GET THE FACTS | LOW BEAUTY

The world of makeup artistry is ever changing from following trends, making new ones and seeing what exists within the cosmetic and skincare industries. We had a chance to chat with Karim Orange on celebs that she has worked on, her about new line that she has collaborated with via Vapour Organic Beauty, being a Low Beauty Makeup Artist and what that means in a world where we are navigating green, non-animal tested products, sustainable as well as other products.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about your background and how you became a Makeup Artist.

KARIM ORANGE:I have been a professional make up artist for over 25 years. When I was younger I always loved the beautiful girls in the magazines with makeup on. They always looked so happy. I started as an assistant to another celebrity makeup artist. We worked on over 100 videos a year in the early 90s. My big break was touring with Mary J Blige. After that I beat out 23 other make up artists for my spot at The View. This is where I received my two Emmy nominations.

AM: Who are celebrities or projects that you have worked on that we would know?

KO:  I worked on The View and with artists like Jay Z, Nas, Sean Puffy Combs,  Lauren Hill, Rosario Dawson, Goldie Hawn, Mary J. Blige, Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, The Dixie chicks, Deepak Chopra, I've even done Donald Trump's makeup. 

AM: How did Inner Orange come about (from it's name, your partnership with Vapour etc)? 

KO: Vapor Organic Beauty and I have been working together in different capacities for over five years. I have always respected them as a brand because they have always been inclusive of all shades. The name Inner Orange is of course a play on my last name. I find that orange, the color, usually makes people feel excited. The sun has hues of orange, changing leaves have beautiful tones of orange. Some amazing foods are orange. Orange makes you glow. Inner Orange is about glowing strong in whatever-you do, and the colors in the collection reflect a 'glow strong' attitude.

AM: What products are currently in Inner Orange and what are your plans for this portion of the line in terms of extending the product range? 

KO: Inner Orange currently consists of two collections. The first collection is called Spark and it's for light to medium skin-tones. It consists of peachy and soft gold neutral tones. The Crave collection consists of warm burnt orange shades and rich chocolate browns. It is more for medium to darker shades. Inner Orange will continue to develop with Vapor Organic Beauty. You will see the addition of seasonal colors and products to support the crave and spark collection, giving you more possibilities. 

You will also see additional products under the Inner Orange umbrella. The next product is a synergistic essential oil blend called Inner Orange, which will be available in January on the Inner Orange website. 
 

AM: When we talked with you at the event, you explained that you're a Low Beauty makeup artist - can you explain more about what this and misconceptions that people may have on this title/category?

KO: Over the years I have seen the words clean, green, organic, sustainable, natural all used to describe more conscious personal care products. These are the words that I have used to describe personal care products. Recently, I have thought about what it is that I do. What it is that I would like to teach women. It became a concept that I have personally coined to describe my practice which I call 'Low' Beauty. It's very easy for the average person to understand. Everyone likes things in life that are low! Low mortgage rates, low-risk activities, low pesticides in food.

Low beauty is three basic steps and rules, that I try to follow.

*As a makeup artist, I try to use the minimum amount of products to get maximum results. When I teach a woman how to do their make up I try and make it as simple as possible. If she is currently using 10 products I try to get it down to five or six. 

*I also try to introduce products with low undesirable ingredients. 

*Lastly I try to pick products with low carbon footprints. Sometimes the low carbon footprint part can have shades of grey. 

AM: How did your journey to being a Low Beauty artist come about? 

KO: My journey as a low beauty make up artist came about by trial and error. Using minimal products came about on a tour with Mary J Blige. At the time, Mary had her own makeup kit that I was using. Somehow her make up kit got left behind at the last venue. That night I had to do Mary's make up with a few products. It taught me how to be a minimalist. Also working on The View (live television), where you have no extra time for extra products, confirmed my minimalistic approach. 

