After months of chatting with Purple Lab founder Karen Robinovitz via Twitter, I finally had the pleasure of meeting her in person, not once but twice in the same week! Karen's infectious energy, great style and entrepreneurial spirit inspired me so much, I asked her to sit down for a quick Q&A for eye4style readers. Here's what she had to say:
I've had the pleasure of testing and loving Purple Lab's Huge Lips, Skinny Hips glosses. Tell us what inspired you to create the line.
The line started on a whim with an idea I had a cocktail party where I ate way too much... way too quickly! After 20 minutes, I said to my husband, "We have to go home. I have ring around the waist and I'm so uncomfortable." He had no clue what I was talking about. You know when you eat so much that you have a red ring around your waist and your pants start to feel one size too small? That was me. (editor's note: Yes, this feeling is all too familiar.)
He wasn't quite ready to leave, so I jokingly said, "If my lip gloss would plump my lips and not my hips, I wouldn't be in this mess!" That is when I thought - OMG! Huge Lips Skinny Hips! Lip gloss with plumper AND appetite suppressant. He encouraged me to just do it. I, of course, had NO idea what I was doing but I spent two years figuring it out to bring the first product to market. Then the brand was born - Purple Lab and Huge Lips Skinny Hips is the first of many fun, sexy, double duty beauty products that are chic, playful and sophisticated in formulation! (Soft sell!)
You've had a lot of success with the Huge Lips, Skinny Hips glosses. Can you give us any inside scoop on what's next for Purple Lab? Any new colors or products that you're ready to share with the world?
There are two new colors for fall. One is called Goji Berry Smoothie, which really matches the smoothie I have every morning for breakfast. And it comes with my masterpiece recipe. The other is a lovely pink (it's the perf pink! I got a sneak preview!) called Limo to Lobby, named after the shoes you can't walk in and skirts you can't sit in - clothes that are only good for literally walking from the lobby to the limo! My favorite kind (though I rarely ever go out).
In October, we're doing an incredible lip gloss to give back to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, which supports the research and awareness of a rare subtype of breast cancer. The gloss is formulated with Echinacea (immune system booster), mangosteens (full of anti-oxidants), vanilla (an anti-depressant) and real gold flakes in addition to Vitamins C and E. A portion of our proceeds give back to the foundation and the color is named Nancy, who lost her battle to the disease and inspired her friends to create this important foundation. We all want to give something back to women everywhere and mark Nancy's legacy.
We're in development with a full line, which will launch slowly - mascara, foundation, blush, bronzer, concealer, skincare - everything! I am so excited, it is not normal!
Aside from Huge Lips, Skinny Hips, what are your beauty essentials?
- An eyelash curler! Key! Even if I am not in the mood to do mascara, I will always curl the lashes.
- I am a big fan of a cream blush and then using a dab on my eyelids to give them a pop.
- I love a little highlighting pencil below the brow line to make the arches pop - and on the bow of the lips (always makes them juicier).
- And as much water as I can drink (Tazo Passion flavor tea is the best thing I do for my routine)
You are one of the best dressed women that I know, so along the same lines, what are your absolute closet MUST'S - designers, silhouettes, staple items...anything!
Aw, thank you! I do love my fashion and I told my husband before we got married that I have a "401-Kloset," not a 401-K! I never leave the house in anything less than 5" heels (I need all the height I can get) (Karen would likely be about 5'0 in flats...though I can't say I've ever seen her in flats, so this is a guesstimate!).
I am obsessed with Current Elliot jeans, fedoras, high drama sleeves, and thick belts that cinch the waist. My favorite designers: Balenciaga, Lanvin, Givenchy, Balmain, Alexander McQueen for super high fashion moments and fantasies. Alexander Wang does the best tees and Rick Owens layers are perfect for downtown studied casual. The Olsens collections - both Elizabeth & James and The Row - are amazing. Kain tank tops make me melt. I could go on!
A good white button down is my savior - but I like to mix it up and wear a waistcoat and thick belt over it.
Last but not least, you have such an infectious energy - what's the last word that you'd give women on confidence and positivity?
Never let anyone tell you no, you can't, or you're not good enough - ESPECIALLY YOURSELF! Do whatever you wish you could do.
Surround yourself with good people who truly want the best for you - and always support every single female in your life because there is enough of the big pie of life for all of us. We girls have to look out for each other, not compete.
To learn more about Karen and Purple Lab, check out www.purplelabnyc.com or follow her on Twitter. To snag Huge Lips, Skinny Hips glosses, visit b-glowing.
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