Newcomer to the market, vegan cosmetic line Velvet 59 is making it to the big leagues via a partnership with Ricky’s NYC. Early in 2016, Velvet 59 entered 10 Ricky’s NYC stores located in New York City and Miami in addition to its already highly successful partnership online.
 
The trendy beauty store will carry the full lineup of Velvet 59 products including Matte to the Max Liquid Lipsticks, Contour is a Girls Best Friend palette, The Exotic Lotus Palette, the brand’s full lipstick and lipgloss collection, as well as Velvet 59 My Fair Lashes Mascara. Its latest launch is a “hybrid palette” with all-in-one hues in rose metallics for eyes, lips and face. The shimmer kit hits stores on June 26.
 
This partnership is an expansion for Velvet 59, as it brings it into to the hands of a growing fan base by becoming available at brick-and-mortar stores along the East Coast. Fans can also go online for makeup tutorials or to Instashop.
 
The brand founded by Paris Manning was named one of Oprah’s “favorite things” in January 2015.
 
Raised by makeup industry veterans, the 23-year old is no stranger to the beauty business. Originally from England, she now resides in upstate New York where she has researched and refined a revolutionary approach to maximizing long-wear and pigment while minimizing her footprint on the planet. 
 
“I’ve been raised around the makeup industry my entire life. My family owned cosmetics stores that supplied makeup artists in the UK,” Manning told Happi. “From the time I was two years old, my sisters used me as their little model and sat me on their bed to do my makeup and hair. I always wanted to be in the cosmetics industry but do something unique.” 
 
On both sides of The Pond, Manning grew up watching Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe and many other classic beauties. False lashes, winged liner and painted lips inspired this young entrepreneur as “everything was about glamour and looking their best.”
 
According to Manning, what makes Velvet 59 products different from competitive products are specialty components.
 
“Our products have unique ingredients, incredible packaging and unbelievable color payoff. Velvet 59 also sources beneficial ingredients never before used in cosmetics such as sacha inchi oil in the Matte to the Max Liquid Lipstick. This 100% extra virgin seed oil is native to the Amazon Rainforest and has been a part of Amazonian life for many generations. This translates to ongoing support for rural Amazonian communities. This is both a powerful skin treatment and a potent anti-aging ingredient,” she told Happi.
 
Ultimately, “people want a product that is not just good for the body but good for the planet and good for the greater community,” said Manning.