While working as a makeup consultant at My Market in New Paltz, Oksana Ryabinkina noticed something peculiar — many products in the cosmetics industry contained undesirable chemicals.
Equipped with a degree in chemistry, Ryabinkina realized harsh chemicals, such as parabens and petroleum-based products, were often linked to allergic reactions, rashes, skin irritation, violent coughing, headaches and dizziness.
Alarmed, she yearned to promote products containing natural, organic ingredients. Although Ryabinkina helped expand My Market’s selection, she desired to open a one-stop shop for customers’ needs.
This September, Ryabinkina’s dream became a reality with the debut of Looking Good, a beauty supply store.
Located in the Cherry Hill Center, Looking Good offers an expansive selection of natural skin care and makeup products. The store also sells vitamins, supplements, anti-stress relievers and remedies.
“The most beautiful cosmetic you can wear is healthy skin,” said Ryabinkina. “We do not do plastic surgery, but you can look 20 to 30 years younger if you know the right products to use.”
Looking Good provides customers a wide array of products, featuring goods from Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Greece and Australia. Each product possesses fewer chemicals than the leading brands in the industry, which often include parabens, artificial colors and dyes.
In addition to selling international products, Ryabinkina enjoys promoting brands close to home, among them, Made with Love, a skin care line based in Gardiner.
“At Looking Good, you can do all your shopping in one place — from hair to toes,” said Ryabinkina. “We carry a lot of brands for any need: body, face, hair, gifts, men’s, children’s and mineral makeup from all around the world. Many of the products sold contain essential oils and things such as lavender, sugar cane, jojoba oil, cedar wood, frankincense, lemon oil, grapefruit and juniper.”
Looking Good also offers walk-in makeup consultations in order to encourage customers to test-ride products.
“Everyone’s skin is different,” said Ryabinkina. “We want to help them recognize which product will make their skin look amazing.”
Each Saturday, the budding business features live demonstrations from skin care specialists and make-up artists. At this time, representatives from Made with Love and Kiss my Face have given free presentations at the store. This Saturday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., a specialist from Annemarie Borlind will offer their services to customers.
Though her business is but a few months old, Ryabinkina has high hopes for Looking Good’s future.
“As a new business, it takes time to get people know you and where you are,” she said. “Eventually, we’re going to get massagers and make-up artists to be here all the time.”
Looking Good is located at 246 Main Street in the Cherry Hill Center. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/lookinggood217 or call 255-5020.
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