I believe in Karma, and in the truth behind “what goes around comes around.” Apparently so does Erin Williams, founder of Erin’s Faces Cruelty-Free Beauty Line. What seems like eons ago (it was actually 2008), she was running an email list-serv in Manhattan to put niche beauty brands in touch with amazing freelancers for in-store support. It was a fabulous idea, and thanks to her I met many amazing freelancers that worked with Alchimie, some of whom have since become celebrity makeup artists! I never actually had the change to meet her – but knew that our paths would cross and that one day I would be able to thank her, and do something to show my gratitude.
The Universe complied. In late August, at the Independent Beauty Expo (created by another amazing woman, Jillian Wright, who you will be reading about on this blog soon), our paths finally crossed. Her fiery red hair and amazing smile are even better in person than in the photos I had seen of her. We met like two long-lost friends, shared industry stories, and I was able to thank her for her help, all these years ago.
And today it is my turn to do something nice for Erin. So please read below, get to know her, and her beauty brand.
AP: What city were you born in? EW: Houston, Texas
AP: What city to do you live in? EW: I just moved from Queens to Maplewood, NJ a couple of weeks ago.
AP: What is your middle name? EW: Elizabeth
AP: What is your astrological sign? EW: Aquarius with Cancer Moon and Cancer Rising (an old roommate was into astrology charts).
AP: What is something about you most people don’t know? EW: I was on a synchronized swimming team in high school.
AP: What is your most prized possession? EW: I guess I technically own our dog, Jasper, so I would say him.
AP: If you could have dinner with the person of your choice, who would it be? EW: There are so many people! But in this moment I’ll pick Leonard Bernstein. I would love to listen to him talk about how he wrote what he wrote and then I’d like to lie under the piano while he played it.
AP: Describe your fashion style in three words maximum. EW: Curvy bohemian
AP: Do you wear a watch? If yes, what model? EW: Nope.
AP: Diamonds or pearls? EW: My diamond engagement/wedding ring.
AP: What is your #1 beauty secret? EW: SPF Daily – I use my Peptide SPF 30 but any physical SPF will do.
AP: What fragrance do you wear? EW: I’ve gotten out of wearing fragrances that aren’t natural, so this summer I wore my Monoi Tiare Oil as a fragrance daily – it smells so yummy!
AP: Botox or not? EW: I’m 38 so at this point, not for me, but I think if you want to do it, do it.
AP: Hair color: natural or not? EW: Totally not natural at all!
AP: What are your special diet tips, if any? EW: Put down the chips. I need to take my own advice.
AP: What do you do for exercise? EW: I love swimming and dancing – when I’m doing those I feel my best.
AP: What are three things that you always have in your fridge? EW: Eggs, goat cheese, and fig jam.
AP: What is your cocktail of choice? EW: I don’t drink so a boring glass of water sounds lovely.
AP: What is your secret to work/life balance? EW: I would love to figure that out! I work all the time – it’s non-stop. I had wanted more purpose in my life before I started my line and now I have purpose coming out of my ears!
AP: How many miles do you fly per year on average? EW: I’ve never counted but I teach Green Beauty Workshops around the country about 4 times a year plus visiting family – so a bit – nothing nuts.
AP: What are your three top tips for travel? EW: Download free movies from Amazon Prime onto your IPad/computer, drink tons of water and bring healthy snacks so you don’t fall into the $6 bags of Dorito’s. Again, I need to take my own advice!
AP: 3 songs on your ipod right now. EW: Anything Adele, Sarah Vaughan, and Kelli O’Hara – any song they sing is on my iPhone.
AP: What book are you reading right now? EW: My books are still to be unpacked (given the recent move) but I’d really love to read the new Ann Patchett book, Commonwealth.
AP: Quote to live by. EW: It’s from my dad, “Your job is to love people – that’s it.”
AP: What is your worst pet peeve? EW: Toothpaste in the sink. I hate it.
AP: What time do you usually wake up in the morning, and how many hours of sleep do you usually get? EW: I stay up late working so I get up around 9am if I don’t have to get up for anything. I love a solid 8 hours of sleep :).
AP: What is your favorite thing about the beauty industry? EW: I love that it’s always evolving, that there is always something new ingredient-wise or color- wise – it isn’t stagnant.
AP: Least favorite thing. EW: That people feel like they have to fit into a box to be “pretty” – or that there’s a preconception that that’s true. I love taking that concept, smashing it, and determining what makes each individual woman feel confident, and thus, beautiful. For some women that’s mascara and lip balm and for some it’s a full face with lashes. I think both are valid.
AP: Who is your mentor? EW: I don’t really have one. I definitely have learned from makeup artists along the way – Elisa Flowers and Mally Roncal are people who I assisted and learned a lot from on the artistry front, but on the business front for my product line I’ve been figuring things out – some to success and some not – on my own. That’s one thing I’d love to start is a beauty entrepreneur master mind situation – I think that would be awesome.
AP: Words of advice for young women starting their careers today. EW: Choose to contribute to the world and be useful in whatever way makes the most sense to you. Even if it makes no sense to someone else – listen to what your heart is whispering, or yelling, and work like heck to make it happen.
