Category / Beauty

by mvfour

OSEA Skincare Not Only Helped Pioneer the Clean Beauty Movement with Legislation, But the Founder and CEO Also Created a Blueprint for Sustainability Practices

The clean beauty brand has been walking the walk and talking the talk in ethically sourced skincare ingredients since 1996, with the mother-daughter family enterprise building a successful business model steeped in transparency from day one, disrupting industry standards.

From L to R: Melissa (CEO) and Jenefer (Founder) Palmer;
Photo: Courtesy of OSEA.

OSEA — Ocean Sea Earth Atmosphere — the acronym for the beloved eco-conscious Malibu, California-based brand referencing the environment’s elements, rooted in the family’s belief in the healing powers of nature, where the founder’s grandmother, Elsa, retreated to the sea to treat pain and inspire others to incorporate the ocean’s beneficial resources into their lifestyle.

As a beauty writer and clean skincare aficionado, I’ve tried more brands than I can remember. Some memorable. Others forgettable. Each touting the promise of renewal and restoration. And a healthy-looking complexion. These products often come in attractive packaging or biodegradable containers to minimize their environmental impact. Still, many have fallen short in terms of consistency or messaging in one way or another. The OSEA brand distinguishes itself from the clean beauty pack in terms of authenticity and delivering proven results. I’m living proof.

After three months of using their face and body products, my eczema flare-ups on my face, neck, and chest have subsided by 96%, leaving my skin with a renewed glow that is foreign to me. Sure, I’ve had a few chlorine-induced patches surface, here and there, after prolonged swimming and excessive sweating, but nothing that hasn’t been contained, especially by OSEA’s Hyaluronic Sea Serum and Undaria Algae™ Body Oil (a best-selling cult favorite). It’s as if Poseidon, the Greek God of the Sea, personally blessed these products.

Hyaluronic Sea Serum retails for $88. Photo: Courtesy of OSEA.

I recently spoke with Jenefer Palmer (founder/mother) and Melissa Palmer (CEO and daughter) to learn about OSEA’s enduring impact in a saturated clean beauty market and why my skin was drawn to these products like a magnetic force.

The OSEA brand has been a mainstay, breaking ground in the clean beauty industry by advocating for product transparency laws and regulations, and urging other companies to follow suit for decades before it became fashionable. What were some challenges OSEA faced when it was first launched?

“At the time, brands were largely free to use any ingredients in their products, leaving consumers with little visibility into potentially harmful components. OSEA chose a different path — one that surprised many in the industry — by prioritizing transparency and formulating only with clean, safe ingredients, and using glass bottles instead of plastic ones. Since the term ‘clean beauty’ didn’t exist yet, it was challenging to gain traction with retailers who didn’t initially understand the concept. We like to say we were green when it was just a color.”

Big corporations like Sephora didn’t embrace clean beauty brands until 2018, when they carried 50 at the time; now, they boast over 133 brands. The lack of ingredient transparency, combined with consumer awareness and education about safe products and a previously unregulated industry, has led to confusion and misleading product labels.

According to Jenefer and Melissa Palmer:

“In 2002, we became the first company to sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. A landmark initiative to promote safety and transparency in the beauty industry. To this day, we continue to advocate for ingredient safety and lobby for legislation that ensures access to safe skincare for all.”

The mother-daughter duo innovated their signature seaweed-infused ingredients and continues to experiment with clean ingredients, developing their taglines, “Skincare from the Sea®” and “Sea the Difference®.” They plan to expand into product categories and bring even more innovation to future launches.

“Our goal is to be intentional with everything we create — going beyond traditional skincare to meet the evolving needs of our community. One recent inspiration has been the concept of “skinification” in bodycare: the idea that your body deserves the same level of care and powerful ingredients as your face. This led to the launch of our Hyaluronic Body Serum, designed to deliver advanced hydration and treatment-level results for the skin below the neck.”

Besides OSEA’s signature proprietary seaweed-infused ingredients, is there another element you want to add or experiment with in the skincare line that’s just as effective?

“In addition to seaweed, we’re excited to explore nutrient-rich marine botanicals, as well as continue tapping into the diverse benefits of various seaweed species. Our Hyaluronic Sea Serum, which your skin responded well to, for example, features powerful hydrators like snow mushroom and hyaluronic acid — ingredients we’re eager to work with more in the future. We’re also increasingly interested in developing wellness-centered products that support the nervous system and promote relaxation, drawing a deeper connection between skin health, mindfulness, and overall well-being.”

