This article appeared in The Examiner August 16, 2014 by Sarah Afshar
When it comes to creating a product, do you want to use something that is made with intention, integrity and love? If so, you are going to love Celtic Complexion, as every product is hand blended to meet your individual wants and needs. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Jennifer Devlin, who is not only the founder of this amazing brand, but an artisan skin care maker, as well. Here is what she had to tell me…
(Q) Hello Jennifer. How are you? Tell me more about the Celtic Complexion brand…
Hi Sarah, thanks for the opportunity to introduce your audience to Celtic Complexion. In this fast-paced world we live in, I think it’s nice to take a step back, and enjoy the journey. We pride ourselves on the old-world craftsmanship that goes into each product. Yes, our products are made with the finest ingredients, but they are also made with love, intention and integrity. Celtic Complexion is much more than a brand, it’s more like a family. As an artisan skincare maker, it’s not just my name on the label, it’s my reputation in the jar, and customers can feel that difference.
(Q) Let’s talk inspiration! What inspired you to create this brand? Tell me a little more about the inspiration behind Celtic Complexion…
I started working for the prestige brand cosmetic companies in the mid eighties and being young, I was easily impressionable. I believed everything and questioned nothing. I quickly worked my way up the cosmetic corporate ladder and ten years into my career, I became a Beauty Director for Nordstrom, and was exposed to and trained by every line on the cosmetic floor. Even though my bathroom looked like a mini Sephora, I didn’t have great skin. I suffered from rosacea and I would use my skills as makeup artist to conceal my skin because I was embarrassed by the redness. I just figured that it was my skin and not the products (because like many consumers, I thought “If it’s expensive, it must work!”)
Eventually, I met a holistic esthetician who educated me on the damaging and cumulative effects of synthetic chemicals, dyes and fragrances on my skin. I didn’t want to believe her because I was so loyal to the brands I worked for, but I ended up taking her advice and got off all commercial products and within two months, my skin completely changed. I had to admit, she was right. At that time, I had a great job, did what I loved and I genuinely thought I was helping people. I didn’t see the harm, but results don’t lie, so I had to make a decision. I quit my job, went back to school and got my esthetic license. I began experimenting with creating products early on (just for friends and family) but it took ten more years before I turned my passion into a business. We officially launched on St. Patrick’s Day 2011.
(Q) Currently, what are your most popular products? Tell me a little more about your best sellers…
That’s easy… Our top 3 sellers are; Calming Serum, because people that have rosacea have probably tried everything to calm the redness and when they find something that works, they stock up and tell their friends. Youth Infusion 7 High Potency Serum is a beauty editor favorite and gets the most press because it’s an anti-aging powerhouse. It’s made with ingredients that have been used safely for centuries and were once only available to wealthy aristocrats and traded like gold. Finally, Celtic Complexion Creme is a dream cream for people that suffer from dry skin and/or live in harsh/cold climates. We can’t make this fast enough in winter.
(Q) I love the idea that everything is natural, as well as, vegan-friendly. I also love that no animals were harmed when you created your products. What is your stance on animal testing?
Nothing is tested on animals (and honestly it still shocks me that this practice still goes on today).
(Q) Tell me a little more about this amazing Irish beauty festival that are attending for 2 weeks in the middle of August…
The majority of our customers have a Celtic complexion (Irish, Scottish, English heritage), so it was a natural tie-in with The Rose of Tralee Festival contestants. The Rose of Tralee International Festival is one of Ireland’s largest and longest running festivals, celebrating 55 years in 2014. The heart of the festival is the selection of the Rose of Tralee which brings young women of Irish descent from around the world to County Kerry, Ireland for a global celebration of Irish culture.
Celtic Complexion sponsored American Rose contestants from North Carolina, Texas, Chicago, Washington D.C., New York, Kentucky, Philadelphia and San Francisco. I made a promise to our home state Rose (North Carolina) Nancy Boyce that if she went on to the finals, we would go over to Ireland to support her in person. The preliminary event was in Ireland in May and they narrowed the world wide contestants to just 32. Out of the eight women we sponsored, five are moving on to the finals.
(Q) When someone approaches you and says “Your products have not only saved my skin, but have changed my life” what do you say? What are your thoughts when you hear this kind of feedback?
It’s very humbling. It’s an honor and a privilege to help people with their skin, because how someone feels about themselves radiates out to the world, so to me, it feels like a ripple effect. In the first two years of business, when I was navigating everything, and wondering if I was doing it right, it was those letters of gratitude that kept me going.
(Q) For all of the beauty enthusiasts reading this interview, what would you like them to know? What is next for Celtic Complexion?
People are conditioned to buy what they see most often. When you see something that is heavily advertised in magazines, TV, and billboards, it simply means the company has a huge advertising budget, which is something that small independent companies like ours cannot compete with. It does not mean they have a better product. I often refer to Celtic Complexion as the Greatest Skincare You’ve Never Heard Of, because once people try us and fall in love with their skin, they almost always say “how come I’ve never heard of you?”
I would also like them to know that skin care alone (even great skin care) is not a magic bullet for aging. It’s only one piece of the puzzle. What you eat, what you drink, how you manage stress, exercise, etc. all play major roles in how you age. Anyone who tells you differently is lying to you. The good news is, you are in complete control over how well you age. I’m am currently writing a book sharing my best holistic beauty tips to be released in January 2015.
I started off as a makeup artist, so I am really excited to be introducing the color collection this fall. It will consist of products that are multi-taskers; products that can be used for eyes, lips and cheeks. They are certified organic to USDA and NOP standards and are vegan, non-gmo, non-nano particle, carmine-free, gluten-free and of course cruelty-free.
For more information about Celtic Complexion, please visit www.celticcomplexion.com today.