The need to use products with low undesirable ingredients came about through my personal nightmare. A lipstick that I had been using every day for years sent me to the emergency room because of a sudden allergic reaction. I didn't wear lipstick for almost 10 years after this. I also started making the connection between women and autoimmune disease and what we put in our bodies. There are so many women that have reactions to something they have been using every day. The body one day says that's enough, and makes the immune system go haywire. I was lucky that my reaction happened on the outside of my body immediately. I was able to stop using the product, a lot of women are not so lucky when symptoms happen internally. 

The low carbon footprint aspect can be a bit overwhelming. While I understand that sometimes companies can't do everything right, they should still make an effort not to intentionally incorporate practices that are wrong and harm the earth or animals. They should support sustainable practices and know every element of their manufacturing. 

AM: There is a growing conversation among many about the need to transition a number of beauty products from those that are chemically based to those that have less as well as those that have not been tested on animals.

What products swaps do you suggest for mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow, cleansers, toners, moisturizer etc. Are there any products that you suggest that people continue to use that may not be Low Beauty oriented but are safe to use?

KO: You're trying to get me in trouble with this question (lol). I believe in education not scare tactics because I'm a magician, not a preacher. I encourage women to switch three products first - their lipstick because they eat it. Their body lotion because your skin is the biggest elimination organ in the body, and your nail polish because the nail beds are so porous and traditional nail products are so toxic.

Let's also remember that I am a makeup artist and I love makeup. I still follow the trends and products in traditional makeup. I have to relate to any woman that comes to me for a consultation. I have to understand what she is using and why.

So, if you come to me as a virgin when it comes to owning cleaner versions of beauty products, I'm going to be very gentle with my recommendations. My first step is to educate you and get you out of any lipstick that has toxic ingredients. With that being said if you're addicted to your Dior Show mascara (which I know is fabulous) I'm going to say enjoy it and tackle other things (first things first). 

Here are some of my favorite products (yes they all fall under Low Beauty lol)

Mascara: Mineral Fusion and Gabriel Cosmetics 

Eyeliner: Zuzu Luxe (they have a ton of fabulous colors and shades, for both eyeliners and lip liners). 

Lipstick: Any color you love that's nontoxic. 

Foundation: I love Vapour and Mineral Fusion in liquid formulas. (they offer so many varieties and formulations). I also like Au Naturale sticks and ZuZu Luxe for powder. 

Eyeshadow: Most mineral shadows are ok. Just make sure they are not made in a country that tests on animals. Also, try and find some that contain no FD & C Dyes. 

Cleansers, Moisturizers, Toners: Try brands like Indie Lee, Kimberly Sayer, Dr. Hascka and Even Healy. All of these brands are amazing.

Read more from the Nov issue and see Get The Facts | Low Beauty in mag.

ALMOND BEAUTY

Almonds are a great treat, but they are also a gift for the skin, whether your product has almonds in their entirety, essence or just the oil. We have a roundup of some of our favorites to include in your beauty routine as we come to the end of the year.

| DOVE ADVANCED CARE Clear Tone Sheer Touch | TRILOGY Age-Proof Active Enzyme Cleansing Cream | L'OCCITANE Almond Supple Skin Oil | NUDE SKINCARE Replenish Daily Moisturizer | PHOTO CREDIT UnSplash

FALL SKIN

With the summer coming to an end, we're starting to navigate back towards our Pumpkin Latte and favorite boots. Amidst our style and culinary transitions, we begin to think about our skin and how we can protect it to maintain that healthy glow. We chatted with Dr. Janet Prystowsky about this very topic to let you know about what you need to do to be prepared for this season!

ATHLEISURE MAG: How does skin change from the Summer season to the Fall season?

DR. JANET PRYSTOWSKY: Humidity levels change between warm and cold months, so that’s going to impact the kinds of skincare products you need to use. Moving into Fall, it’s time to start up a consistent moisturizing routine to keep your skin hydrated. Otherwise your skin can become dull and dry.

AM:  What can be done to ensure that the skin has enough moisture (ie drinking water, certain nutrients one can have within the body)?

DR. JP: Staying well hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet will definitely be reflected in your skin. This is more of a lifestyle tip than a quick tip though. One apple or donut won’t immediately make your skin better or worse.
 
AM: When showering, what temperature should water be set at for the best way to cleanse the skin without damaging it?

