Not that long ago, ‘more is more’ make-up was the trend everyone was obeying. Taylor Frankel, who was 17 at this time, and her then 15-year-old sister Ally, didn’t buy it. They wanted to look like themselves, only better, and voiced these opinions to their beauty industry veteran mum – who created products for MAC as their chemical engineer – Jenny.
Together, the Canadians created Nudestix, a beauty brand designed to create a ‘no make-up, make-up look’ – basically, to keep you looking like you, just enhanced. Nudestix promises to change your life with its do-it-all pencils for the face eyes and lips, and here, 22-year-old Taylor tells their story to me. Prepare to purchase by the end of the interview (if anyone cares, I’m completely hooked on Nudies Matte Bronze in ‘Sunkissed’).
Welcome back to Dubai!
Thanks!
What do you love about the city when you visit?
Everything [laughs]! The shopping, the food….and I love the people in Dubai. Everyone is very welcoming and warm. And I love the weather – I come from Canada so anything to escape the cold I love [laughs].
Tell us about your new products…
We have Nudies Matte Blush in the shade ‘Sunset Strip’, which is a blush inspired by a tropical retreat. It’s all about beautiful, glowing skin. Then we have our new Matte Bronze called ‘Sunkissed’, created by global make-up artist Mary Phillips.
Finally, we have the Magnetic Nude Glimmers in ‘99% Angel’, ’24k Goddess’ and ‘Bronzi Babe’.
What would you love to launch next?
In summer we’re launching a new Nudies collection, called Nudies Blooms. This collection is all about a dewy blush for the eyes, cheeks and the lips. All shades are inspired by florals – hence the name – and one of the shades was created by Mary Phillips. We have another collaboration with Mary!
Anything else you can tease us with?
We’re also launching nude lip glosses, with one cherry colour. And then in autumn, we’re talking about complexion. Think foundation. Stay tuned.
Sounds busy. What are the highs and lows of running a business?
[Pause] the highs come from the interaction with our customers. When I hear first hand from our followers how much they love the products and how much the products have changed their lives – whether it’s a mum who says, “I have five minutes in the morning. I love your make-up because it makes me feel beautiful in an instant.” Or a teenage girl who says, “I love your make-up because it makes me feel confident in my own skin and I still feel like me.” It makes everything I do worthwhile, because you feel like you’re making a difference in somebody’s life.
And the lows?
The setbacks. You’re launching a new product, for example, and the manufacturer doesn’t prepare the product on time for the launch. But these are learning experiences, and I guess they are good problems to have because it means you have a functioning, running business.
Away from the business, what do you like to do in your down time?
My typical weekend is ordering UberEats and watching Netflix. I love Italian food, so I usually order pasta and pizza and watch Suits.
Sounds good to us. Tell us a beauty trick…
Having one product that does it all is the trick. Our Nudies Matte Blush is your eyeshadow, your lip colour and your blush. If I’ve just got off a long flight, and I want to look more alive [laughs], I take my Nudies Matte Blush and literally just apply it all over. It instantly makes you look more awake and fresh.
Finally, tell us a tip on how to feel more confident…
Wear make-up that makes you look like you, just better, and not like you’re a different person or wearing a mask. Take care of your body and make time for yourself, whether it’s going to the gym or seeing friends. I think when you have a balanced lifestyle you immediately feel more confident. You feel genuinely good and happy.
Nudestix is available to buy from Sephora Middle East and online at Sephora.ae
Still not had your fill of Taylor?
We feel the same. Here, the ultra-cool make-up master stars in Cosmopolitan Middle East‘s first episode of This Is How I Made It – a brand-new series where stars tell us how they reached their career goal.
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