has worked as a Program Coordinator since 2016 with duties to include giving presentations, and highlighting the implementation and impacts of STEM and maintaining and developing a comprehensive curriculum in STEM education for K-12th grade and college level. Some of her audience includes prospective donors; grant providers and school district board of directors.
As 2020 College of Science and Mathematics Distinguished Alumna of the Year, Rachel was chosen to deliver Valdosta State University’s 230th Commencement Address. It was an honor to offer words of encouragement and wisdom to the graduates and a privilege to inspire a new class of creative, conscious, and caring Blazers ready to meet the needs of a changing global society.
She recently volunteered as a Guest Host for Club Lab Rascals Virtual STEM Chemistry Camp 2021, and hopes to continue making an impact and helping young kids pursue a career in STEM.
Business Of Beauty:
Rachel has a passion for cosmetic science and truly cares about the end consumer. She realized passion and care was missing from the manufacturing sector and decided to venture into entrepreneurship and bring this passion to the cosmetic industry.
After relocating to NY, Rachel decided to offer her formulation capabilities and industry expertise to give insight to her beloved industry and knowledge that did not seem readily available. After 6 years of service to the cosmetic industry, she did not witness diversity within nor with partners in the beauty industry.
Despite the black community contributions to beauty trends and the success of these companies, she expected and desired to see more diversity on the retail shelves, as well as on the business side of things. Her desire for liberation of self-expression, the ability to inspire, spread knowledge, empower and aid in leaving a legacy pushed her forward to bring The Charismatic Chemist to fruition.