Embrace Your Natural Beauty: Meet Isabel Madison, Founder/CEO of Nude Envie
Ostensibly Isabel Madison life’s reads like a heroine straight out of a Danielle Steele novel. The best-selling author has always celebrated strong, intelligent and glamorous female leads who never compromise their ideals and values. In this spirit, Isabel’s own journey unfold beautifully like Steele’s iconic leading ladies.
Born into a loving family, Isabel’s father, the late Perry Cohan was a tall and charismatic immigrant from Iran, who became a leading cosmetics chemist for esteemed brands such as Halston and Max Factor. Even as a young girl, Isabel showed impeccable creative instincts while helping her father in his laboratory. Recognizing her special talent, he began entrusting young Isabel with tasks such as creating and naming cosmetics shades, sales and modeling. Working side by side with her adoring father, Isabel absorbed valuable lessons on leadership, the joy of bringing happiness to others through the products they created, and the resolve to conquer challenges. She recalled a time when Max Factor offered her father a lucrative opportunity to relocate to New Jersey. However, dedicated to his family’s well-being and not willing to uproot Isabel and her siblings from their friends and lives in Los Angeles, he declined the offer. Instead, taking a significant risk, her father developed his own line of beauty products. Thus, Visage Beauté was born – a beauty line that offered custom-blended cosmetics and emphasized the creamy and velvety texture of its products from eye shadows to face and bronzing powders. Revolutionizing the industry, Visage Beauté was the first brand to introduce the brow gel in the 90s. The success of the brand caught the attention of cosmetics giant Revlon, which recognized the value in acquiring her father’s company. Consequently, Revlon purchased Visage Beauté in 1998.
Our heroine’s story does not end there. After raising her three children, Isabel launched Nude Envie in 2016, due to her struggle in finding shades that suited her skin. To address this, she began creating her own lipsticks, which her friends couldn’t resist and wanted more after trying them. Seeing the transformative impact of her makeup on women, Isabel said she felt “immense joy in contributing to their happiness.” This joy fueled her drive to empower women to feel confident about themselves with a line of cosmetics that enhance their natural beauty.
In person, Isabel exudes a striking presence reminiscent of the heroines in Steele’s novels: tall, beautiful, and impeccably graceful. Our paths crossed for the first time at a charity event at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills, and in a momentary lapse, I mistook her for Alexandra Von Furstenberg, a designer of luxury housewares I know. Isabel spoke in a soft voice and responded to my mix-up with a warm smile. She truly personifies inner beauty shining outward. (Barneys New York event article, click here.)
Beverly Hills Vibe is delighted to speak with Isabel, CEO/founder of Nude Envie. She discusses her self-care routine, products she recommends for Asian skin, and the exciting next chapter for Nude Envie.
As the CEO/Founder of Nude Envie what are your primary roles?
In my capacity as the CEO and Creative Director, I derive immense satisfaction from the creative process of developing new products. Engaging in experimentation, creation, and personally testing various textures and shades consumes my time, often leading me to work into the late hours of the night, free from distractions, to ensure the utmost precision and excellence in the final outcome.
While the creative aspect remains my favorite facet of the role, I am equally committed to overseeing the quantitative aspects of the business. This involves active involvement in sales strategies, meticulous attention to numerical data, and the daily operational activities that contribute to the overall success of the company. Balancing both the creative and business dimensions allows me to uphold a comprehensive approach to leadership, ensuring the seamless integration of innovation and strategic business management.
For those who are not familiar with Nude Envie, please tell us about your brand.
Nude Envie presents a stunning collection of effortlessly wearable shades suitable for everyone. I am not a professional makeup artist, therefore my passion lies in easily fostering self-confidence and feeling good about oneself for all. Our line boasts a range of feminine and beautiful lipsticks, lip liners, eye shadows, and blushes—all designed to enhance your natural radiance.
Each lipstick is meticulously formulated with just the right balance of shimmer or sheerness, tailored to the specific shade. Crafted by me, a woman intimately acquainted with what makes women feel beautiful, each formula is carefully crafted to ensure the perfect amount of pink or peach undertones, avoiding any undesirable gray or beige hues while maintaining a nude aesthetic.
Our products are designed to create harmony and balance on the face. Lipsticks are paired with matching eye shadows, and our cheek products are curated to complement both lips and lids, enhancing your overall look. Our cream blushes, highlighters, and bronzers not only provide a radiant glow but also contain skin-enhancing ingredients and they help conceal blemishes and imperfections. These creams can be layered with their corresponding partners for a truly magnificent finish.
You mentioned that putting on make-up is a process of self-care. Please tell us about this.
To me, prioritizing self-care is an integral aspect of my daily routine. It encompasses the way we communicate with ourselves, our self-perception, the time we dedicate to ourselves, and the manner in which we treat ourselves. A fulfilling morning routine involves appreciating one’s own beauty, adding a touch of color to the cheeks, lids, and lips. The act of applying makeup not only enhances our appearance but also nurtures a sense of inner beauty and well-being.
What was your background before starting Nude Envie?
I am the proud mother of three wonderful children, having dedicated many years to being a stay-at-home mom before venturing into the business of Nude Envie. During my time as a stay-at-home mom, my primary focus was ensuring the well-being and perfection of my precious children. Now, with Nude Envie, my cosmetics line, I extend that same dedication to ensuring the perfection of my new “babies” – my cosmetic creations.
What were some surprises or challenges you encountered when starting your company?
The primary challenges I faced revolved around the creative process and ensuring that all my products met my exacting standards. At times, there were pressures from others to adopt their suggestions for the sake of convenience in collaboration. However, maintaining focus and trusting my own instincts were crucial. Resisting external influence and staying true to my vision proved to be a significant challenge that I had to overcome.
What exciting things can we look forward to from Nude Envie this year?
I am thrilled about the projects currently in progress. To begin with, we are introducing exceptional eyeliners, available in both pencil and liquid formulations. Additionally, I am excited to unveil a limited edition of eye pencils that exude a sparkling, jewel-like quality, evoking the vibrant atmosphere of disco vibes.
Where is the next place on your wish list to visit?
I would love to visit Japan. The captivating culture, warm hospitality of the people, exquisite cuisine, and stunning topography make it a destination I am eager to explore in the near future, hopefully in the Spring!
