We are excited to welcome pioneer of the clean beauty movement and the Founder of RMS Beauty, Rose-Marie Swift, to The Style That Binds Us podcast. During her makeup artist days, Rose-Marie worked with Louis Vuitton, Victoria’s Secret, Max Mara, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren as well as Miranda Kerr, Gisele Bündchen, Paloma Picasso, Tilda Swinton, Zoe Saldana and Adriana Lima and top photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Patrick Demarchelier to name a few. We have loved RMS Beauty’s products for years, and can’t wait to hear all about Rose-Marie’s career as a celebrity makeup artist, what led her to start RMS Beauty, top skincare & makeup tips and more. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

We learned so much from our conversation with Rose-Marie.

What sets her and RMS Beauty apart (besides the fact that she is close with Gisele, who is the only one allowed to call her “Rosie”!) is her career- long dedication to clean and natural beauty products, which she put in place long before most other brands had considering do so. Her cosmetics line focuses on using organic and non-toxic ingredients to create makeup and skincare items that are both effective and safe for the skin. RMS Beauty products are known for their minimalistic and eco-friendly packaging and are free from harmful chemicals commonly found in many conventional cosmetics.

Rose-Marie Swift’s advocacy for clean beauty and her dedication to creating high-quality natural products have made her a prominent figure in the clean beauty movement. Her brand, RMS Beauty, continues to be popular among those seeking non-toxic alternatives in the beauty industry. Clean beauty is a term used to describe beauty products and cosmetics that are formulated with ingredients that are considered safe, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly.

Key principles of clean beauty include:

1. Non-Toxic Ingredients: Clean beauty products are typically free from harmful chemicals, such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and artificial dyes. They aim to use natural or organic ingredients whenever possible.
2. Transparency: Brands that adhere to clean beauty principles often prioritize transparency in their product labeling. They provide clear information about the ingredients used and their sourcing.
3. Environmentally Friendly: Clean beauty brands often emphasize sustainability and environmentally responsible practices, such as using eco-friendly packaging and supporting cruelty-free and vegan product options.
4. Ethical and Safe Practices: Clean beauty advocates for ethical and safe manufacturing processes, including fair labor practices and avoiding animal testing.
5. Health-Conscious: Clean beauty products are created with a focus on promoting overall skin health and wellness, often incorporating nourishing and beneficial natural ingredients.

It’s important to note that the term “clean beauty” is not regulated by a standardizing body or authority, so interpretations of what constitutes clean beauty can vary among brands and consumers. Individuals interested in clean beauty products should carefully read ingredient labels, research brands, and determine which specific criteria are most important to them in their skincare and beauty routines.

While clean beauty has many advantages, it’s not without its criticisms and challenges:

1. One of the most significant criticisms of clean beauty is the lack of a standardized definition or regulation for the term. This means that different brands may have varying interpretations of what constitutes “clean.” The absence of clear standards can lead to confusion for consumers and potential greenwashing, where products are marketed as clean but may not meet stringent criteria.
2. Clean beauty products often avoid synthetic preservatives, which can lead to shorter shelf lives and an increased risk of contamination and bacterial growth. This can impact the safety and effectiveness of products over time.
3. Some natural ingredients used in clean beauty products can still cause allergies or sensitivities in certain individuals. It’s essential for consumers to be aware of potential allergens and perform patch tests when trying new products.
4. The avoidance of certain synthetic ingredients can limit the formulation options for clean beauty products. Some consumers may find that clean alternatives do not perform as effectively or may not provide the same long-lasting results as conventional products.
5. High-quality natural and organic ingredients can be more expensive to source and incorporate into products, which can drive up the cost of clean beauty items. This pricing may make clean beauty less accessible to some consumers.
6. Clean beauty products may not always be the best choice for specific skincare concerns, such as severe acne or dermatological conditions that require medical-grade treatments.
7. While clean beauty products often prioritize sustainable packaging and ingredient sourcing, some argue that the emphasis on using natural ingredients can lead to overharvesting of certain plants or contribute to environmental challenges.
8. There’s a perception that “natural” automatically equals “better” in clean beauty, which may not always be the case. Some synthetic ingredients can be safe, effective, and more sustainable than their natural counterparts.

