Interview with the Founder of Kara's Way

Hey Readers,

A few weeks ago I mentioned that there is a new eco-friendly beauty sample box called Kara's Way that will be launching soon. They are hoping to get the box launch in May so to tide you over till then, here's a short interview with the founder of Kara's Way.

Thanks!

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What is Kara's Way?

Kara's Way is a monthly box 5-10 eco-friendly beauty samples delivered to you, where you can enjoy them without feeling rushed. It's frustrating when you go shopping and maybe take a little dab of something here and there on the back of your hand, but you never get a chance to really try the product like you would normally. I see testers at stores all the time for facial scrubs or cleansers; are you going to really wash your face in the store? Or maybe that lipstick that looked good under the store lights looks entirely different in other lighting. Kara's Way samples give you a chance to take your time testing the product before having to commit to the full size.

Why are you focusing on eco-friendly products?

I've always had very sensitive skin and eczema. It's a skin disorder, thought to be caused by genetic and environmental factors. As I'd try to find lotions that would moisturize without irritating my skin, I started paying more attention to the ingredients in all my personal care products. Our skin can absorb what we put onto it, so you want to make sure it's a substance you feel comfortable ingesting. I find that the more simple and unrefined a product was, the less chance there would be of causing a reaction. It's difficult to pinpoint what is irritating your skin when you're looking at a product with a long list of ingredients.

Of course, not everyone has the crazy-sensitive skin I do, but it turns out that there's a lot of questionable ingredients in beauty products. Some are even known to be bad for you, like lead in lipsticks or nail polish with formaldehyde. The argument here is that the percentage is so small that it won't hurt you, but you use these products repeatedly over a lifetime, and I don't see the point in taking that risk if there's an alternative. Maybe you don't have a wide selection of natural products nearby, or you're wary of ordering online without being familiar with the brand, so Kara's Way makes it easy to find an eco-friendly substitute.

What companies do you plan on working with?

There a lot of great, up and coming indie brands that many people aren't familiar with, so we're going to put more of an emphasis on those. While I can't name any specific companies at this point, there will definitely be products that are unique and exciting!

What kinds of products do you plan on featuring?

The box will be filled with cosmetics, skincare and personal care products. You could get anything from eye shadows and nail polish, to soaps and skincare tools.

What are you hoping to achieve in the long run? Or rather, what are you hoping to accomplish with the box?

I hope to make it easier to make choices regarding what products you use. Just because something is natural, doesn't mean it's good for you, and if something is a chemical, doesn't mean it's bad for you. There's so much confusion out there, we really need to stay informed consumers and only purchase products in line with our ideals and what we consider to be healthy.

What is your favourite makeup? What is your favourite product?

I prefer a minimal makeup look most days, so I stick with the basics: foundation, filling in brows a bit, mascara and sheer lip color. I love multi use products, like shadows that work for your brows, lids and as eyeliner. Korres Mineral Powder Foundation is one of my favorites; light weight and looks natural.