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Is Your Natural Beauty Product Really Natural?

RMS Beauty is home to award-winning luminous face products and vibrant makeup. We spoke with founder Rose-Marie Swift about their stand-out products, the unnatural side of the natural beauty industry and the spring makeup trend she is loving!

Parvati Magazine: You state that in your process of learning about the cosmetic industry, you found that many natural ingredients end up like man-made chemicals. How does that happen? What should customers be aware of when purchasing natural products?

Rose-Marie Swift: I discovered the majority of ingredients used for natural cosmetics (organic or not) go through multiple steps from deodorizing, refining, adulterating and fractionating during production to heating to extremely high temperatures again during manufacturing. Some of these processes render the “natural” ingredients equivalent to man-made. My best advice is to go with people who really stand behind their brands and will answer all the questions you could possibly ask about their product. I have found that many brands cannot answer in-depth questions regarding their products. Ask them if their oils are refined, bleached or deodorized. Ask them what micron size their minerals are and if they are coated in silicone or parabens. Ask them if their Vitamin E contains GMO soy. More scientific research is being done from outside sources now more than ever which is questioning the credibility of a self regulated industry. The Cosmetic Database is also a valuable source for information on brands.

PMAG: Without giving too much away, how does RMS formulate and preserve their cosmetics?

RMS: RMS Beauty products are formulated with raw, food grade, organic and wildcrafted ingredients in their natural state (or as close as possible), from cultivation, straight through to manufacturing. A few of these organic ingredients are jojoba oil, cocoa and shea butters as well as the highest quality cold-pressed raw coconut oil. Our oil choices tend to have a longer shelf life than some of the oils used in the industry, lessening the worries of rancidity and free radical damage to the skin. RMS Beauty also takes extreme care to use minimal heat in the manufacturing process, thus preserving every vital nutrient that nature provides. We strive to not only use the highest quality of ingredients but to keep those ingredients healthy on the shelf. We run our products in small batches and keep our storage warehouse cold (35 degrees Fahrenheit). This way we can make sure we are bringing you the freshest products with the most beneficial ingredients. Coconut oil has natural antibacterial/anti-fungal properties due to its naturally high levels of lauric and caprylic acid which also helps to preserve the product We also use a natural (non-soy) vitamin E as an antioxidant and a rosemary CO2 as a preservative.

PMAG: You have award winning “Living Luminizer” and “Master Mixer” products. Tell us what makes them award-worthy.

RMS: Nothing compares to the elegant sophistication of the Living Luminizer. The dewy, light-reflecting glow without the cheap glitter look is an all new approach to highlighting. The Master Mixer is a true multitasking product. Its universally flattering rose-gold tone can be mixed with any product, instantly doubling your makeup bag.

PMAG: There are so many colors and shades in your lip, eye and nail collections. What palettes and products are you loving right now for spring? What are you excited for this summer?

RMS: I am totally into the powerful and bold mouth with my new lipstick colors. No matter what is on trend in the season, nothing tops a beautiful mouth.

PMAG: You were personally affected by high levels of heavy metals due to a lengthy career in the makeup industry and subsequently started Beauty Truth, an online educational resource. Tell us about this site.

RMS: I share my personal experience and knowledge including information on ingredients, regulations in the industry and about the chemicals in our cosmetic/skincare products. This helps to answer some of the questions the consumer might have regarding their products and potential warning signs. Beauty Truth helps to contribute to making informed decisions about your own health and beauty future.

Rose-Marie Wift-RMS Beauty

Rose-Marie Swift has been a make-up artist for over 35 years; her work has been featured in countless publications, her portfolio includes many famous faces and she has worked with some of the top fashion photographers. In her late 30s she began to experience health issues and learned that her blood contained toxic levels of heavy metals as well as pesticides and other chemicals also used in cosmetics. After years of rebuilding her own health, Rose-Marie created RMS Beauty, her acclaimed line of organic color cosmetics.