If there is one thing we love, it's fun, affordable makeup. If there's one thing we hate, it's makeup packed with harsh, toxic chemicals that make us break out and fear for our future face. So it's no wonder we're huge fans of today's featured indie business, Mixology Makeup, a line of handcrafted, chemical-free mineral makeup.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work. Hi my name is Rae and I make vegan mineral makeup! Mixology Makeup is the healthy makeup alternative that will help improve the quality of your skin and give you a radiant look without damaging ingredients! NO cheap fillers, NO chemicals, NO synthetic dyes (the culprits for most allergic reactions), NO parabens, and NO preservatives. Vegan friendly, virtually water resistant, perfect for very sensitive skin, anti-inflammatory, great coverage for acne and rosacea, won't clog pores so your skin can breathe, natural SPF, light weight, and dry ingredients so bacteria does not grow (if kept dry). Bismuth and Carmine Free!

How did you get started creating makeup? I started in makeup when I was six years old. My babysitter was a makeup artist with all boys and NO girls! So, I got enlisted in makeup boot camp. I learned early how to put on my lip liner without a mirror -- try it; it's NOT easy. Eventually I was hooked and I continued in theatre and film and weddings and anything other event people would let me do makeup for! A few years back I looked into starting a makeup line and discovered that having a company make it and package it is very expensive and what I would have to sell it for, I wouldn't even buy. So I began the research and the learning process of making mineral makeup and Mixology was born! I also am a sensitive skin freak (I don't use that term lightly) and never wore foundations because it made me break out. This also spurred me on in my mineral makeup quest for something I could create to actually improve my skin! I am in love with what I do!

What inspires your work? Color mainly -- I will see something in a magazine that catches my eye and try to create it. Or I will be doing my own makeup and think "I really need to make a color like ..." Also my customers, they will request custom colors -- which I love because others think of things I do not and that inspires me to try and create what they are thinking!

Who are your favorite designers? I love Kate Spade! Vera Wang. And I love the up and coming designers on Project Runway, I just got to visit MOOD for the first time. ;)

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? Lip Balm! I have like twelve so there is one everywhere I go. A great carry all bag, right now its the Big Buddha Mail Bag -- LOVE IT! And of course my Natural Girl foundation, best mineral makeup coverage around ;)

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers or entrepreneurs? Love what you do! Always work on improving your line. Don't sell the house when you have a day or week without sales and always put your customers first, they help you become the company you want to be!

Where can people find your work? www.MixologyMakeup.etsy.com

Anything else? Random fact -- right now I am living in China doing some volunteer work.


We love all of the amazing independent designers out there and we wanted to find out more about what makes these creative types tick. If you do too, check out more of our Indie Designer Interviews.