Interview with Katharine L’Heureux, Founder of Kahina Giving Beauty

That is so kind of you.  I am very proud of creating a line that truly meets a high standard of sustainability while competing in the luxury category.  Part of our job has been to educate consumers that natural and organic products are as effective and luxurious as their traditional counterparts, and that there is no need to sacrifice anything in terms of texture, scent or design for healthy and responsible products.  As consumers catch on and demand more sustainable products, we put pressure on traditional companies to clean up their acts.  Another thing I’m proud of is our work with the Berber women.  It has been so rewarding to be able to help these women in a material way through our fair trade practices.

What do you think is the biggest misconception when the typical luxury consumer thinks about green products?

Many people still think that green beauty products are those products on the shelves of health food stores that smell kind of funky and don’t really work.  The category has come such a long way – and people are catching on.

For someone new to green products, I would have them try our award-winning Eye Cream and/or Eye Serum.  These two high-performance products really work to address problems associated with the eye area and could convert even the biggest skeptic.

Tell me about the first time you saw someone using your product when you were just ‘out and about’.

Well, it’s rare to see someone applying skincare on the street, but I was at a dinner party once when I overheard a group of women I didn’t know conversing about a fabulous new skincare line they discovered called Kahina.  It was such a thrill to introduce myself!

What has been the most touching response you’ve received from a customer?

We receive so many amazing testimonials expressing gratitude from customers who have finally found relief from skin conditions like severe eczema and rosacea.  So many people are really suffering pain and embarrassment because of problems like these.  I’ve realized that the line is much more than merely cosmetic.

How would you finish this thought: 5 years from now, here’s where I see Kahina Giving Beauty:

We’ve only been in business for four years.  I could never have imagined that we would now be sold in more than 10 countries around the world.   I have no idea what the future holds, but I look forward to finding out!

If you could go back in time to speak to yourself when you were just starting your line, what single piece of advice would you give to yourself?

Don’t sweat the small stuff.  It has been an extremely challenging journey, with many sleepless nights, but I’ve learned that with persistence things usually work themselves out.  Now I just try to remember that and tell myself that everything will be all right.

Finally, what can we expect from Kahina in the near future?

We have several exciting launches coming up in the Fall and Winter, taking us into new categories and utilizing some incredible active natural ingredients.