After nearly thirty years in the clean beauty industry, what are you looking forward to, or what would you like to change?

“We look forward to expanding strategic collaborations, increasing accessibility through wholesale partnerships, and deepening OSEA’s impact in ingredients and environmental advocacy — all while preserving the company’s core value. Of course, we’re looking forward to the brand’s 30th birthday as well. It’s so gratifying to see that more brands and people are riding the clean beauty wave with us.”

And the clean beauty wave continues to surge and gain momentum. By 2033, the clean beauty market is projected to reach 39 billion, a 16.65% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), according to Yahoo! Finance. Although consumers now prefer brand transparency, greenwashing and misleading marketing claims persist, reinforcing the need for additional laws to be enacted and for enhanced consumer protections to be established.

Ocean Wave Cleanser retails for $38. Photo: Courtesy of OSEA.

Every product I’ve tried from OSEA has been transformational for my skin. If you have sensitive skin like me and are in the market for a cleanser and makeup remover combo, try their newest product, Ocean Wave Cleanser. It’s made up of Undaria Seaweed, Camelina Seed Oil, and Bisabolol, ingredients rich in amino acids, Omega 3, to name a few. My skin felt unbelievably soft and hydrated. And the texture of the cleanser, although oil-based, is light and doesn’t leave any residue on the hands. One of the best cleansers I’ve tried! To learn more about or shop, visit OSEA products online or in store at Ulta Beauty.

Follow me for more beauty news and tips.

by mvfour

Pure Culture Beauty Solves Your Hand Sanitizer Woes

This past year has exposed us all to an array of hand sanitizing products that we’ve, to remain healthy and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, indiscriminately sampled without a second thought. And most brands remained unmemorable, especially in their effort to tackle excessive leakage, dry skin, and the pungent smell of alcohol or other abrasive ingredients in their products. There’s one hand sanitizer that has risen above the rest.

Photo: Courtesy of Pure Culture Beauty

Hand Sanitizing Never Felt So Good!

With just one pump, the soothing Visolis hand sanitizer leaves you feeling protected against germs while lathering your skin with the aroma of eucalyptus.

WHAT’S IN IT?

Key Ingredients:

  1. Mevalonolactone – Plant-based ingredient clinically proven to hydrate skin and improve moisture barrier.

2. Sunflower Oil – Helps hydrate skin and enhance smoothness.

3. 70% Ethyl Alcohol – kills 99% of germs.

Photo: Courtesy of Pure Culture Beauty

My verdict: Give this luxe hand sanitizer gel, that feels like a lotion, a try. It comes in a 3.4 Fl oz recyclable glass bottle. Add it to your health defense arsenal in your home or while out-and-about. No need to wipe after applying. It retails for $20. For more product information, click here.

by mvfour

Pure Culture Beauty Partners With Ash Wagner To Jumpstart Your Self-Care Goals

Courtesy of Pure Culture Beauty

If you were inclined to enter any of the flurry of social media contests advocating for your well-being, the Pure Culture Beauty collab with Ash Wagner is the top contender. Wagner, a two-time Olympic-medal winning American figure skater , Peloton devotee, and Instagram-influencer exudes health and fitness. She does it in a casual, fun lifestyle kind of way versus a “Hey, don’t you wish you were me?” vibe. And after integrating Pure Culture Beauty into my daily routine, I’m sold. Hardly an easy admission for me.

Courtesy of Ash Wagner’s Instagram

As someone who has suffered from eczema, late in life, my days of sampling any ole product that smells nice and has the the right flashy and cute packaging are long gone. I began using the customized skincare set and as a skeptical consumer, especially having worked in women’s editorial for some time, I was surprised at how my skin responded after 2 months. The chronic red patches around my face and neck began appearing less and less. My sensitivity to the customized serum and moisturizing cream diminished drastically. So how does it work?

First: you participate in an at-home skincare test (FREE) measuring your skin condition (microbiome markers), lifestyle, and environment privy to you on Pure Culture Beauty’s site. Second: based on your transparency (you have to be honest!) they customize a skincare routine, consisting of a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer unique to your needs. Try it out! Science-based skincare is the future. And, totally worthy it.

