Welcome to Clean Beauty Spotlight, where I showcase clean beauty brands. So what is clean? It’s an umbrella term currently used in the beauty industry that means vegan, organic, natural, green, and sustainable. I had the pleasure of trying some of the products by the clean beauty brand Double Down Cosmetics. I loved the vibrancy of the shades and the names that play up a diverse melanated bipoc culture. As I dove deeper into learning about the brand I discovered some beautiful behind-the-brand jewels! Double Down Cosmetics is a husband and wife mission-driven venture influenced and inspired by Cape Verde Africa via Los Angeles California.
Karim Orange: What made you launch a clean makeup line?
Kristine Speller: We noticed that there were very few highlighters in the clean beauty space for certain skin tones. We also wanted to create lip balms, we felt represented the unique pigments in our lips.
K.O: I know that Double Down Cosmetics is Mission Driven. Can you share the story behind this?
K.S: Absolutely! Through our Glam Up program, we donate cosmetics and resources to domestic violence survivors and unhoused women in Los Angeles California. We hope that this plays a part in helping to raise self-esteem, and show them that they are worthy.
K.O: That is an amazing mission! Why did you choose domestic violence?
K.S: I am a survivor of domestic violence. Makeup and turtlenecks allowed me to cover bruises and keep my job, since my husband at the time was not working.
K.O: I know that you Double Down Cosmetics in a joint venture with you and your husband Marvin. What is that like?
K.S: I love my husband and working with him has been a dream come true! He is the operational force and I am the creative one. He also understands color and how makeup can change your life!
K.O: What products can brides use on their big day for a dramatic wedding makeup look?
K.S: For a dramatic wedding look, we have the most black pigmented eyeshadow called The Control. The Statement Blush doubles as a bronzer, and our best-selling highlighter, The Status and our Lip Balm in The Future. All of these would look great on a dramatic bride.
K.O: If you could see 3 celebrity women wearing your products, who would it be. What collections would they wear?
K.S:
Anika Noni Rose- The Ancestral Collection
Mary J. Blige- The Phoenix Raising Up Collection
Queen Latifah-The Future Collection X Medeaij
K.O: I love the new collection inspired by Cape Verde. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration?
K.S: The Ancestral Collection started last year as we wanted to reflect our Cape Verdean Independence Day on July 5th. We reflected back to our revolutionary with Amílcar Cabral, who fought for the reconstruction of our nation, from the Português Genocide. He fought day in & day out for the Africa Independence of Guinea & Cape Verde. It was also inspired by my late mother and a flag she made with our new Cape Verdean Flag, which is red, white, blue & yellow.. We wanted to reflect the unification of colors and culture.
