When I first got into makeup, I experimented with some of the now cringe-worthy trends of the early 2000s. Fast forward to today, and I’ve managed to fill my bathroom cabinets with more makeup than any one person could actually need. And while my skills aren’t Instagram-worthy just yet, I can appreciate finding a new beauty line as much as the next beauty junkie. So when I stumbled upon an Austin makeup brand last year, it got me thinking. What other Austin makeup brands are out there?
1/ Jentri Quinn Makeup + Skin
Founder and creator, Jentri Quinn, started her makeup brand with a mission: to create a product perfect for people suffering from severe skin conditions and diseases. The goal was to not only create something to combat dehydrated skin, but to provide protection, and help women feel confident and beautiful.
Jentri Quinn Makeup + Skin was created to moisturize your skin and make it healthy (Credit: Jentri Quinn)
All the products in the Jentri Quinn Makeup + Skin line have natural and vegan ingredients that aid in healing and maintaining moisture, such as antioxidants and hyaluronic acid.
With a motto like “Foundation is everything,” Quinn means serious business. She offers coverage for everything, from a no-makeup look, to coverage that would get you through a photoshoot. Keep an eye out for more fun things in the future, such as an olive oil-based skincare line, and a lip bar where you can customize the color to your liking. Personally, I can’t wait for this bar because I’d love to have my own one-of-a-kind lip color.
You can find Jentri Quinn Makeup + Skin at The Domain in Cotone Clothing + Beauty Bar, where you might run into Quinn herself and any of her four dogs that sometimes visit.
3220 Amy Donovan Plaza, Suite 124 – Website
2/ Gourmande Girls
Gourmande Girls eyeshadow palettes are rich and pigmented for a blast of color (Credit: Gourmande Girls)
Gourmande Girls was created by Christina Martin, who wanted to give customers luxurious cosmetic products that are cruelty-free and affordable.
All the products from this Austin makeup brand are very rich and pigmented, meaning you’ll get the most out of the colors you’re purchasing. Some eye shadow palettes, like the super sparkly Diamond Pressed Glitter, will have your lids dazzling in high-def. The matte lipsticks are also gorgeous and must-try.
Unfortunately, Gourmande Girls is not available in stores. But the company does have a website where you can check out its product line.
3/ Elevé Cosmetics
Elevé Cosmetics just opened a brick-and-mortar located in South Austin (Credit: Elevé Cosmetics)
Disappointed by harsh ingredients in many makeup brands, Gertie Wilson decided to create her own line that would be beautiful and healing to the skin. After years of research, she launched Elevé Cosmetics in 2015.
Elevé Cosmetics is all-natural and vegan-based. Each product is full of antioxidants, peptides, and anti-aging ingredients that help enhance your beauty.
I’ve loved playing around with Elevé products–they’re all so high-quality! The lip products are all named after cities and bodies of water (Lady Bird Lake is one). The new Rose Gold liquid highlighter is absolutely divine. I swear, you can do no wrong with that color. And they have a cool product called Eyeliner Sealer that you can mix with your fave eye shadow to create a liquid eyeliner.
Elevé Cosmetics just opened its first store in south Austin, off Brodie and Davis Lane. While you shop, you can sip on some bubbly from the champagne bar, and use a fun camera mirror to see how the makeup looks on you without actually putting it on. Plus, the storefront is way cute and just perfect for Insta photos.
8916 Brodie Lane, Suite 500 – Website
4/ Rae Cosmetics
Rochelle Rae, founder of Rae Cosmetics, maintained an active life that required long-lasting makeup products. She also struggled with skin conditions other women have to work around, such as oily skin, acne, and skin allergies. So she came up with a solution and launched her makeup line in 2005. It was designed to be gentle on the skin, but also long-lasting and melt-proof.
All of Rae Cosmetics products are mineral-based, cruelty-free, and full of nutrients. The mineral powder is water-resistant, so it won’t smear after exercising at the gym or standing outside in the summer heat for more than a few minutes.
Rae Cosmetics works to be environmentally-friendly by using recycled packaging for products. The Austin makeup brand also avoids excess paper waste by printing any necessary information, such as ingredients, directly onto the product’s container.
You can check out Rae Cosmetics online or at Rae Cosmetics Studio downtown on 2nd Street. It’s both a makeup store and a salon!
237 W. 2nd St. – Website
➡ Keep reading: 10 Socially Responsible Companies to Support in Austin
5/ RIMIX Cosmetics
RIMIX Cosmetics was designed to withstand the Texas heat and humidity (Credit: RIMIX Cosmetics)
RIMIX Cosmetics founder, Rianna Alberty, understands the scorch of Texas summers. Growing up here, she knows firsthand how difficult it is to work with makeup in this climate. She was inspired to create a line that would combat the dangerous sun rays and last throughout your work day or special event.
The brand creates each product with skin-perfecting ingredients, so everything goes on smooth and even. With a flawless look and long-lasting formulas, your makeup will be on point all day long (even when you feel like your face is melting off).
You can find a full-service RIMIX Beauty Bar inside Bella Salon near downtown, and products can be found at several locations in Austin. You can view the entire location list on the website.
1221 W. 6th St. – Website
@theAustinot wants to know:
Have you tried any Austin makeup brands?
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