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kate o'brien: beauty without compromise

Wednesday, June 6, 2007



I've been a fan of Kate O'Brien's Portland-based company, Alima Cosmetics, for a while now. The Alima Cosmetics line is handcrafted with the purest ingredients and luxurious pigments that provide subtle and beautiful reflective properties. Having sensitive skin, I love that their products are free from potential irritants and allergens. Not only is it gentle, but it's naturally anti-bacterial, doesn't clog pores, and best of all, a little goes a long way.

I'm very happy that Kate is here at Trust Your Style today for a little interview! As I mentioned yesterday, so many people have been asking me about what natural and organic beauty products they should be using that I thought I'd interview some of my favorite natural/organic cosmetic manufacturers and let them share what they're wearing on their own skin and talk a little about the world of conscious beauty.


Kate O'Brien, creator of Alima Cosmetics


mj: Do you think you can be "green" and still have great style?

kate: Absolutely! Runways around the globe are featuring eco-fashion, and many gorgeous natural cosmetics and skin care lines have been cropping up. I think we're at the beginning of a huge wave, and as people become more concerned about the fate of our environment they are making choices with more care. The great news is that you can have it all--beautiful fashion, luxurious cosmetics, and pure, environmentally and socially responsible products. Even mainstream stores are beginning to make the switch. I love that we can vote with our ATM cards, and industry will respond.


Alima Luminous Shimmer Blush


mj: How did you first get involved with conscious manufacturing?

kate: I grew up in California, and went rafting on the Stanislaus River back in the 1970s just before the Army corps of engineers built a dam that flooded the valley. For me that was pivotal, and I joined the Sierra Club, started recycling and have been pretty gung-ho about the environment ever since.

At the same time I traveled in Europe, and lived in Paris for a time and developed a taste for beautiful clothing and cosmetics. For me there never was a 'disconnect' between the two. Beauty without compromise--it's one of our tag lines. It's just a matter of finding the very best options, making careful choices, and maintaining high standards.

Green manufacturing is an evolving process--there are always refinements and improvements to be made. We're find it rewarding to continually reevaluate our processes and supply lines, to be sure that we're always as 'green' as we can be.

mj: Why do you think it's important?

kate: As a mother and a member of the global community I feel very strongly that we should do all we can to treasure our earth and protect it for future generations. It's not a burden, it's a sacred responsibility.



mj: Do you consider yourself to be a green consumer? If so, what are your favorite products (besides Alima)?

kate: Yes, absolutely. We purchase organic, locally grown food, use natural cleaning supplies, make conscious choices with our purchases, and recycle as much as possible. Portland is a fantastic place to live, because we have lots of resources here that make it easy and even fun to be 'green'. I've recently discovered Talulah Skin Care, a fantastic local line created with just as much care as Alima. We also love Kettle Chips (guilty pleasure), Oregon Chai, Tazo Tea, Eileen Fisher, and Pangea Organics.

mj: Even better, could you tell me what skin care products you use during a typical day?

kate: I definitely subscribe to the 'less is more' theory of skincare, and find that simple, gentle products work best. In the evening I use natural organic olive oil to remove makeup and cleanse my skin, and occasionally a mircofiber cloth for mild exfoliation. Talulah Skincare has some beautiful masks and Oma Face Serum, which my skin loves. My 'secret weapon' for great skin is a good diet, lots of water, and exercise. It's old news but true--if you take good care of yourself your skin will glow.


Thanks so much Kate for the interview! You can buy Alima products online at www.AlimaCosmetics.com.


You could win a Shimmer Powder and brush in the TYS b-day drawing!


P.S. Kate has generously donated a beautiful Alima Illuminating Shimmer Powder in Nectar and a Buff Brush to the Trust Your Style Birthday Celebration Drawing. If you haven't entered yet, just email me your name and address with "Birthday Celebration" in the header to maryjomatsumoto@adelphia.net.

There are lots of great prizes for a lucky Trust Your Style reader. The drawing will be held on June 22 and you can see more of the prizes as they arrive by clicking here. Good luck everyone!

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posted by Mary Jo at TrustYourStyle at Wednesday, June 06, 2007

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