Karim Orange is an Emmy-nominated makeup artist who has created looks for famous faces like Amel Larrieux, Rosario Dawson and Meredith Vieira. She is a contributor to About.com, Huffington Post and—full-disclosure!—Organic Spa Magazine. Orange is also an accomplished horticulturalist and urban gardener, who is completing her second year of Farm School in New York City. We spoke with Orange after she launched Hue, a special makeup collection for women of color, with Vapour Organic Beauty.
(products from right to left) Atmosphere Luminous Foundation 130, Mesmerize Eye Shimmer in Firefly, Mesmerize Eye Shimmer in Gilt, Solar Translucent Bronzer in Spicy, Siren Lipstick in Torrid, Elixir Lip Gloss in Tease, Mesmerize Eyeliner in Ink
OSM: Tell us about Hue. What does the collection mean to you and how did it come about?
KO: The collection was a collaboration between myself and Vapour Organic Beauty. Vapour is a brand I have always trusted because of their integrity and high standard of ingredients (70 percent organic). They are also one of the few sustainable brands that have been inclusive of women of color from its conception. A founder, makeup artist Eric Sakas, who helped create the line Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, had a lot to do with this.
OSM: This is a tie-in to Black History Month, right?
KO: That’s how it started, but now it’s going to remain available.
OSM: What are some of the challenges women of color experience when looking for pretty makeup shades?
KO: I think women of color can sometimes feel discriminated against when it comes to buying makeup. For a group that collectively spends 80 percent more than every other group combined when it comes to personal care products, to be told by a company that ‘we don’t make your shade of foundation’ is not a pretty feeling. Women of color are unique because we come in such a range of beautiful Hues, from Vanessa Williams to Lupita Nyong’o. What natural brands need to realize is that we are loyal, so please find a way to include foundation shades for women of color when creating your brand.
OSM: How does the Hue Beauty Collection address those challenges?
KO: The collection includes a foundation shade that can be used by lot of women of color (including Hispanic and Indian). The collection also addresses these issues with shades that can be mixed together to create several different looks ranging from day to evening, from subtle to dramatic. The collection combines shimmers with deep burgundies and a playful orange/ tangerine. Since Vapour is 70 percent organic it can be used any where on the face.
OSM: What are some of the advantages to this being a natural line?
KO: The advantage to this being a natural line is that it’s good for the body and the earth (Vapour believes in sustainable practices in manufacturing as well). You’re seeing more and more women going natural with their hair, but they have to stop at makeup because there are do few brands that cater to our unique undertones.
OSM: What are some of your favorite color trends this season?
KO: My ultimate favorite trend for the Spring season is glowing skin with a strong brow. I’m also liking smokey black.
OSM readers can get a discount by using code: FEBHUE
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