Here at Corduroy, we love things that are sleek, simple and not so overly designed. It’s even better when the products are backed with a fresh philosophy and personal story. So when we came across Noir Cosmetics in Canada last month, we couldn’t wait to share it with the readers. We sent Meredith Mulligan to find out more about the company that’s bringing back black, and to score some goodies for a few lucky readers. Read on…
Caroline Cohen isn’t afraid of the color black. Black in the LBDs she wears to work. Black in the mascara she swipes over her lashes. Black in the cosmetics line she created, because “black is always en vogue,” she says; ”it is always here to stay.” And that’s why Noir Cosmetics defines the future in chic, wearable eye makeup.
“I kind of wanted to mirror the Little Black Dress transposed into the world of cosmetics,” says the Montreal-based ingénue, who transformed her frustration in finding the perfect black eyeliner into this niche beauty concept. She founded the line based on the idea of the perfect black eyeliner. Her fascination with perfecting Noir into a quality business boasting products with a multitude of precise attributes –waterproof, smudge-proof, light, dark –resulted in 13 skus of liner, mascara, eye shadow and lining accessories.
Cohen, who is the first to admit her strengths lie in business marketing, comes from a family of beauty fanatics; her mother is a beauty advisor, her sister is a professional beauty artist and her father is an innovator in the beauty industry. That might be why Noir is so successful. Without the usual rainbow of colors to choose from, Cohen looked to practicality and simplicity in shaping these eye products. “Our products were conceived and developed to be as easy in application as possible. We made an effort in calculating the length in handles of brushes to determine what is easiest to grip to make that perfect black line,” explains Cohen. And, with a following of 15 to 50 year-olds, Noir proves that black is the perfect compliment to anyone’s look.
Eventually, Noir will introduce new mascaras with different brushes and gels, and you just might see them experiment with brow gels and tools. But for now, Noir remains streamlined, the ideal product for drawing the perfect black line. As Cohen reminds us, “black is always in fashion, always classic, always sophisticated.”
Noir Cosmetics is available online at noircosmetics.com or by calling 1-866-760-NOIR. Corduroy readers can win one of three Noir Cosmetics gift bags! Be one of the first three people to email us at info@corduroymag.com with your mailing address and the names of five people featured in our latest issue. Use subject line “Noir Cosmetics Giveaway.” Good luck!
- Meredith Mulligan
