Wednesday, December 20, 2017

A Look at Parabens and Their Use in Cosmetics


The founder and CEO of theBalm Cosmetics, Marissa Shipman possesses more than a decade of experience in the cosmetics industry and develops her own line of cruelty-free products. Marissa Shipman’s company also carries products free of the preservative paraben, an ingredient that has contributed to consumer concern over the years. 

One of the most widely used preservatives in personal care products, paraben prevents the growth of harmful mold and bacteria. Paraben comes in several forms; those most commonly found in cosmetic and personal care products include propylparaben, methylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben. Some products may carry multiple types of paraben in order to offer further protection against a variety of microorganisms. Products containing parabens range from shampoos and lotions to makeup and shaving cream. 

Concern about the use of parabens began in 2004 after a British cancer study found paraben present in malignant breast cancer tumors. Additionally, parabens contain an agent with properties similar to estrogen, a hormone linked to the growth of breast cancer cells. Critics of the study note that paraben’s estrogen properties are weak and the amount used in products is at low levels; however, watchdog groups remain concerned about the body possibly storing paraben over time. 

With no conclusive evidence of paraben’s harmful effects, the Federal Drug Administration poses no special rules on its use in cosmetics. The FDA does require all companies to accurately label their products and gives clear instructions on its safe use, allowing concerned citizens to seek alternatives to products containing paraben.

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Project Glimmer Birthday Donations


An accomplished entrepreneur, Marissa Shipman functions as the CEO of theBalm Cosmetics, which she established in San Francisco. Outside of her work, Marissa Shipman regularly contributes to charitable organization and serves on the Board of Project Glimmer.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Project Glimmer strives to inspire and boost the self-confidence of young women through gifts. The gifts, which are all provided to at-risk women, include a variety of beauty and makeup products that are acquired through fundraising efforts such as Glimmer Drives and birthday donations.

Birthday donations for Project Glimmer are month-long fundraising drives designed to recruit the help of family and friends. The program makes use of web-based resources and tools that include templates, custom donation pages, and automated alerts. Moreover, the program’s web-based platform raises awareness and encourages others to donate their birthday month. To date, fundraising through birthday donations and other programs have helped the organization provide more than 200,000 gifts across 30 states.

Friday, October 13, 2017

San Francisco - A Solid Match for Cosmetics Companies


Longtime entrepreneur Marissa Shipman serves at the CEO of theBalm Cosmetics, which she established in 2004 after creating a lip-plumping balm in her kitchen that she sold in Sephora cosmetics stores. In 2014, Marissa Shipman, who now sells her products in at least 60 countries, launched her first brick-and-mortar location for theBalm Cosmetics at her headquarters in San Francisco, a popular city for premier cosmetic brands.

In addition to theBalm Cosmetics, San Francisco is home to other world-renowned cosmetic brands like Bare Escentuals and Sephora. Additional Bay Area brands include Benefit Cosmetics, Kryolan, and Purity Cosmetics. MAC Cosmetics also has locations in the area.

San Francisco is a popular home for cosmetics companies for several reasons. A health and animal rights conscious location, it is a good match for companies that do not test on animals and are free of parabens. Additionally, it’s shown to be an attractive destination for shoppers seeking trendy options and beauty-based products.

Monday, September 25, 2017

Tulane University’s Century-Old Theater Program


A former television producer in New York City, Marissa Shipman founded theBalm Cosmetics, where she serves as CEO. Under her leadership, theBalm has grown into a global company with products sold in over 100 countries worldwide. Prior to launching her career, Marissa Shipman attended Tulane University and earned a bachelor of arts in theater. 

Founded by Dr. Monroe Lippman over 110 years ago, Tulane University’s undergraduate theater program is designed for students who want to pursue careers or advanced studies in acting, directing, stage design, or entertainment production. The program gives students the opportunity to perform and develop their craft in front of a live audience. 

Tulane University oversees several performance spaces, including the Albert Lupin Memorial Theatre, Dixon Hall, and Theatre Lab. Performing arts students at Tulane also have access to fully equipped costume and scene shops for university productions. 

During the 2017-2018 season, Tulane will present productions of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, The Bald Soprano, and Clytemnestra. Each year, the university also hosts the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane. The 2017 festival featured The Taming of the Shrew, The Tempest, and Twelfth Night.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Apply Flawless Eye Makeup with Eye Primer


Marissa Shipman serves as the founder and CEO of theBalm Cosmetics, a cruelty-free makeup brand based in San Francisco. Collaborating with her team, Marissa Shipman works to develop new products that meet the cosmetics needs of her customers, such as theBalm’s Put a Lid on It eye primer. 

Eye primer is a liquid- or cream-based product that is used to create a smooth base over which to apply eye makeup. When applied correctly, eye primer also absorbs excess oils on the eyelid and evens out its natural color.

Vibrant eyeshadows, when applied directly onto the eyelid, often lose some of their impact and appear dull. Over the course of the day, they can also collect in creases on the eyelid, creating dark or uneven areas. When eye primer is used, however, these problems are virtually eliminated.

Eye primer should be applied in a thin layer with a concealer brush across the eyelid, all the way up into the brow line. The primer should be allowed to dry for a couple of minutes, creating a clean canvas upon which shadows, liners, and brow products can be applied with minimal effort.

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

theBalm Cosmetics’ Meet Matt(e) Hughes Lip Products


A graduate of Tulane University, Marissa Shipman has taken the beauty industry by storm in her role as founder and chief executive officer of theBalm Cosmetics. Throughout her daily work at her company, Marissa Shipman oversees numerous company operations, including the development of new product ideas.

One of theBalm’s most popular product offerings is its Meet Matt(e) Hughes line, which features an array of vibrant liquid lipsticks. Each shade dries to a matte finish, which ensures that it will last throughout the entire day without fading.

The original Meet Matt(e) Hughes line boasted 12 stunning shades, ranging from the hot pink Sentimental to the deep red Adoring. More recently, theBalm complemented these offerings by releasing six additional shades. Customers can now choose from two additional nudes, one vibrant pink, a stunning red, and two mauves.

For those who are looking to try more than one shade from its Meet Matt(e) Hughes line, theBalm offers a limited edition six-pack of mini liquid lipsticks. This kit features all of the company’s latest additions to the line, thus enabling makeup lovers to discover their newest favorites.

Monday, April 17, 2017

What Does Paraben-Free Mean?





Entrepreneur and business owner Marissa Shipman earned a bachelor of arts degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Marissa Shipman then went on to found theBalm Cosmetics in San Francisco, California, and serves as the firm’s chief executive officer.

Founded in 2004, theBalm Cosmetics beauty company promotes a “beauty in five minutes” philosophy. The business, which operates globally, offers products that include a complete line of makeup as well as skin care, hair care, and nail polish products. All articles manufactured by theBalm Cosmetics are cruelty-free, talc-free, and paraben-free. 

Paraben-free products contain no parabens, which are chemical compounds formed by alcohol and acid. Chemically known as esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, parabens are used as preservatives in a wide range of personal care products. Currently, the most common parabens are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. Today's savvy consumers are looking for paraben-free products in many retail categories.