Happi and a bevy of beauty fans got behind and in front of the cosmetic scene with chemist, makeup artist, skin care expert and author Ginger King at Lord & Taylor, Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ last month. King conducted makeovers on eager guests with a variety of high-end foundations, concealers, liners and more.
 
For King, beauty is her life as she grew up in the Shiseido boutique—literally! Her mom opened up the first Shiseido location in Taiwan.
 
“When I came to America at age 16, I felt in love with the power of makeup and wanted to become a makeup artist,” said King. “This thought was quickly banished as I was expected to go to college and earn advanced degrees. Thus, I became a cosmetic chemist!”
 
While going to college, King worked for Elizabeth Arden, Estée Lauder and Clinique at the counter. Since then, she has developed hundreds of products from hair care to skin care, and sun care to color cosmetics. Some of her most famous products include Joico Ice Spiker, Freeze 24.7 Ice Shield and the Avon Advance Techniques Color Protection series, to name a few.  King’s Avon True Color Eye shadow and Daring Definition Mousse Mascara were also selected as the finalists for Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) awards for 2005 and 2006, respectively. King also holds several patents in cosmetic formulations.
 
“Making people look beautiful is still my joy,” she said. “As you can see, I love every aspect of beauty.”
 
Earlier this year, King launched a skin care line, Investing in Beauty. The hero product, which rolled out in March, is a three-in-one SKU. Investing In Beauty Firming Eyes, Face & Neck Therapy ($34.99, sold at www.investinginbeauty.com) is formulated with 98% naturally derived ingredients and 70% certified organic ingredients. The key drivers of this products are peptides, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, vitamin C and a full list of healing botanicals and moisturizing fruit extracts.
 
“It is your eye therapy, face therapy and neck therapy…a triple action, three in one!” she said. “Smoother, softer and well-hydrated skin can be felt immediately. Use three pumps a day for your skin success.”
 
At press time, King is also expanding her cosmetic product development business, Grace Kingdom Beauty, which takes beauty ideas beyond concept to counter.
 
“It’s all about the ‘wow’ factor for repeat sales,” said King.
 
More info: www.gracekingdombeauty.com