Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin McIntyre.
Hi Kristin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Back in 2013, I had the honor of witnessing a spirited young woman create the #darkskinredlip challenge after a prominent figure in the music industry espoused the idea that only fair-skinned women could adorn their lips in red. This young woman, Karyn Washington (For Brown Girls), challenged women of color, particularly those with darker skin tones, to submit selfies wearing their favorite shade of red lipstick. Immediately a fire ignited, and I devoted myself to finding the perfect shade of red for my own skin. A year later, the creator of the #darkskinredlip challenge tragically passed away and my resolve to see a world where women of color could easily find lipstick that matched any of their shades was solidified.
After some deep soul searching, I went on to spend six years in the fashion industry and fell in love with the creative collaboration process make-up artists embarked on, which always culminated with an impactful lip. During my time in the industry and onset, I witnessed the limited and matchless options that mainstream retailers offered to women of color. Out of my passion for the fashion industry, the inspiration from the #darkskinredlip, and an obvious void in the market, Rufescent was born in 2020. I wanted to create a brand where anyone who has faced the challenges I’ve encountered would have no issue finding the perfect shades of red for their unique skin tone. Here we are, three years later holding true to that promise.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has definitely not been smooth, and we’ve hit a few bumps along the way. Like any new business, we were super green, lacking the basic business fundamentals. Additionally, I launched Rufescent in the middle of the pandemic, which set us back right out of the gate. In that same year, something beautiful and tragic happened. Small black-owned businesses were energized by the response to the BLM social justice movement, and we saw a surge in black startups that same year. The #buyblack movement would ultimately save us from failing before we even began.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
By day, I handle the day-to-day operations for Rufescent, and by night I am a wardrobe stylist/image consultant. I’m mostly known for collaborating on fashion and art-related projects with other phenomenal local creatives. This originally started out as an outlet for me, a form of escapism from my boring corporate gig. But because it’s not in my DNA to half-ass anything, I perfected my craft and eventually turned it into a solid business. I’d say I’m most proud of that. And truthfully, just being myself sets me apart from others. We’re all one of one.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rufescentlips.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rufescentlips/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rufescentlips/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rufescent/
Image Credits
Jessy J