DR. JP: Don’t take hot showers! Hot showers may feel nice and hydrating, but they actually cause evaporation of water from your skin by melting off your own natural moisturizing oils, thereby drying you out. Opt for a warm shower every time. Also, a little soap can go a long way. Using too much soap can wash off your body’s natural, and protective oils. If you use a washcloth, you’re almost certainly rubbing off your body’s natural oils. Try ditching the washcloth, using less soap, or using a gentler soap if you have dry skin issues. I’ve recommended Dove gentle cleansing bars to my patients for years, and recently started working with the brand. If you still have dry skin issues, use a body oil right after you get out of the shower. I’m a fan of body oils with vitamin E.

AM: If you have chapped lips, what is the body telling you and how can we treat as well as eliminate this?

DR. JP: If your lips are chapped, they are probably dry and irritated. If you frequently use lip balms or are constantly licking your lips, stop! You’re only going to make your lips more chapped. Go to your local pharmacy and pick up a small tube of Aquaphor. It’s great for lips and other chapped skin too. Just wipe or blot off the excess if you use too much.

AM: Dry/Ashy skin is always annoying, how can we treat this to ensure that we don't see this?

DR. JP: Use a moisturizer with vitamins and essential oils. There are certain vitamins, like vitamins A and D, that are naturally found in your skin. I like to call them bioidentical vitamins. By providing your skin with those same vitamins, I think you’re giving your skin its best chance to stay hydrated and soft. I made my own moisturizer that you can find on my site. It has three essential oils and three bioidentical vitamins. We just finished a consumer perception study where 100% of the participants said our cream hydrated and nourished their skin.We’re coming out with a complexion cream, cuticle cream, anti aging cream, and after sun cream too if you’d like to try them when they come out as well!
 
AM: What lotions, balms, salves, etc do you suggest for us to have on hand as we transition into fall?

DR. JP: Besides my moisturizer, I recommend buying a gentle bar cleanser like Dove’s. I also recommend buying a body oil for right after the shower in the morning. Also Aquaphor for your lips. I think skincare should be simple and easy. Less is more.

AM: Lightweight lotions, water based lotions, rich creams - tell us what we need to know about these and how it works within our skincare and when/how they should be used?

DR. JP: Lightweight lotions are for late Spring to early Fall. There’s not much reason to bog down your skin with a heavy cream during the warmest, most humid time of the year. During the late Fall through early Spring, I absolutely recommend a richer cream. We all need something during the Winter that can combat the icy wind and office heaters that take out our skin’s moisture.

AM: Are there certain skin areas that need to be treated differently than other areas ie softer skin (like underarms)?

DR. JP: More often than not you’ll be O.K. treating your skin the same way across the board. If you notice any areas that need a little more tender love and care though, there’s probably a specific way to treat it! Dry cracked feet, itchy scalps, irritated inner thighs, and ashy elbows all can be nuisances, that vary case by case.  Consult with your skincare expert, i.e. your dermatologist.
 
AM:  What are your thoughts on Skin Masks - how often should they be done and what are your thoughts on foot masks that peel layers of your skin off days after applying the booties?

DR. JP: I don’t recommend skin masks. I’m not convinced that they are any more efficient than other moisturizers at rehydrating skin. I especially do not recommend DIY face masks. It’s difficult to know how fresh your ingredients are and how your skin may react. Allergic reactions are common! I wouldn’t recommend using foot masks that peel layers of your skin. If you’re interested in chemical peels, I recommend consulting a dermatologist. While there are over-the-counter products that are considered safe, it’s always best to have a trained professional take the helm when skin peeling chemicals are involved.
 
AM: How can we maintain glowing fall skin?

DR JP: Establish a solid moisturizing and cleansing routine. Cleanse just enough to feel clean in the morning and wipe off your makeup at night. Aggressive cleansing with hot water is an easy way to strip away your natural oils and dry your skin out, and dry skin isn’t as healthy as hydrated skin. Other than that, keep your skin well hydrated with moisturizers. 

See more from Sept Issue.