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CLEAN BEAUTY EXPERT: KIRSTEN KJAER WEIS, FOUNDER OF KJAER WEIS

From growing up on a farm in Denmark to attending the prestigious Christian Chauveau School of Artistic Makeup, Kirsten Kjaer Weis worked around the world for some of the most renowned fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle, and Marie Claire. As an in-demand makeup artist, Kirsten found that people were sacrificing the health of their skin by using irritating, synthetic makeup. The natural products, however, were not up to par in performance, and the luxury of the beauty experience was lost. Kirsten used her experience growing up in a natural environment and her knowledge of beauty to pursue uncharted territory in the industry, creating Kjaer Weis – a pioneer in organic, luxury beauty.

What lead you to start Kjaer Weis?

I had worked for many years as a make-up artist in Europe and the US and saw firsthand the issues the models I was working on had with their skin from the conventional brands I had in my kit and applied on them daily. Breakouts, dry skin, red eyes. I tried to find natural counterparts to replace the conventional products but they didn’t really exist at that point (early 2000), which became my aha moment, seeing the gap in the market. Combining the performance of conventional with the ingredients profile of all-natural and tie it in with luxury packaging.

If you could explain Kjaer Weis…

Enlightened Beauty. Certified Organic, High Performing. Sustainable Luxury.

Do you strive to inspire others through Kjaer Weis?

I hope to inspire other female entrepreneurs to go for their passion.

What is your favorite part of working in the beauty industry? What is your least favorite?

I love to create, having an idea for a beauty product and seeing it come to life is very satisfying and a lot of fun. I also love assisting women in feeling beautiful and good about themselves without the potential of compromising their health. My least favorite? I don’t really have anything specific, yet I am happy to be part of a new area that steps away from the narrow perception of beauty that has been the norm for so many years. It’s changing and I love seeing it becoming a lot more inclusive.

What is the best piece of advice that anyone has ever given you?

Joseph Campbell is one of my favorite writers. He has a well known and wise quote from one of his books; Follow your bliss. That had an impact on me.

What is your goal through Kjaer Weis?

My goal is to grow KW to a Global Brand, allowing women around the world to have access to high performing, non-toxic make-up. Growing it in size while staying true to the DNA. My goal is also to change the norm of what’s acceptable to put in beauty products, having non-toxic make-up be a natural expectation for the next generations. Similar to how we take it for granted and fully accept that smoking is not allowed inside anymore.

What is your favorite indulgence?

Time. Finding time to have a massage, facial, read, be with my family, spend time in nature.

When it comes to your beauty routine, what is one item you can not live without?

Our Beautiful Oil. I love it, my skin loves it, it truly is beautiful.

Beyond Kjaer Weis, are there any mantras or rituals that help ground you when things get overwhelming?

Yes absolutely. Stay calm. Meditate and find that place where our wisdom sit’s, our authentic power where knee jerk reactions can’t exist. It’s essential to make (big) decisions from that place.

How do you like to wind down and make sure you’re taking care of yourself?

I live between NY and CT in the woods. Spending time in nature and be quiet does that for me.

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