La Lune Cosmetique Wants You To Look And Feel Beautiful Today And Always
After Mirlina and her sister closed their retail store, Mirlina wanted to create something meaningful and exciting. Though she was uncertain on her business ideas, she listens to her heart and God’s wisdom to create La Lune Cosmetique. Her products are currently sold in significant territories in the U.S. and hope to establish at considerable beauty stores soon. She tells us more of her company, how it started, and her plans on this featured interview.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Mirlina Jean Mary, also known as Luna (my nickname). I was born and raised in Haiti. At the age of 13, I moved to the United States with my parents. I am the proud mother of two and wife to a wonderful husband that supports me 100%. I am the founder and owner of La lune Cosmetique. Nothing gets in the way of me seeking my goal. To reach my goals, I remain ambitious and maintain very high confidence with a strong determination to do and finish whatever I set my mind to. The term “people person” defines me; therefore, I am very outgoing. When people are happy around me, it allows me to feed off their energy. As a result, I make sure I am surrounded with happy people. To sum it up, I am just an average woman with a big vision.
Tell us about Lalune Cosmetique. Where are you headquartered?
La Lune Cosmetique is a cosmetic line that was created to empower and sculpt everyone’s mind about their appearance to always know and feel that they are beautiful with and without makeup. We are located in South Florida, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando.
Why do you name the cosmetic line “La Lune Cosmetique”?
My nickname is Luna which means moon, in English and French is Lune. My husband and his brother would always call me Lune. To me, the moon is the most beautiful visible celestial object that one can see at night. The moon keeps everything on earth afloat, without the moon everything in the world would be chaotic. I want to think as La Lune Cosmsetique as such.
When everything seems that they are moving too fast or out of order, La Lune Cosmetique is here to bring confidence. In today’s world, many people lack self-esteem due to damaged skin, or lack of self-confidence due to not knowing how to apply or use makeup properly. We want to be here to help anyone gain their assertiveness when it comes to physical appearance. We are here to calm everything with a pure pop of a lipstick color or a cleanser that has now cleaned all skin impurities.
Hence, I named the business after my nickname Luna, and it’s there to keep your self-esteem, confidence, everyday doubts, fears out of your life because the Moon is there to keep us moving calmer.
How did you start with the business?
La Lune Cosmetique was created after God gave me an exciting idea; I took it and made it what it is today. I am a hard-working individual. Anyone would tell you even at the workplace, I am always a leader. I have earned an Associate of Science in Paralegal, an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice and finally a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. You see, I love the law, and my goal was even to go back to school to become a Lawyer. I remember getting into makeup more, using it on me and others and started to fall in love with the confidence people would gain after applying makeup. Then I thought, how beautiful would it be to use my own makeup line instead of using others —not that there is anything wrong with the other cosmetic companies. Nonetheless, I imagine a bigger picture. I believe that one day, makeup artists can also be using my products when providing services.
In the beginning planning stage, I first wanted to have just a cosmetic line, that will make anyone feel good only with a lipstick, or an eyeliner or even glitter. However, skin care is the most crucial component of makeup. Without a beautiful canvas, it is hard to remain happy. Having a good skin care routine is the secret to flawless skin and beautiful makeup. I wanted to take it up a notch to create products that would make everyone feel beautiful with flawless skin —with and without makeup.
What were some of the ups and downs moments? Also, what are some specific challenges you still have to face in your industry?
Some ups and downs moments were the fear in the beginning, but I know that God didn’t give us a spirit of fear and I continuously remind myself of that. I would say, no one would understand, no one would support this business, too many cosmetic’s lines, but I remain true to myself, and the company. I am always working on new ideas to better this business. When difficulties arise, I take them as they come, and I try not to worry too much.
What inspires you to keep going in life?
I have too many people counting on me, young girls and women that are inspiring me every day. They are all counting on me, and I cannot give up. If I give up, I will kill their goals, ambitions, dreams and their right to be entrepreneurs and successful business owners. I have many colleagues that have already been motivated to move forward with their individual goals.
Besides, I see a lot of young adults starting their own businesses. My goal is to continue to serve as an inspiration for others just like they are encouraging me too. Sometimes it will even bring tears to my eyes when I go to events, and young girls want to take pictures with me and to tell me how much I encourage them. That’s what keeps me going, and I should go forward.
What is your current business strategy?
We have a great team. I wanted to take models and people from all over the world starting in Haiti. People that you don’t ordinarily see or hear about but have great qualities. Often, the world would not give these people a chance because they don’t have a name for themselves. Those are the ones that I want to work with. When it comes to sales goals, we continue to strive to beat some of the local stores everywhere. Thus, we are growing one city at a time until we take over in the states. We will be starting first with Orlando this year, and next will be Haiti —which has already endorsed.
How does your background help La Lune Cosmetique?
My sister and I used to have a clothing store, but we had to close it because we both wanted to do something else. I remember the feelings I had when opening and closing the store. I always said that I wanted to go back to be a business owner. I was uncertain where and how to start. Nevertheless, I am thrilled that I am now doing something that I love, and it is almost like a hobby as opposed to a job. I love waking up every day to do what I like.
How does 2018 look thus far for La Lune?
For 2018, we have been doing great since we launched in November 2017. The sales are coming from every different location. We are blessed and appreciate all the support we have received thus far. We have won an award from South Florida Makeup Awards for best cosmetic and skin care line for 2017.
What makes La Lune different from the other Haitian cosmetic lines?
Under La Lune, we will have La Lune beauty supply that is set to open before this year-end or the beginning of next year. We also have La Lune makeup, and we have two more ventures that we are working on for 2019. I will definitely give you the scoop once we get closer to our goal. What differentiates us is that we are not just a cosmetic line. We are building an empire, a legacy by providing opportunities for others.
If I were to leave this earth, I want my children and your children to be able to call this their own. We see many times, not just the cosmetics line, but we start a business and want to keep it only for ourselves and not wanting to teach others about business or even let them take part of it. We want to change that. We plan on having different classes in sales and business development. We are proud of our community and heritage, though we don’t want to serve and help just the Haitian community. We want to make La Lune Cosmetique a household name everywhere, no matter your background.
What would be your message to the up-and-coming Haitian entrepreneurs in Haiti and abroad?
If you think about something, write it down, and make it a goal. From there, everything you want, push yourself to achieve it. Start somewhere and believe in yourself. You must believe and trust yourself in all that you’re doing. The self-doubts, fears and negative energy will always come but don’t let them discourage you. Think of the bigger picture. If you don’t start or don’t push through, other people you meet will never get the courage to become something in their lives too. Know that YOU are an inspiration to someone else out there as well.
Where can we get products from La Lune Cosmetique?
Visit our site, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook page.
C’est fascinante cette réflexion, Mivline. Merci d’avoir mis par écrit ce que parfois j’expérimente. J’aime également la façon dont les mots sautent de vos doigts.
J’en suis amplement ravie Olius Clervil ! N’abandonne pas ton combat. Merci infiniment pour cette marque d’attention !
Un plaisir de te lire Miv. Merci de me rappeler Notre combat est sans fin.
J’en suis vraiment heureuse Zachary ! Merci à toi !