Beauty products are often purchased for personal, self-enhancing reasons. Even though the other people in our lives benefit from us concealing our dark circles, sallow skin, or dirty hair, we mostly prettify ourselves because we're vain. We're not really thinking about others when we purchase lipsticks that flatter, foundations that perfect, and mascaras that pretty up our own lashes. For the most part, cosmetic purchases are made for me, myself, and I. But MAKE cosmetics, a new line of socially conscious makeup, takes the selfishness out of beauty buying by sharing 33.3 percent of its sales with the nonprofit organization We See Beauty, which helps get women-led, worker-owned cooperative businesses up and running.
The objective of the foundation is "to drive large scale change," and their first project is devoted to incubating a Brooklyn-based cooperative that will make their own cleaning and personal care products. This all seems like a no-brainer: Women wear makeup, so why not buy makeup that helps other women in our very own nation?
It doesn't hurt that the makeup looks great and is made in the USA by MANA Products (Francois Nars's renowned line started here). Makeup artist Ayami Nishimura (whose work has been in British Vogue, Numero, V Magazine) is the brain behind the extensive 220-piece collection and will collaborate with various artists for limited-edition sets. The first to launch along with the brand's debut earlier this year was made in conjunction with interior and furniture designer Faye Toogood. Inspired by "unexpected landscapes, objects and emotions," the collection includes items like Face Gloss (a translucent gel for grease-slicked lids without the stick), Skin Illuminator (pearlescent highlighters), and an array of lip colors and eye shadows. The site even provides GIF-like tutorials on how to create complete looks using products from Toogood and Nishimura's collaborative effort.
Prices range from $5 to $42 and can really only be found online at the We See Beauty site (you'll also find other items with a design-y, artsy focus for sale as well). However, for those of you in New York, most of the MAKE collection is available at Michael Angelo's Wonderland Beauty Parlor.
Read more posts by Christina Han
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beauty
,under the radar
,make
,we see beauty
,faye toogood