Melissa Meisel, Associate Editor05.28.10
Multi-tasking Sue Devitt—makeup artist, product formulator, explorer and philanthropist—continues her unique global journey in search of inspiration for her latest product collection, A Southern Seas Sojourn.
Her previous adventures to the Great Barrier Reef, India and Mt. Kilimanjaro have yielded striking destination-derived makeup collections with a cult following at stores such as Bloomingdale’s and Barneys New York. So it’s no surprise that her recent voyage to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific represents the lush and colorful inspiration for her latest cosmetics range.
Although the Solomon Islands are geographically close to Australia where Devitt was raised, their intriguing, untouched beauty seemed impossibly distant, she said.
“It’s widely acknowledged that no one can visit the Islands for any length of time and remain untouched by their raw beauty; you are forever changed,” Devitt explained. “That’s why I set out on this latest exploration—and came back with inspiration for a gorgeously-hued collection, plus a deep affinity for preserving this paradise of raw beauty.”
An experienced diver, Devitt encountered some of the most pristine and color-rich coral formations she’d seen anywhere on the planet while in the South Pacific. She was enthralled by the depth and diversity of their shades, their intricate underwater beauty, and she instantly knew she had found her inspiration for her latest cosmetics collection.
Leading the Solomon Islands collection is the Hydrating Marine Minerals Destination Eye & Cheek Palette ($37.50)—a blend of coral, pink and bronze shades in a hydrating mineral formulation that combines sea and marine ingredients, flower derivatives and other nourishing elements in an encapsulated, proprietary delivery system. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid combine to capture water from the air and continuously deliver it to the skin, increasing skin’s moisture level and vitality, while providing longwearing color. Devitt also included tamanu essence, an antioxidant-rich ingredient she discovered in the Solomon Islands, which helps to nurture delicate skin.
“Hydration for skin and body is important to us as a beauty company. But it’s also a global issue we are addressing with our current philanthropic efforts,” she said. “These efforts focus on the preservation and sustainable use of the oceans, reefs and the South Pacific ecosystem. Millions of people in developing countries depend on reefs for food and their livelihood. Exploring these destinations over the past several years has made me highly aware of how environmental conditions are affecting our coral reef ecosystem, especially in the remote areas of the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. This is a part of the world that I’m very connected to. I believe it to be one of the most beautiful yet, unfortunately, endangered regions.”
As a result, proceeds from the Destination Eye & Cheek Palette benefit the non-profit organization Coral Reefs in the South Pacific (CRISP).
The new range also features new hues of Devitt’s popular Lip Intensifier Pencil ($22) in Kirakira, a nude; Malaita, a pink nude; Bellona, a dusty rose and Tinakula, a deep nude. This product contains a formulation that moisturizes while intensifying natural color to maximize the appearance of the lips and to enhance natural lip shape. The addition of a new matte pink to Devitt’s Lip Enhancing Gloss ($22) also rounds out the marine-inspired mix.
More info: www.suedevittbeauty.com
Her previous adventures to the Great Barrier Reef, India and Mt. Kilimanjaro have yielded striking destination-derived makeup collections with a cult following at stores such as Bloomingdale’s and Barneys New York. So it’s no surprise that her recent voyage to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific represents the lush and colorful inspiration for her latest cosmetics range.
This multi-wear facial powder offers dazzling highlights. |
“It’s widely acknowledged that no one can visit the Islands for any length of time and remain untouched by their raw beauty; you are forever changed,” Devitt explained. “That’s why I set out on this latest exploration—and came back with inspiration for a gorgeously-hued collection, plus a deep affinity for preserving this paradise of raw beauty.”
An experienced diver, Devitt encountered some of the most pristine and color-rich coral formations she’d seen anywhere on the planet while in the South Pacific. She was enthralled by the depth and diversity of their shades, their intricate underwater beauty, and she instantly knew she had found her inspiration for her latest cosmetics collection.
Leading the Solomon Islands collection is the Hydrating Marine Minerals Destination Eye & Cheek Palette ($37.50)—a blend of coral, pink and bronze shades in a hydrating mineral formulation that combines sea and marine ingredients, flower derivatives and other nourishing elements in an encapsulated, proprietary delivery system. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid combine to capture water from the air and continuously deliver it to the skin, increasing skin’s moisture level and vitality, while providing longwearing color. Devitt also included tamanu essence, an antioxidant-rich ingredient she discovered in the Solomon Islands, which helps to nurture delicate skin.
A lipgloss that fortifies and shines. |
As a result, proceeds from the Destination Eye & Cheek Palette benefit the non-profit organization Coral Reefs in the South Pacific (CRISP).
The new range also features new hues of Devitt’s popular Lip Intensifier Pencil ($22) in Kirakira, a nude; Malaita, a pink nude; Bellona, a dusty rose and Tinakula, a deep nude. This product contains a formulation that moisturizes while intensifying natural color to maximize the appearance of the lips and to enhance natural lip shape. The addition of a new matte pink to Devitt’s Lip Enhancing Gloss ($22) also rounds out the marine-inspired mix.
More info: www.suedevittbeauty.com