Rose Marie Swift from RMS Cosmetics

I was so excited to be able to interview celebrity makeup artist, Rose Marie Swift from RMS Cosmetics. Rosemary is a big shot in the industry, having created the “look” for many advertising campaigns including Victoria’s Secret and Gap. She has made up (like they really need it!) some of the world’s most beautiful faces including Gisele Bunchen, Miranda Kerr, Celine Dion, Paloma Picasso, Isabel Rossalini, Milla Jovovich, and many others. A few years ago, Rose Marie found that she had serious health issues resulting from heavy metal poisoning, and thus her journey towards clean & green cosmetics began.

What is your passion in life?
My passion in life is to spread the word and educate women to be aware of healthier options in cosmetics and skincare. We have been brainwashed into believing so many untruths and fallen prey to false promises it saddens me that so many of us actually believe these cosmetic ingredients that we use every day are actually safe. The cosmetic industry needs a complete overhaul and needs to have to take responsibility for what they sell and advertise. If I can help one person at a time to exchange their chemical-laden skincare and beauty products for one healthy alternative I will have started the ball rolling.

Why did you decide to start your company?
I started a website back in 2004 called Beauty Truth, where I expose some of the toxins and chemicals in the beauty biz. I got so much press and constant questions from readers asking me what the better alternatives are that I actually started researching all these tongue-twisting ingredients listed on the backs of all the beauty products. I decided that nothing was up to my standard so I created my own line of organic color cosmetics called RMS Beauty.

Tell us about your products?
My line is based mostly on organic, raw, food-grade ingredients because when a raw material is refined bleached and deodorized(RBD) they are essentially robbed of their healing enzymes and nutrients. Avoiding processing assures active purity by not damaging any of their natural healing properties.  My all-time favorite being organic, virgin coconut oil. It is a natural antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal due to its high lauric acid content and the skin loves it ….even acne-prone skin( believe it or not)  Try my coconut make-up remover/cleanser and you will see.  I use Jojoba oil which is the closest to human skin and is extremely moisturizing.  Cocoa Butter, Castor Seed Oil, Argan Oil (high in Vitamin E), Bee Propolis (an amazing natural antibiotic), Vitamin E that is non-GMO ( not genetically modified), are just a few of the ingredients that make up the RMS Beauty formulae.   Not only is the line super clean but we use superior ingredients(including raw minerals) than most cosmetic labs would ever use. I also have a thorough knowledge of their origin, manufacturing process, right thru to development. My products are concentrated (they contain no water) so last longer than most other beauty products. They also deliver a beautiful, natural, glow to the skin, as well as heal the skin due to the natural enzymes and anti-oxidants that have not been destroyed by heat and chemical manipulation. Over longterm they are very anti-aging to the skin and are completely without all the synthetics (vitamins) and derivatives that most of the other natural/organic lines are adding.

Do you think there is confusion about “green/eco-friendly skin care and cosmetic products, and what about green washing?

Wow…this is a big handful of a question. Greenwashing is an understatement. Green drowning is a better word because we are being drowned by misinformation. Every brand has decided to jump on the green bandwagon and using it in any way to their advantage by adding a drop of essential oil or using a recycled package and they call it green.  So many people actually believe it is safe and non-toxic when it is green. WRONG.. First of all ….green can mean anything…natural can mean anything …. organic can mean anything. If you do not read the back ingredient deck( and understand somewhat what you are reading) you can be completely lead down the garden path. Laws are coming into effect regarding the word organic so companies will no longer be able to mislead people into thinking their product is organic when they label it so on their product.  The word natural means nothing on a beauty product. There are no laws that define or regulate its use. Companies are now calling their chemical ingredients “natural”. We are on our own in finding beauty products( and food for that matter) that actually are real natural ingredients. Just look at those words on the back of the ingredient decks ….do they sound natural?

What do you consider to be the most toxic ingredients that women should
avoid when purchasing cosmetics?

The scary thing is that the most toxic ingredients that women need to avoid is never on the ingredient deck. The worst are by-products of chemicals such as which cause reproductive abnormalities (high amounts found in nail polish). Another one under public scrutiny are the parabens which are preservatives (these will be found on the bottom of the ingredient decks such as methylparaben…butylparaben….propylparaben etc.) Cosmetic companies are quietly removing these because they want to avoid liability.  My beautytruth site has more information on toxic ingredients

What are the basics we need to create a flawless look?

My first suggestion is a healthy diet. The skin is a mirror of your gut so if you are adding in processed foods void of nutrients and synthetic sweetners and soda pop you are in trouble. Plenty of water, organic fruits and vegetables are my # 1 basic.  Second is make-up that enhances the skin and not covers it up and dries it out. Moist is my philosophy. I love using texture in make-up so it isn’t just a matt palette. Add a little of my Living Luminizer that will add a sheer  glow(without tacky sparkles like traditional highlighters)  that makes you look as if you just had a spa treatment.  I love make-up that shows your skin thru it.

What preservatives do you use and how long do your products last?

Besides using quality healing oils I also use oils that have an extremely long shelf life. My products last for about 2 years but on my labels I suggest 1 year (after opening) because there is no reason for any beauty product to be sitting around for over a year. The products are healthy for the skin so use it. They also contain (non-GMO) Vitamin E which is NOT genetically modified like almost all vitamin E in beauty products.

What are your thoughts on loose mineral powder makeup?

I hate them. Mineral lines are “out”. Everyone looks like a dried up lake bed and they age you big time cause they rob your natural moisture from the skin. Just look at anyone wearing them.  Dr. Oz stated on his show. “Mineral dust used to make mineral makeup is ten times smaller than it was a decade ago, leading to particles small enough to be inhaled into the lungs. Over time, this can cause scarring, inflammation and lung disease in girls and women” I agree with him.

What are your plans for the future ?

Work and more work……. I have plans for new products and hope to build the brand one step at a time.

Finally, what are 3 things that women can do on a daily basis that will help them feel better about themselves?

I am a firm believer of exercise no matter how little. It is necessary for oxygen supply in the body and it lifts ones mood. Also, stop comparing your self to any of those adulterated tv commercials and magazine pictures. They have been so retouched(yes even every frame (by computers) on those TV commercials). None of that is reality. Believe me I work on some of those.
Meditate or even give yourself an affirmation to do every day when you have a free moment. Clears the mind and calms the nerves.

Go to RMS Beauty to buy Rose Marie’s wonderful products. And click here to read more reviews from SophieUliano.com