Renata Helfman | Founder of Lipstick Angels
As a makeup artist herself, Renata was inspired by the impact her grandmother's beauty routine had on preserving her self-identity while going through the harsh effects of treatment. The Lipstick Angel's services were then created to bring relief, education, and support for the whole person - mind, body, and soul.
Read on to learn more about Renata's holistic skincare rituals and the vision behind this incredible organization.
Q&A WITH RENATA HELFMAN, FOUNDER OF LIPSTICK ANGELS:
Q: What’s your hyphenated title? (Ex: Mother - Entrepreneur - Chef)
A: Entrepreneur-Nonprofit Founder & Director-Clean Beauty Fanatic
Q: Tell us a bit more about your background as a makeup artist!
A: I started doing makeup in my 20s! I was so blessed in my early career, I had the honor of working with the “greats” like Annie Leibovitz, Richard Avedon, Norman Jean Roy, etc… But for me the true love was the simplicity of how, with just a few strokes and the right colors, you could bring a person's face to life. Watching someone's face light up, especially from within, was the true gift.
Q: What is one little thing that you do for yourself that makes you feel good everyday?
A: Giving myself the opportunity to truly be in the moment.
Q: What is a key part of your daily wellness ritual (either morning or night)?
A: Well my shower is truly a party! I love having all my new and usual suspects in there. Body scrub, face masks, body oil you name it, it is in there! Someone once gave me the best advice: wash the day off. I would say I am more of an evening shower girl because of that.
Q: Would you say you are a beauty minimalist or maximalist?
A: I am a great editor of life in general, but when it comes to beauty I cannot get enough. I would for sure put myself in the maximalist category.
Q: What’s your most important beauty secret and who did you learn it from?
A: I am a “mixologist”. I think of my vanity as a laboratory. Layering and mixing products and texture is my secret weapon (and it's fun). I am a self-taught beauty junkie.
Q: What on-the-go products do you always have in your purse?
A: Tata Harper Lip and Cheek Tint in Naughty and Popular, W311 People Narcissist Foundation Stick, I also always have a face mist that i constantly use throughout the day.
Q: Tell us more about how you got started with Lipstick Angels.
A: I started Lipstick Angels with the simple desire to give back. When I went in search of an organization to volunteer my time with, i was shocked to find out it really didn't exist. I had the honor of helping my grandmother when she lost her hair, eyebrows, eyelashes etc… She was a true warrior.
When we would drive to her radiation appointments she would always have her lipstick on, a smile on her face and a game plan for where we were getting coffee after.
I think of her and how much she would have loved Lipstick Angels everyday.
ALL ABOUT LIPSTICK ANGELS:
This organization is comprised of a group of giving and generous Angels (i.e., make up artists and estheticians) who go into hospitals to provide complimentary, personalized skincare and beauty services at patient's bedside or while they are receiving chemotherapy infusions. The Lipstick Angels offer some much needed relief and support during their medical treatments, providing spa-like luxury care through relaxing facials, beautiful aromas, and moisturizing bursts of lip and cheek color.
We are delighted to work with this incredible charity and share our 100% natural, nontoxic products. Dedicated to providing skincare products that deliver beautiful results, while being incredibly gentle and soothing for compromised skin, we can safely assure patients that there will be no harsh side effects or irritations during their services.
As one patient who met a Lipstick Angel during her treatment described, these products brought joy into the experience.
"Thank you Lipstick Angels AND Tata Harper, you have made my day in the cancer infusion center somehow joyful. I feel like MYSELF again. - Amber"
It is a gift to know that each ingredient in Tata's products can be part of the healing of the many patients facing cancer and its treatment. And that this gift can bring dignity, joy and beauty.
THE POWER OF NATURAL PRODUCTS:
Chemotherapy can be draining on the skin, and our range of hydrating treatments, such as ultra-rich Crème Riche, have been described as a hero product for stressed, post-treatment skin. Another staple of the Lipstick Angels beauty kit is the Resurfacing Mask for its abilities to spark an inner and outer glow.
"You have changed my life!! I was stuck in the house, not wanting to go outside anymore because I look so pale. Now, with the Tata Harper facial treatment and makeup, I am glowing! Thank you for helping me FEEL again! - Padma"
When asked about a favorite product, the Lipstick Angels all said they are so, so in love with the Lip & Cheek Tints. These tints provide a great pop of color and are easy to use as a multi-functional product in the facial services.
"The Lipstick Angels came in with their Tata Harper products: wonderful scents, a relaxing facial, and some lip and cheek color - i just felt so much better at the end of my treatment. Thank you from the bottom of my heart - Jackie"