Now, back to the contest! Here are the ways to enter:
1) Follow both: @pureculturebeauty and @ashwagner2010 on Instagram.
2) Sign up for Pure Culture Beauty’s newsletter.
3) Tag 3 friends on Instagram!

Good Luck Everyone! Contest runs through January 22, 2021 11:59 PT.

by mvfour

Teen Titan Kylie Jenner’s New York Pop-up is Cosmetics Gold: Beauty Brands Take Note

fullsizerenderIt’s the fifth day of Kylie Jenner’s New York’s pop-up store being open and there are no signs of her customer/fan base waning down- to get their hands on the coveted beauty products. I was there to check out the scene at the pop-up’s Soho location on Mercer Street. I arrived around 11am to find a line-up of about 80 enthusiastic customers braving the cold temperatures, patiently waiting, while barricaded along the street until they were let inside.

While on line, I decided to get into the minds of these beauty die-hards and ask them a series of questions: Do you love Kylie Jenner and would buy anything she promoted? Or do you love the quality of her cosmetics? What brings you here, really? As I surveyed the crowd to look for my participants, I had a preconceived notion that I would encounter pre-pubescent and teenaged girls. Boy, was I was wrong! There were fans ready to plunk down their cash – in their teens, early and late twenties, and early forties. I couldn’t believe Kylie Jenner’s demographic had such mass appeal and such a big age range. As I questioned more people, I found that they knew their beauty brands. Tarte, Anastasia, Too Faced are some of their favorites, but the majority of respondents said they preferred the quality of Kylie Jenner’s products. “I really like how long-lasting the lip kits are,” said one girl in her twenties. Others said they love the packaging and have been following Kylie on Instagram before her makeup line launched.

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After about an hour, I was let in. Yes! I was given a wristband and asked to enter my name and email by staffers for a quick checkout. Very efficient! I thought. Unlike New York City fashion sample sales I’ve attend in the past, this crew had it together, and want customers in and out.

Once inside, you realize the store isn’t very big. There was a “pseudo-recreation” of a bed by the back wall with a brown furry throw on it and large screens with seductive video images of Kylie staring at you. Fans of current and previous collections will be delighted to see most sold-out products available for purchase: The Birthday, Holiday and Valentine’s collections are hanging on different walls. Sprinkled throughout the store, you’ll find Arthur George socks with Kylie’s logo, phone cases, patches, hoodies and other clothing from the https://kyliejennershop.com.

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Jenner, who introduced her glosses in 2015, officially launched her global cosmetics line in 2016 and hasn’t stopped churning out, instant sell-out products – readily sought by fans – ever since. While Kylie Jenner has faced some obstacles along the way; comparisons of ColourPop Cosmetics’ significantly cheaper line; both makeup lines are produced by the Seed Beauty Factory; she’s determined to distinguish her line from others. Well-known bloggers/vloggers slammed Jenner on this detail, yet fans still show their unwavering support with their credit card purchases. The New York pop-up will be open until supplies run out.

In short, Kylie Jenner’s influence on the beauty industry has been solidified. Over 10 million in sales to date with her cosmetics line has the heavy-hitters in makeup paying attention and eager to mirror her success. Jenner’s success is a combination of cult followers and Jenner’s role as brand ambassador keeping her ahead of the beauty game.

 

by mvfour

Skyline Dairy Goat’s Milk & Shea Butter Hydrating Body Lotion Soothes My Skin’s Winter Woes

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My skin has a personality of its own. Sometimes its like a sweet well-behaved child that follows your every command, but mostly, it’s a rebellious teen that answers back, contradicts everything you say and gives you grief all day long! I have combination skin and it can be very unruly and sensitive if I don’t tend to it daily. It flakes, gets patchy and can be tender to the touch in the winter and summer. A friend recommended I try  Skyline Dairy Goat’s Milk & Shea Butter Moisturizer because I’m a lover of everything made out of goat’s milk and I’m drawn to products with natural ingredients.

