10 Mar Ask the Expert and GIVEAWAY: Founder Alison Raffaele talks about her Cosmetics Line
Naturally inspired, yet EFFECTIVE cosmetics are really as hard to find as the Pink Panther diamond. Trust me, I know — having ransacked countless drugstore and high-end department stores in the hope of finding concealers and foundations made with mostly natural ingredients and ending up leaving as disappointed as a kid who didn’t see Mickey Mouse at Disney World.
There is a ton of BODYCARE that is organic and natural and most of those products are very effective, but we’re talking about the foundation of your beauty: the foundations, brushes, concealers, primers.
Ever since I got my hands on a perfectly movie-star worthy concealer from Alison Raffaele Cosmetics at The Makeup Show New York, I’ve been hooked to the brand like cat to catnip.
Check out our Q&A with the founder, Alison Raffaele, below:
What is the primary difference between organic and green makeup? As I understand it, organic has to be 100%, while green makeup can have synthetic ingredients in them as well?
AR: Precisely. “Green” makeup is more about not containing harmful chemicals, like parabens, talc, mineral oil, synthetic fragrances, aluminum, etc., whereas “Organic” makeup must be made with only certified organic ingredients. It is very difficult to create makeup that is “organic” that still performs, however, many “Green” brands are beginning to use organic ingredients whenever possible.
Are you planning an organic line soon? Why or why not?
I am looking to use organic ingredients in my formulas, but not to go 100% organic. One thing people must remember is that just because an ingredient is “organic” or “natural” doesn’t mean that it is good for you. In fact many naturally occurring substances – take lead for example – can be very harmful to one’s health. The guideline I generally follow is for an ingredient not to be ranked more than a 3 or a 4 on the Enviormental Working Group’s “Skin Deep” database.
Tell us a bit about why you created your line. Was there a niche or need you wanted to fulfill?
Alison Raffaele
I am proud to say that Alison Raffaele Cosmetics was the first makeup artist developed line to go “Green”. The need I saw that wasn’t being addressed was profession quality makeup that was free of harmful chemicals. As a result, we have a great following among makeup artists!
Any new products on the horizon?
Right now I am working on a propylene-glycol free version of my Inner Glow gel blush and a Pressed Mineral Powder – I’m hoping to launch them in the summer or early fall.
Thank you Alison! Now, it’s your turn. ASK Alison anything and enter your comments below. You’ll be entered to win some great cosmetics from her line. FIVE WINNERS will be picked in two weeks.
Just do it and be pretty.
Ali
Posted at 15:52h, 10 MarchI have just started becoming interested in the ingredients in my hair care and cosmetic products. I am glad that there are companies like Alison’s that are giving consumers more options. The acne response primer sounds promising. I have had problems with primers contributing to breakouts.
Tina
Posted at 15:57h, 10 MarchWhat makes your True Concealer so much better than the other concealers out there?
Stephanie Grant
Posted at 20:22h, 10 MarchI have a problem with foundation causing my face to look oily does your products contain any oil reduction properties or help it not look so oily?
Leslie
Posted at 07:38h, 11 MarchThanks for mentioning the Environmental Working Group database. I recently discovered it and found it helpful (and a little bit scary!). However, I am interested in your thoughts on universal certifications, or FDA regulation of cosmetic/beauty ingredients. Do you believe this should be something that is required? As a consumer, I am not able to take the time to look up all the different “green” or “eco” logos that are listed on each company’s website. Having a more universal regulating org would be nice. Your thoughts?
Alison
Posted at 13:18h, 11 MarchHi Ladies!
Thanks for your questions. I’ll start with Ali’s. If primers have seem to make you break out in the past, I agree that the Acne Response primer may be a good choice for you because the acne fighting peptides in the formula kill the acne bacteria within the skin, both healing existing breakouts and preventing new ones.
Tina, the trick to True Concealer is in its consistency. Many fully coverage concealers don’t blend, so the effect is literally like putting a band-aid on the problem area – yes, it’s covered, but it is obvious you are coversing something. Other concealers blend, but don’t fully cover – so what’s the point if the problem is still visible? True Concelaer fully covers problem areas and then blends out into the surrounding skin (tap, don’t rub!) and it comes in 7 shades so you are bound to find a near perfect match to your skin tone. I should also add that True Concealer is safe to use both under the eyes and on blemishes (it won’t contribute to breakouts).
Alison 🙂