A makeup professional committed to cruelty-free and vegan artistry - Campbell Ritchie is a celebrity and high-fashion makeup artist (and Australian!) living in New York and travelling the world spreading her passion for cruelty-free cosmetics. She is also the founder of beach clean-up project, @beachplease.charity.
We were so proud to partner with Campbell as our lead makeup artist for New York Fashion Week, where she created gorgeous natural makeup looks for the House of Nonie SS'19 runway show using all INIKA Organic Products.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming one of the most sought-after fashion week makeup artists.
It all seems like such a blur when I look back, my journey started with me being discovered whilst studying at the London College of Fashion after just 3 weeks of classes. I was presented with an opportunity to assist backstage at shows by some of the greats in makeup; Francoise Nars, Kevyn Aucoin and Val Garland to name a just a few. I had fallen head over heels with makeup artistry at that point and just knew this was where I needed to be. After some amazing experiences overseas, I permanently moved away from my home in Australia to pursue bigger opportunities and headed for NYC – and I’m still here!
Did you always know that you wanted to pursue a career in makeup artistry?
Not at all, my very first creative passion was for ballet. I was first and foremost a prima ballerina, after training since the age of 8. I had always loved the stage makeup as part of the preparation for the shows, it was probably there that I fell in love with the way makeup can change the appearance and form of the face.
What was the moment that you realised you wanted to focus on cruelty-free and vegan beauty?
After experiencing some serious health issues, I turned to my diet to help in getting well. It was then that I realised that being health conscious, ethical and vegan meant I had to be conscious in ALL areas of my life. It didn’t make sense to be vegan and then use products that were tested on animals or contained animal ingredients, I had to truly practice what I preached.
Why are you so passionate about cruelty-free makeup?
It’s just the right way to go. Animal testing is TOTALLY unnecessary, it doesn’t ensure better products and it’s a completely unacceptable way to prove performance and safety. It’s my hope and dream that we will soon be in a world were animal cruelty doesn’t exist, where people realise that animal consumption is destroying the planet.
What has been your most favourite career highlight to date?
I’m so nostalgic that my fan girl moment was working with Angela Lansbury for the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ press tour. How could I not be in love? She was Mrs Potts!!!
What is the most important thing you want people to know about the makeup industry, that they don’t know already?
Most people still don’t know that animal testing exists and that most of their favourite brands and products are tested on animals. It’s so important to only support brands that share your values, so I really encourage people to do the research on the beauty brands they choose to invest their dollars in.
I continuously check in with different websites to get information on products and brands.
Some of my regular visits are to:
The Bunny Free App is also helpful as you can scan products too
What was one of the biggest challenges in pursuing your career goals?
As I headed over to the USA to chase my dreams, it was so hard to leave my family and friends back home. It was a huge personal sacrifice to pursue my career and now that I’m working in my dream field with so many amazing people, I make sure to get back home every year to see everyone.
What women’s issue are you passionate about at the moment?
I can’t go past one of the big ones, equal pay and equal work opportunities for women. The gender pay gap is REAL, I see it every day. It still really needs to be tackled by men and women alike, for the betterment of every industry.
How do you adapt your passion for cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics into your day to day life?
It’s completely second nature for me now, I could never consume or use products that have been tested on animals or contain animal ingredients ever again. Personally, it comes down to the fact that there is simply NO need. I get everything I need from a healthy vegan, raw diet and exercise and I am the healthiest now than I’ve ever been my whole life.
What is your best advice for someone wanting to make changes to their makeup kit to make it more ethical and natural?
Firstly, do your research, if you’re not sure on the cruelty-free status of your favourite brands, then reach out to them on social media! Secondly, keep an eye on my social posts and articles @campbellritchie – I only feature cruelty-free and vegan brands and I’m always happy to answer questions via DM on Instagram.
What are your favourite INIKA Organic products and why?
I’ve been obsessed with the Long Lash Vegan Mascara since I used it on every model at the SS NYFW show for House of Nonie, it just grips to lashes and enhances their length, without clumping AND with a natural, vegan formula. My other favourite would have to be the Loose Mineral Foundation powders, they’re like silk on the skin and they work with the complexion, instead of just covering it up.
Tell us one thing that you do every day to live a happier, healthier life?
I have a gratitude list and say thank you for all the things I do have, versus the things I think I need. I find that kindness is so contagious, as is laughter, so I try to laugh as much as I can and not take things too seriously, it keeps you young. Finally, if there is something you are truly passionate about, speak up, stand up and be the change, be the difference. My aim every day, is to be the change that I want to see in this world and to use my artistry and speaking opportunities to educate people and for the greater good.