April 17, 2017

Meet Rose Nichols of LIP INK International in El Segundo

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose Nichols.

California wisdom meets invention, chemistry and cosmetics

THE LIP INK STORY – LIP INK® International is an American cosmetic technology company, self-manufacturing in the USA over 750 intellectual property cosmetic products and it is the holds the record to be the first cosmetic ecommerce cosmetic web site www.lipink.com established in 1995. headquartered in El Segundo, California.

LIP INK® International, self manufactures, and sells wax-free smear proof color cosmetics. Having reinvented cosmetics with the first wax-free alternative to traditional lipstick, LIP INK holds multiple international patents for its 100% smear proof color technology.

The company was founded on January 1, 1995, by Inventor, Mother, and “Lip Diva” Rose Nichols in 1995. Lip Ink’s International’s revolutionary concept began with Rose’s senior thesis project in Merchandise Marketing at FIDM-LA. (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) It has since grown into a multi-million-dollar international enterprise. Rose set out to invent an extraordinary Wax Free, Semi-Permanent Liquid Lip Color because she was tired of her old-fashioned lip color coming off on her teeth, clothes, coffee cups, and food. Rose wanted lip color ink that would stay on until she was ready to take it off. She wanted the staying power of ink, without being ink.

On January 1, 1995, Californian Rose Nichols, started her company, Lip-Ink® International, a multi-patented, guaranteed smear proof, cosmetic color line that’s vegan, kosher, natural, organic and botanical. At 40 years old, when she was at the end of one cycle in her life, she got the calling to push herself toward another: “I began to read books on herbs, botanicals, the origins of color and I started visiting hardware stores, art stores, going to museums; I wanted to know as much about color as I could. I was on a quest. I needed answers, more and more answers, until I hit a sweet spot. That was the moment that I knew my calling: To change the face of cosmetics and bring meaning and purpose to cosmetics in women’s lives. All of the products that I invented needed to be explained, which requires one person sharing an application with another. I call this ceremony. There is a reason for this; I believe it brings women together. We have been separated due to the fast-pace of life. Little things like this bring us back together. That was when Lip-Ink® was born.” ~ Rose Nichols

Here is more of my conversation with Rose:

Rose: My background is not in cosmetics. But I always knew I was an inventor. We are all given gifts. When you discover yours is not as important as how you use them. My gift is finding patterns: Patterns in numbers, images, words, anything visual. I can find the patterns without thinking. They pop out like polka dots. Many years ago, I had a financial services company with 8,000 clients. I was able to review each of the tax returns in a very short period of time, to find the errors for the accountants. This process would have taken them hours, perhaps weeks and I could do it in minutes. I filed many cosmetic patents because I was able to see patterns in tests that revealed waterproofing and smear proof abilities with natural polymers through water and oil, that might have taken a chemist years or perhaps a lifetime to uncover. I like the patterns that show up on canvas. I never know what I am going to paint, but something is always revealed. We actually have a virtual museum on our website at lipink.com/art showing paintings that painted with other artists, taken from the recycled products from our customers. I am an inventor, alchemist and pioneer. But mostly I am known as the Lip Diva®.

Rose: I didn’t know it at the time but what I actually accomplished by developing Lip-Ink® kosher, vegan and 100@ smear proof cosmetic color line was: L.I.F.E. I ended up naming my fragrance collection L.I.F.E., Love, Integrity, Freedom and Empowerment. These are the true ingredients of my product line.

Rose: LOHAS, Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability are the principles behind which I choose to stand. The buck stops with me, the manufacturer, to create the sustainable change needed for my industry and for the lifestyles and health of others. Why not be the change?

When Asked What is your dream for Lip-Ink®? For women? For the planet? Rose: As we dream our dreams our desires manifest. I wrote this the year I started my business. It was always will be my belief, my way of life. It is Lip-Ink®’s goals to touch and empower as many women’s lives as possible by revealing their natural beauty and giving them more freedom and time during the day. The planet shares in all that we do. Dare to dream your dreams and manifest your desires. By using natural ingredients, it is better for our own bodies and the planet itself.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Protecting patents, and our intellectual property has been a rough road. Protecting the patents took most of my time but protecting the trademarks is an ongoing problem.The following companies have had, or currently have products bearing the registered trademark LIP INK® or LIP INK’s. LIP INK® International is aware of the confusion that has arisen, both on line and in the marketplace from this. Please be advised that their products, are not manufactured by LIP INK® International and are not licensed, authored or endorsed by LIP INK® International, and they do not contain the multi patented Guaranteed Smear proof technology of the following patents: LIP INK® International Patent Numbers: 5747017, 6001374, 6010709, 6027739, 6203809, 6395263, 6509009, AU 701794, AU 736718 All LIP INK® Products are self-manufactured in the USA.