Two weeks in, and I’m impressed with this moisturizer. The first few days, I interpreted my skin’s reaction to a Shakespearean response: “To be or not to be irritated? That is the question my skin ponders, immediately, upon encountering a new product. On the third day of using this cream, my skin welcomed this new product with open arms. “Yes, I will let you quench my thirst for moisture both day and night. You needn’t fuss over me, just yet!”I was thrilled that I didn’t have to alternate between a day and night cream. I can apply Skyline Dairy Goat’s Milk & Shea Butter  moisturizer in the morning and in the evening before going to bed and not wake up with a greasy mess on my face or pillow.

The scent is nice and light. It reminds my boyfriend of lemon-flavored lollipops when he smells it on me. He started using it too – to battle the harsh daily NYC winter weather. The moisturizer I have is fragranced with Lemongrass & Vanilla and consists of 40% raw goat’s milk, 5% shea butter and 80% mountain well water. I recommend it highly! What’s interesting is that I didn’t know that it is advertised as a body lotion, because of the sample I received, had I known that, I would have never tried it on my face. I’m glad I did! I confirmed with the founder, Chase Hudson, that it is indeed a hydrating body lotion; yet many of his customers use it as a face cream with great results. I agree! Don’t waste this gem on your body, let your face reap the benefits. To buy this product that retails for $20, Click here:

 

by mvfour

The Uplifting Powers of Makeup

Being alone opens up the mind’s floodgates to thoughts; some good, some bad and usually persistent and recurring – depending on your current situation. Whenever I’m at a loss for motivation during my mornings as a freelancer or lack there of freelancing, I look through my heaps of makeup I’ve hoarded throughout the last 11 years working for magazines.

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Without a single method or inkling of how to apply anything, I reach for concealers, lipsticks, bronzers that may or may not be expired. Whatever! To your makeup no-nos! Elle, Allure and Harper’s Bazaar….I’m not throwing out anything! I’ve always taken pride in my hoarding techniques. I have so much conditioner for straight-haired blondes, I could really start a salon. Yup! I’ve been guilty of grabbing products completly useless to me when they were 25 cents or free – just because!

Whenever I’m in a sad state, which has been often, lately. I take to the bin filled with lip liners and glosses and lipsticks – pick a color of the day and this somehow makes me feel better. Eventhough I’m in my pajamas and plan to remain that way for the duration of the day, I’d like to know that at least my lips are dressed. They care! They want to make an impression.  As I’m writing this, I have a pimple the size of Nebraska, smack dab on the middle of my nose. It’s so precisely circumferenced that Nasa or Amazon’s drones can locate its exact coordinates. But, hey! I applied lipstick, regardless. This foreign body taking up residence on my human beak is not going to win. I recommend you heed my advice.

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Life’s obstacles got you down? Apply some makeup. It will instantly lift your spirits when everything and everyone seems to be projecting negativity. Next up: mastering old foundation that won’t give me a rash and, hopefully, evens out my complexion.

 

by mvfour

The Etiquette of Hairstyling with Carrie Butterworth

At the so close! But-not-quite a teen age of 12, Carrie Butterworth had the career epiphany most us of lack – until a later age or never acquire – of wanting to become a hairstylist. While many of us were pining over the latest music sensation, saving up for the new “it” fashion item or experimenting with a hair color ready to make our parents disown us, she had a clear vision of her chosen profession. This enlightened artist, blessed with hands to create beautiful, life-changing looks sat down with me to discuss her career as a professional hairstylist in editorial, advertising and as part of a celebrity glam squad.

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DSMC: How long have you been a hairstylist?

CB: I did a lot of interning at salons in New Jersey, but really got a feel for the profession assisting stylists in NYC since 1997.

DSMC: You knew from a young age you wanted to be a hairstylist. Can you describe that experience to us?

CB: I’ve always lived in the suburbs of New Jersey. There wasn’t much experimentation with hairstyles in my neighborhood and people didn’t have any trend-setting dos. My mom took me to a salon in Ridgewood called New Wave and I was so impressed with the haircuts people were getting. It was 1988 and these individuals had these awesome Mohawks and jagged-styled hair. They looked so artistic. The hairstylist was wearing these fierce leopard pants. It was so cool. I knew this was what I wanted to do.

DSMC: When did you get your big break?

CB: I started working with Patrick Melville at his salon in Manhattan. He is well known in the business and I assisted him on these fantastic editorial shoots and campaigns for Saks, Calvin Klein and Bill Blass. We did some work for MTV and backstage at the New York fashion shows. It was nerve-wracking, but exhilarating at the same time. Having these opportunities and being able to handle them really shows what you’re made of – they can make or break you.

