Christine Esposito, Associate Editor08.29.16
Lash Star Beauty, founded by makeup artist Tracy Murphy, debuted on QVC last month. Happi caught up with Murphy—who has worked with Hollywood A-listers like Brooklyn Decker and Kate Upton—after her appearance to see what’s new at her lash-centric beauty brand.
Happi: How did the QVC debut go?
Murphy: It was fun, exciting and over in a flash—that’s live TV for ya! Shawn Killinger, the host, was absolutely fantastic, and she made the whole experience incredible. I can’t wait to go back!
HAPPI: Tell us about the development of Lash Star Beauty—was there an “aha!” moment or was this a longer road to launch this brand on your own?
Murphy:It started as a book about lashes! In my business I am known as the “Lash Queen.” I realized that I had been inadvertently been conducting my own lash research laboratory for the last 20 years and cracked the code of what works best on all types of lashes. I wrote a book about lashes (not yet published) and decided to form it into a line of products that really work—Lash Star Beauty.
HAPPI: What do you consider your star/hero product—and why?
Murphy: Our Full Control Lash Sculpting Mascara is definitely our superstar product! There are two brushes that work in tandem to layer mascara to get your best lashes ever. The first brush finds every single lash hair then the second brush builds the lash by depositing mascara root to tip with no clumping in an endlessly buildable formula.
HAPPI: What is the "customized lash diagnosis” that your brand delivers?
Murphy:In my 20 years of working on set, I have been able to classify what works best for different types of lashes. Our online lash diagnosis basically replicates what I do when I am on set—figure out what type of lashes someone has and what tools and products work to make them the best lashes they can be.
HAPPI: How challenging is it for your company to carve out a name for itself in the competitive beauty space?
Murphy:The beauty space is very competitive these days, so many people doing great things. It is very exciting! We are the first makeup artist curated brand focused exclusively on lashes and eyes, so we feel like we have a unique focus, perspective and of course, killer products that actually work!
HAPPI: Any new products that we can talk about?
Murphy:All of them! Our Pure Pigment Kohl Liner just came out, it’s super duper black and densely pigmented, I use it on the waterline for dramatic standout eyes. Our Flash of Brilliance Illuminators are incredibly special. I wanted to replicate what I do on set and red carpet when I want the skin to glow, but not be overly sparkly. These are just a bounce of light that softens everything on the face and makes the skin have a special secret something…I’m just mad about our new Visionary Lashes! They are gorgeous! Synthetic silk material with fine polished tips that look like real lashes, only better! We made the band super comfortable for easy wearing and batting those lashes. There are 10 styles in various styles, all are incredibly flattering! And our ultra-flattering Modern Nudes Eyeshadow Quads. These colors are so incredibly beautiful and wearable for all skin types. These are the shades that just work. It’s all of those in-between nudes and quiet colors that are something-but-nothing, that look lovely on the eye. I always say in our line, the mascara is the star and the other products are the co-stars!
Happi: How did the QVC debut go?
Murphy: It was fun, exciting and over in a flash—that’s live TV for ya! Shawn Killinger, the host, was absolutely fantastic, and she made the whole experience incredible. I can’t wait to go back!
HAPPI: Tell us about the development of Lash Star Beauty—was there an “aha!” moment or was this a longer road to launch this brand on your own?
Murphy:It started as a book about lashes! In my business I am known as the “Lash Queen.” I realized that I had been inadvertently been conducting my own lash research laboratory for the last 20 years and cracked the code of what works best on all types of lashes. I wrote a book about lashes (not yet published) and decided to form it into a line of products that really work—Lash Star Beauty.
HAPPI: What do you consider your star/hero product—and why?
Murphy: Our Full Control Lash Sculpting Mascara is definitely our superstar product! There are two brushes that work in tandem to layer mascara to get your best lashes ever. The first brush finds every single lash hair then the second brush builds the lash by depositing mascara root to tip with no clumping in an endlessly buildable formula.
HAPPI: What is the "customized lash diagnosis” that your brand delivers?
Murphy:In my 20 years of working on set, I have been able to classify what works best for different types of lashes. Our online lash diagnosis basically replicates what I do when I am on set—figure out what type of lashes someone has and what tools and products work to make them the best lashes they can be.
HAPPI: How challenging is it for your company to carve out a name for itself in the competitive beauty space?
Murphy:The beauty space is very competitive these days, so many people doing great things. It is very exciting! We are the first makeup artist curated brand focused exclusively on lashes and eyes, so we feel like we have a unique focus, perspective and of course, killer products that actually work!
HAPPI: Any new products that we can talk about?
Murphy:All of them! Our Pure Pigment Kohl Liner just came out, it’s super duper black and densely pigmented, I use it on the waterline for dramatic standout eyes. Our Flash of Brilliance Illuminators are incredibly special. I wanted to replicate what I do on set and red carpet when I want the skin to glow, but not be overly sparkly. These are just a bounce of light that softens everything on the face and makes the skin have a special secret something…I’m just mad about our new Visionary Lashes! They are gorgeous! Synthetic silk material with fine polished tips that look like real lashes, only better! We made the band super comfortable for easy wearing and batting those lashes. There are 10 styles in various styles, all are incredibly flattering! And our ultra-flattering Modern Nudes Eyeshadow Quads. These colors are so incredibly beautiful and wearable for all skin types. These are the shades that just work. It’s all of those in-between nudes and quiet colors that are something-but-nothing, that look lovely on the eye. I always say in our line, the mascara is the star and the other products are the co-stars!