We feel so late to the party when it comes to “discovering” Revolution Organics. This fashionable, eco-conscious, high performing color cosmetic line has been lauded everywhere from QVC to O Magazine.
But we figured, better late than never. Ringing up Melissa Shabinsky, half the genius behind the revolution, we asked what makes their eco so hot.
According to Melissa, she and partner, Alexandra Zanella, both beauty industry insiders, wanted to unleash a brand that didn’t yet exist – a high gloss, “it” beauty brand with a conscience.
“We wanted to create something different in the natural beauty space,” says Melissa. “We wanted to revolutionize how natural products are marketed and sold. Look at our packaging – we didn’t want a leaf on our labels. We’re appealing to the fashion conscious customer who wants to go green. That’s what our packaging is about. And yet, we’re as eco as you can get.”
With their sights set high, the women launched their first offering in 2008 – rich, luscious lip colors. The reasoning? Women usually go “green” with their lip color first. As Melissa says, “Women realize they’re eating this and want to make a change.” Their next big product launch was their 22+ All Over Balm, a multi-tasking, hair and body solid moisturizer stick. It sold out in Japan within hours of launch.
With that success, the duo decided to introduce a color counterpart to the All Over Balm called Freedom Glow Beauty Balm. This moisturizing stick, like the Body Balm, is loaded with organic oils and butters to nourish the skin while adding a burst of sheer color wherever you’d like – lips, eyelids, cheeks, etc. The Beauty Balm is a big seller for the brand.
Melissa believes all products today should address the needs of the modern woman. Besides muti-tasking, the Body and Beauty Balms meet TSA standards for travel. And if that’s not enough, Melissa pulls out the USDA Organic Certification. All of their products have it.
Oh, and did we mention that the packaging is printed on recycled FSC paper using vegetable based inks? Impressed yet?
Okay, all of this is wonderful. We love “healthy.” We love the earth. But we wanted to try the goods. Melissa sent us their top selling Freedom Glow Beauty Balm – all three colors. When we opened the first color, Blushed, we were afraid. It was the brightest pink we’d ever seen in our lives! But, to our surprise (and relief), the color is completely sheer. It imparted a lovely pink glow that was just right. The other shades were equally sheer and pretty. Okay, we’re hooked.
Alexandra & Melissa: photo by Michelle Valberg
We didn’t get to try the lip colors (hint, hint, Melissa), but several beauty junkies on our Facebook page told us they’re quite special, too.
Melissa says their brand gets so much customer and media attention because it was created to compete with the big guns – department store brands. “We never wanted women to be disappointed by the product because it’s natural,” Melissa shares. “And that was hard to do because natural pigments are difficult to work with.”
She says it was important to her and Alexandra that they raise the bar for natural. We’d say they did a good job.
Hi Megan,
I've not tried their lip gloss, but their Beauty Balm is on my list of top ten fave beauty products!
Revolution Organics is an absolutely fabulous line! The glosses are gorgeous and super hydrating too!