DSMC: Who are some of the hairstyling greats you admire?

CB: I really like Oribe and Guido’s work. Stylists who do lush, gorgeous artistic hair.

DSMC: What are some career highlights you’ve experienced?

CB: Touring with celebrities and being their go-to stylist, meeting incredibly talented people who love what they do and being inspired by them.

DSMC: What do you abhor about the business?

CB: I came from the tail end of learning skills – a professional hairdresser is required to know from the old school regime. It’s important to have mentors and absorb as much as you can from them. A lot of my clients do come from word-of-mouth, and from other colleagues in the industry. A few years ago I thought about having an agent represent me. They wanted 20% right-of-the-bat and expected me to bring my own clients. It’s one thing to get hired by new clients the agency exposed me to, and they take 20%, but not take a percentage from clients I’ve built long-lasting relationships with, on my own. It’s unfair and a shady business practice. I also worked with PR firms that have no clue who some of the top hairstylists are. These are people who are supposedly experts in hair care and selling products for brands – their representatives!

DSMC: What is the biggest misconception you find people have about hairstyling?

CB: You don’t have to disfigure yourself with a crazy haircut to turn heads and be shocking. A new look that suits you will do the trick. It’s important to trust the hair professional. Make sure you research the person. Look at past work they’ve done. See if their work falls in line with the style you’re going for and let them do their job. It’s a legitimate profession. Would tell your dentist how to do their job?

DSMC: What advice would you give aspiring hairstylists?

CB: Nothing comes easy. Tenacity and perseverance is crucial in this business. Keep learning. Improve what you do and constantly see what’s new and stay up-to-date in the profession.

*If you would like to book an appointment to up your fabulosity, or are in search of a hairstylist for your next campaign, please go to: http://www.carriebutterworth.com. Follow her on Instagram @hair_by_carrie_butterworth and Roy Teeluck Salon: http://royteeluck.com

 

by mvfour

Yes…this happened.

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I don’t even wear enough make up to merit the $200 price tag the Kylie Jenner Birthday Bundle costs. Why entertain this? Because it’s exclusive and we’ve been conditioned to seek out and covet what’s unattainable. Or it could be that I’m a Leo and it’s special to those born on this Zodiac sign. I have no clue which one of these reasons is clouding my better judgment; what I do know is that I found myself gearing up for the KY-tastic sale last Wednesday at 6pm  EST. With three devices in hand, I was ready to spend my hard-earned freelance money on KYshadow, poppin’ gloss, the exclusive Leo lip kits and the Kylie makeup bag. Alas, I could not get my hands on these beauty products. I spent 27 minutes refreshing like nobody’s business with zero results. A half hour not well spent. I get it. I was under the Kardashian-Jenner juggernaut spell. It’s mindboggling to think that this teen – just alone with the birthday bundle @ $200 each – sold over 200K units in less than half an hour. Kudos to you, babe!

Refinery29 recently wrote an article – complete with Kylie Jenner illustrations – on her “Queen of Instagram” status. All of her Selfie poses are deliberate, the fashion/beauty pop-culture website claims. Not just some run-of-the-mill: “Hey, look at me. I’m snappin’ a pic of myself.” Ultimately it’s to sell a brand. And, love her or hate her, she does it well with a huge following!

http://www.refinery29.com/2016/08/117975/kylie-jenner-hand-gestures#slide

I had to experience this frenzy for myself, being a pop-culture junkie. What’s the tally now between the Kardashian-Jenners’ fortunes? One billion? For me, the thrill of the chase was reminiscent of my childhood – back in the 80s, before social media and massive swarms of people crashing sites. When I was 8 years old, my mom fought the good fight to get me the latest Cabbage Patch Kids. As a child I don’t recall people fighting, it was more like rude shoving, nobody was getting mauled or trampled in stores and malls, yet. My mother had created a distraction at the Toys-R-Us to get her hands on one of the last twin Cabbage Patch preemies for me. She had a water balloon in her purse – thanks to the kids she babysat. With one swift toss of the water balloon, she distracted parents to get the last set of twins.

Today, it’s a combination of star power with enough influence to sell products and the speed of your Internet service to get your “exclusive in-demand product” checked out!