Sephora Collection Rouge Infusion
Giorgio Armani Beauty USA. A division of L’Oréal USA S/D, Inc.
Giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com A division of L’Oréal USA S/D, Inc.
Tokidoki Fantastico
Palladio Beauty Group
Avon products Inc.
Models Inc.
The Body Shop
Pop Beauty
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.
Quidsi, Inc./Quidsi Solutions LLC
YBF Beauty Berry Lip Stain
Makeup Forever – Sold at JC Penny & Sephora
LVMH
Napolean Perdis Australia
LureCosmetics
Peripera Peri’s Tint Lip Ink, It Lips, 8 Gram by Peripera
AmoreNCosmetics

Now taking our products into retail stores with our new Members Only web site dedicated to B to B is an even bigger challange. We developed a web site that allows retail establishments that want to sell with a zero-inventory concept www.lipinkmembersonly.com Brick and Mortar stores demo our lip color and sell with this web site. This outreach to retail allows us to still stay a dotcom and it allows our loyal fan base to see our color demonstrated. It is a new concept and we just need to be patient, as stores catch on to the future of retail. We are always ahead of the game. Now we just have to wait for them to catch up with the future.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about LIP INK International – what should we know?
The 3 Product System:

LIP INK Smearproof Lip Stain

Semi-Permanent & Long-Lasting Smear Proof Lip Kits
LIP INK® Lip Colors are different than ALL other Cosmetics!

World’s Only 100% Smearproof

Natural • Organic • Vegan • kosher • Gluten Free • Wax Free • GMO & Cruelty Free

Our LIP INK® liquid lip stick system is cruelty-free and offers the latest innovation in smear proof technology. Unlike other all-day lip color and staining products, our unique three product smear proof liquid lip kits founded in 1995 are hand crafted in the U.S.A and formulated from natural botanicals that are organic, vegan, kosher, and they are wax-free and gluten-free. LIP INK®’s “Three Product System” is sold in the form of a kit. Our LIP INK® Lip Kit comes with LIP INK® botanical liquid lip stick, LIP INK® OFF natural exfoliating cleanser and LIP INK® Lip Shine Moisturizer base conditioner, providing maximum hydration and sun protection. Other super stay lipstick and lip stain products are not 100% guaranteed smear proof and they create a drying effect while LIP INK® Liquid Lip Kits don’t need a sealant or lip gloss supplement for added moisture or color. Accompanying the no-texture liquid sheer botanical formula, LIP INK® Lip Stains three product system is 100% smear proof with long lasting moisture to keep your lips looking better than ever. All these features are key ingredients to enhance your beauty regimen, your personal well-being, and your concern for a healthy sustainable lifestyle. With our smear proof lip kits, it’s easy as 1-2-3 to have moist, healthy, hydrated lips. The entire process, from exfoliation to moisturizing to the dramatically finished look, takes just two short minutes. You get beauty, convenience and natural botanical ingredients all rolled into one amazing smear proof lip kit system. Not compatible with other cosmetics.

You’ll love the way our LIP INK® liquid lip stick system enhances your natural, healthy lifestyle without sacrificing all-day effectiveness. Experience our color palette accommodating every ethnicity which allows you to choose just the right shade to enhance your look naturally, no matter what your natural coloring may be. Shop now, find that perfect color that matches you and save with a free liquid lip stick & free domestic shipping on orders of $150.

“We brought it back from the future for your healthy sustainable lifestyle”

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Our loyal on line customer fan base deserves all the credit- they have been supporting our cosmetic products has they have been invented for over 23 years.

Pricing:

Natural Smear-Proof Lip Kits Our 100% smear proof Lip Kits come in a variety of formulas that perfectly customize your beauty regimen to meet your individual makeup needs. For those new to our products, we offer our Trial Size Lip Stain Kit, designed for one-time use, or our Lip Stain Sampler Kit which allows you to test drive our products for yourself and experiment to find the perfect shade. We also offer our LIP INK® LipGel Mini Kit, our Lip Stain Mini Kit, and our Organic & Vegan Pre-Packaged Specialty Lip Kit . Each kit includes everything you need to create the Smear proof healthy look you desire. With our Lip Kits, smear proof beauty and hydrated lips can become a way of life. Using LIP INK® cosmetics means no more settling for unhealthy, unnecessary ingredients like waxes, synthetic oils, petroleum, animal fats, allergens, carcinogens, coal or other unhealthy substances. So, why not Test Drive our LIP INK® Smearproof Lip Kits? We have a very strong feeling you’ll be glad you did, and you’ll save with free shipping on orders of $150 or more!! Even better: we’ll give you a free lip color when you spend $145.00.
our price range for our lip kits starts at $19.00 for our trial size lip kit to test drive 100% smearproof LIP INK
Our sampler kit with two lip colors and everything you need in the kit to have 100% smearproof LIP INK sells for $98.50
Our mini kit that comes with one lip color and everything you need in the kit to have 100% smearproof LIP INK sells for $74.50

Contact Info: