Summertime is the perfect opportunity to adorn your fingers and toes with an array of colours. If you love nail polish, you might know that the availability of top-notch natural nail polish lines does not compare to the wide range of natural skincare and makeup companies. Given that, it was a treat to speak to Kartika Luyet, the co-founder of Kure Bazaar—an award-winning natural-based nail polish line with over 60 colours. Parvati Magazine spoke with Kartika about the beginnings of Kure Bazaar, and how their no-compromise standards led to success.
Parvati Magazine: What inspired you to start Kure Bazaar? Did you have a background in cosmetics before this?
Kartika Luyet: It all began when I was pregnant with my son. I had this awakening and I started to be more and more conscious of what I was putting in my body. I chose as much as possible to eat organic and then it also drifted to my cosmetic choices. As much as I love nail polishes, during the first months after the birth of my baby I had naturally stopped wearing them.
Since then, cosmetics have come a long way and today we can find a variety of natural options, but it’s unbelievable that no alternative of a classic nail polish—which would guarantee longevity and have a range of great shiny colors too—is available to find.
That’s when I got together with one of my closest friends (who happened to be in the cosmetic industry for over twenty years) and seriously started to look into this matter. The most amazing thing is that we were then fortunate to work together with one of the best laboratories today, who accepted this challenge with us.
PMAG: What surprised you the most about creating a natural line?
KL: I have to admit, we were quite surprised ourselves with the results as the whole journey wasn’t always promising. I can tell you that it didn’t even seem possible at the beginning of our research, two years ago. Yes, we wanted a natural-based formula, but on the other hand we were not willing to make any compromise whatsoever; it needed to be resistant, long-lasting, fast drying, with super shine and great colours. In other words, quite a challenge! And 85% natural-based ingredients is the highest percentage possible today to achieve these results. The outcome was then miraculous. Nature is capable of amazing things!
PMAG: Other polishes use formaldehyde and toluene. What are the ingredients you rely on?
KL: The most incredible result for us is to be able to create a nail polish without compromise (long lasting, resistant, fast drying) by formulating “10 Free”, without [the] addition of toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, synthetic camphor, TPHP, paraben, xylene, styrene, benzophenone-1 or benzophenone-3. This is our secret, and people say that we have the most beautiful colors in the world. Perhaps because of the French fashion touch.
PMAG: You have an extensive lines of colours to fit different looks, seasons and styles. What are your favourite collections and colours for the summer?
KL: This summer will be Nude, Nude and definitely Nude for the day, so I really love our Summer Collection with three delicate colors: Nomade, Sable and Kimono. They are all so chic and the perfect color touch for feet this summer! Of course, at night red is always a good idea. I love our “Lipstick”; [it is] not too orange, and [it is] very, very feminine!
PMAG: What are you working on now at Kure Bazaar?
KL: An amazing 100% organic oil for nails and cuticles, the most precious and effective product in this category.
Kartika Luyet was discovered as a model at the age of 17 in Paris and went on to co-host several TV shows. She is the co-founder of the award-winning Kure Bazaar nail polish line consisting of 85% natural ingredients. Kure features in concept stores worldwide and is praised by celebrities and trendsetters.