02.12.10
Ready, Set…Smile
FSL Cosmetics—which touts lipsticks that taste as good as look—marked its entrance into the beauty business with a special launch party in New York City.
By Christine Esposito
Associate Editor
January 30 was a bitterly cold night in New York City, but things were heating up for Kimberly Riley as she was busy hosting the launch party for her new cosmetics brand, FSL Cosmetics.
Working in the cosmetic industry had been a long-time goal for Riley, who spends her day as a chemical engineer. When she didn’t nail that dream job in the business after college, she decided to pursue her passion on the side. The result is FSL Cosmetics, which stands for Feel Good, Smell Good, Look Good.
To have the greatest impact with limited resources, Riley wanted to embark in the beauty market with a product showed the biggest potential.
Kimberly Riley (right) has launched her own line of lip products that look, feel and smell good. |
The answer was lip products.
FSL’s range includes six lipsticks and six lip glosses with unique names and yummy scents, such as Mz. Berry, which has a wild cherry aroma, and Brown Butter, which has a scent reminiscent of cupcakes.
Riley’s personal favorites include 14 Karat, which has a warm, vanilla pear scent, and Coco Bronze, which smells like milk chocolate.
In addition to the gourmand scents, FSL’s lip products “are very hydrating and apply smoothly to the lips,” according to Riley. “Ladies won't ever have to worry about sticky lips with any of my formulas. Some compare the consistency of the lip glosses to smooth, melted chocolate.”
In a nod to the times, and proof she’s done her research, Riley has zeroed in on natural ingredients.
“My specialty is using natural ingredients and exotic fruits from around the world.I want to educate my buyers on different natural ingredients used around the globe and show how they can be incorporated into many day-to-day products we use,” Riley said.
At the launch party, which was held at Wink Eyelash in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, Riley enlisted makeup artists to perform tutorials and dispense tips and guests were able to belly up to a makeup bar and try on products themselves.
Guests at the FSL Cosmetics launch party check out lipglosses and lipsticks. |
As the line’s founder, lead chemist and financier, Riley is keeping FSL tightly focused for now—but she has big plans.
“In the near future, I will create an entire color cosmetic collection for women, then develop a men's skin care line,” she concluded.
FSL’scollection of lipsticks and lip glosses ($18.50 each) are currently available online at the company’s website, www.fslcosmetics.com