On this TDC Q&A feature, we chat with Daniel and Judith, the founders of Talomi—makeup made safe, fun, and age-appropriate for tweens. They share how they’re helping girls explore self-expression and confidence with products kids love and parents trust.

1. Tell us a bit about yourselves!

Daniel and I are both originally from Venezuela, but we actually met in San Diego, California. At the time, I was living in Australia, and after we met, we got engaged just six months later and married a year after. You could say we don’t waste time when we know what we want — that’s what brought me to the U.S.

A few months after settling here, we decided to start a business together (because apparently, getting married wasn’t adventurous enough!). We wanted to learn how to sell on Amazon, so we launched our first company as a learning experiment. We started small — buying discounted products in bulk and reselling them on Amazon — just to understand how the platform worked.

Once we got the hang of it, we took things to the next level. We began traveling to trade shows, meeting brand owners across different categories, and forming wholesale partnerships. The business grew quickly — we became authorized third-party sellers for several brands, all while still working full-time in corporate America.

Through that experience, especially while working with beauty and fashion brands, we noticed a recurring issue: children’s makeup products often had poor reviews because of low-quality ingredients. That insight sparked the idea for Talomi — a brand that would finally offer safe, high-quality makeup made just for young girls.

Today, we live in California with our one-year-old daughter, who gives us even more purpose and inspiration to keep growing Talomi.

The idea for Talomi started when I noticed how frustrated moms were with the makeup options available for little girls on Amazon. Most products were either toy makeup — low quality and unsafe for young skin — or adult cosmetics, which weren’t age-appropriate. There was nothing truly made for girls ages 7 to 12 — that in-between stage where they’ve outgrown toy makeup but aren’t quite ready for adult products. That’s where I saw an opportunity to create something safe, high-quality, and made just for them.

At the same time, I started learning more about what girls go through at that age — their curiosity, insecurities, and growing sense of identity. I was reminded how complex those years can be. Puberty begins, confidence wavers, and we (girls!) start asking big questions about who we are and where we fit in. I felt a deep compassion for moms, for my younger self, and for all the girls navigating that stage.

I also realized that very few brands were truly speaking to them — supporting them, uplifting them, or helping them feel seen. Most focused on perfection, or worse, sent messages that made girls feel like they needed to grow up faster.

With Talomi, we wanted to do things differently — to create a brand that celebrates girls for who they are today, and helps the next generation grow up confident, creative, and proud of who they’re becoming.

3. How did your backgrounds influence the creation of a tween-friendly makeup brand?

At its core, Talomi is about self-expression. For me, makeup has always been one of the most joyful forms of it. I still remember when my mum back in Venezuela would put makeup on me for school performances or dance recitals — I loved it so much. That early connection made me see makeup as something fun, creative, and empowering rather than superficial.

Being Latina, I’ve always valued self-care and beauty as part of our culture — it’s how we celebrate ourselves and our identity. But migrating to a new country taught me another important side of self-expression: the courage to be yourself and speak up, even when it feels uncomfortable or different.

4. What makes Talomi different from other beauty brands aimed at young people?

What makes Talomi different is that we embrace creativity over perfection and expression over pressure. We’re not a brand that pushes unrealistic beauty ideals or tries to tell girls how they “should” look. Instead, we celebrate being real — because perfection isn’t our goal. We believe beauty is about the journey, with all its ups and downs.

We also want to remind girls that there’s no need to rush to grow up. Your pre-teen years are a beautiful stage of life that deserves to be celebrated. With social media, girls are often exposed to brands and messages that aren’t made for them, which can create pressure to act or look older.

Talomi was created to be the opposite of that — a brand that helps girls feel comfortable and confident right where they are

5. Where do you see the brand in a few years?

We’ll continue to grow our line with more tools that help girls protect and nurture their self-esteem. My hope is that Talomi becomes part of that meaningful bond between mums and daughters.

6. What’s one tip for parents helping their kids explore makeup safely and confidently?

I’d say start by turning it into a learning experience together. Kids today have access to so much information — so encourage them to research the brands they’re interested in. Look into whether the products are age-appropriate, check the ingredients, and talk through the pros and cons together. That way, exploring makeup and beauty products becomes something you both enjoy — a shared journey where you’re guiding them, but they also feel empowered to make informed choices.

7. How do you hope Talomi impacts tweens’ confidence and self-expression?

If putting on the Vita Stick makes a girl smile, feel brave and proud, then we’re making an impact.

8. Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?