She’s been on HSN, featured in The New York Times and is a former journalist who can create punchy copy and sizzling ideas in her sleep. She has also won a Guinness Book of World Records for hosting the largest speed dating event in the world (at Hoboken’s W Hotel). Our expert of the week, Karen Robinovitz is like the feisty girl next door – but she cannot hide her creative genius and desire to create products that have already inspired and delighted millions of beauty afficionados.
The creatrix behind Purple Lab, Karen started her journey into the beauty booty world with the now insanely popular Huge Lips, Skinny Hips, which, she says, was born at a party because she knew she wanted a lipgloss that could help you shave off the pounds. Infused with hoodia, that slim little stick was created to eliminate that pesky “”ring around the waist,” that she so wanted to get rid of (and trust us, we are HOOKED; Red Sole, inspired by Christian Louboutin, is our favorite).
After the immense success of Huge Lips, Skinny Hips that come in so many delicious and almost fiction-worthy flavors from No Panty Lines to Worshop Kate (Karen loves Kate Moss), she debuted her much- anticipated arsenal of new beauty products on HSN. Her latest offerings include her creamy, almost country-eque Cheek Implants Blush, Lashionista Modelista (an efficient mascara and liner combo), Luvah lip stain and gloss combo compact (a travel MUST have), Luxury Squared (concealer and highlighter), Silk Sheets (foundation), and Pearlesque Show (a delicious, velvety silicone-based primer).
We caught up with the whirlwind fashionista in an inspired burst of a Q&A:
BeautyStat: What made you want to start Purple Lab?
Karen Robinovitz: The idea was born at a cocktail party, where I ate so much that after twenty minutes, I felt full and uncomfortable, like my pants were suddenly one size too small. I told my husband I had to go home and he was a little disappointed – we had been there for just 20 minutes. I jokingly said, “Well, if my lip gloss would plump my lips and not my hips, I wouldn’t be in this mess.” The light bulb in my head blinded me. What if there was a lip gloss with plumper and appetite suppressant? It would be my dream product. When I went to call a friend at a major makeup brand – I wanted her to make the product so I could buy it – my husband grabbed my phone and said, “YOU make this product. This is the start of your brand!” Two weeks later, I trademarked Purple Lab and “Huge Lips Skinny Hips,” which was our first product. I had no idea what I was doing but after asking around, I found a lab, who recommended a manufacturer for components. I joined a beauty organization so I could create a network of insiders who could guide me. And the rest is history.
BeautyStat: How do you remain so passionate about your vision all the time? What’s your secret?
KR: It’s my baby. You can’t get sick of your baby. If I did, what kind of mother would I be?
BeautyStat: Which beauty icons are you inspired by?
KR: My mother, Diane von Furstenberg through the decades, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lou Doillon, Veruschka, Cowboy Kate, the women in Pedro Almodovar films (they’re always so strong), Bianca Jagger, Iman.
BeautyStat: How can someone wear makeup in the summer? What’s the secret to it staying ON at all times?
KR: A good primer! Ours, which is called Pearlesque Show, is silicone-free and what so many women may not realize is that silicone and makeup are like oil and water so if you’re using a primer and it’s not 100% silicone-free, your make up will slip off throughout the day. Plus, it has plumping peptides and antioxidants and delicious skin care ingredients.
Cheek Implants in "Six Inch Heels"
BeautyStat: What products are tremendously popular from Purple Lab?
KR: That is like asking me which of my children is better! They all have their own unique place. Huge Lips Skinny Hips was the first so that is what we’re most known for. Our Cheek Implants cream blush with collagen and hyaluronic acid is divine. Luvah lip stain and gloss is sexy and satiny. Luxury Squared offers the most amazing highlighter with diamond dust and skin firmers, silk, and green tea extracts. I can go on! We’re in development now with a lot of new things that I can’t wait to share (though I can’t just yet).
HSN's "Runway in a Box" set offers great value
BeautyStat: If you could bring three things to a desert island, what would they be?
KR: My husband, at least one amazing pair of heels (sometimes, you just need to wear them, even on the sand), the ability to Skype my family if they can’t come play! I wouldn’t mind having every Hitchcock film and a working television to watch them on.
As if this were not enough inspiration to ask Karen a question, we are giving away THREE Cheek Implants Cream Blush in “Six Inch Heels.” All you have to do is ask Karen a question on BeautyStat’s Facebook page or enter a comment below to be considered. Winners will be picked by the end of this week. Good luck!
– Charu Suri
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