For these reasons, it is important to approach clean beauty with a critical and informed perspective. Consumers should research brands, read ingredient lists, and consider their individual needs and preferences. Additionally, they should be aware that the term “clean beauty” is not universally defined, so it’s essential to understand what criteria a particular brand follows when using this label.

We are very diligent in doing our homework before recommending brands and products to you. We created “The Style Standard” for this purpose.

Alison’s current favorite RMS products include:

What It Is:

A clean and smudge-free mascara that delivers 12 hours of full lift and volume while it nourishes lashes.

What Makes It Special:

RMS explains that a pro peptide helps strengthen, revitalize, and thicken, and they have an exclusive tri-locking system that creates smudge-free, flake-free long wear. I love how my lashes look really long, but not like I have on too much mascara- some others I have tried look clumpy and messy, like I applied the mascara in a moving car without a mirror!

The other current can’t-live-without product for Alison is:

What It Is:

A silicone-free, clean-powered, radiance enhancing primer.

What’s the big deal about silicones?

Silicones form a protective barrier on the skin’s surface. While this can help to lock in moisture and create a smooth canvas for makeup application, it can also trap dirt, oil, and other impurities if not properly removed, potentially leading to breakouts or skin congestion. Silicone-based makeup products can feel heavier or greasier on the skin compared to other alternatives. This sensation may not be comfortable for everyone, especially those with oily or acne-prone skin. Silicones are not water-soluble, which means they may require more thorough cleansing to remove completely. Failing to do so could result in residual product buildup on the skin.

This primer is formulated with skin-firming Tightenyl™, moisture-rich vegetable squalane, hyaluronic acid and eggplant fruit extract, this gel-textured primer visibly smooths the skin’s appearance and leaves skin looking radiant while allowing makeup to apply flawlessly. innovative, refillable package.

Alison also likes how the brand is transparent about sustainability. This product’s detailed are listed as “Plastic component is 50% PCR and refillable. Outer carton made of 80% post consumer recycled paper and vegetal ink. Inner bottle is made of 50% PCR with an aluminum overshell that is 10% recycled aluminum. Outer carton made of 80% post consumer recycled paper, forestry certified, made with windpower”. Certainly makes one feel like they are helping the planet a little just by choosing RMS!

The next products Alison hopes to try is the Living Luminizer, which was created on set to use on models for a subtle glow, which won the Elle Approved Award for The World’s Best Beauty Products, and the ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush, which won the Self magazine 2022 Beauty Award for Best Powder Blush.

Delia’s favorite product at the moment is the RMS Beauty Oil. She says she loves it because it works well as the only product she puts on her face in the morning before applying her makeup, but it can also be used as a complement to any beauty routine. It absorbs quickly and feels light, but is made from a super-concentrated blend of organic jojoba, rosehip and wildcrafted buriti oils and rare herbal extracts… sounds divine!

A big career in beauty was never part of Rose-Marie Swift’s plan; she just wanted to buy a microphone for her rock band. To pay for it, she worked in burlesque clubs in Vancouver, British Columbia, painting the faces of the dancers. She learned she had a talent for it, and after filling in on a local magazine shoot, the accidental makeup artist started trotting the globe for Louis Vuitton and Victoria’s Secret ad campaigns, and Vogue and W fashion features. Along the way, a series of ailments—hair and memory loss, anxiety, and insomnia—slowed her down, so she detoxed her life of potentially harmful chemicals, eating mostly raw, organic foods, and in 2005 began mixing her own natural makeup.

Models loved her formulas, and four years later she launched RMS Beauty, a clean line made from ingredients like cold- pressed, certified-organic coconut oil and adaptogenic herbs (with no preservatives). “I wanted them to be almost edible,” she says of her moisturizing lip, cheek, and concealer shades; soothing oils; and luminizers that leave skin looking kissed by candlelight. Her line’s packaging is as easy on the environment as the formulas are on skin.

Try RMS Beauty: