When it's time to finish your look with lipstick, are you applying it without a second thought? Women all over the world or doing just that, yet many of the lipsticks on the market are laden with lead and other dangerous metals that are ingested and absorbed through the skin.

Luckily, the research that KéNisha Ruff has done regarding toxic-beauty over the years has birthed her company, Marie Hunter Beauty, an eco-friendly cosmetics line that we're crazy about! Read more about KéNisha, her journey, and beautiful green lipsticks!

BLKGRN: Why do you do what you do?

KENISHA:  My name is KéNisha Ruff and my mission is to help women feel confident on the inside and outside by creating luxury eco-friendly products with meaning. 

BLKGRN: What was your "Aha  Moment" and when did your vision start to manifest? 

KENISHA:  The idea for product side Marie Hunter Beauty started in 2011. Over the course of 5 years, I researched ingredients, manufacturers, cosmetic practices and studied what other brands were doing. Marie Hunter launched Spring 2016 with 12 universally flattering shades and has since expanded to over 30 shades and 3 new categories! 

BLKGRN: How is your brand green? Why was this important to you?

KENISHA: All of our products are ethically made and ingredients are ethically sourced right here in the USA. Our packaging is 100% recyclable and reusable.

BLKGRN: What need do you currently see being unmet that you address?

KENISHA: Creating a curated line of beauty, fragrance and wellness products that are made in small batches to ensure freshness while reducing our ecological footprint with reusable and recyclable packaging. 

BLKGRN: What’s your favorite black-owned brand on BLK + GRN?

KENISHA: I haven’t had the opportunity to try any of the current brands on BLK + GRN but I have my eye on trying the Black Girl Sunscreen!

BLKGRN: Why do you think it is important to Buy Black?

KENISHA: No one knows understands our culture better than we do so when black-owned businesses are created they are created with US in mind. Redistributing our dollars back into our own communities is essential to strengthening our communities, creating jobs opportunities and building financial literacy.

BLKGRN: Which product are you most proud of and why?

KENISHA: I’m the proudest of our lipsticks, not only because it is our hero product but because of the process put into developing a line of lip products that are cruelty-free, using the finest ingredients and innovative technology. 

BLKGRN: What’s your self-care routine?

KENISHA: My self-care routine varies on my day and mood. My favorite kind of self-care is indulging in a nice warm bath with one of our bath bombs and a glass of wine. 

BLKGRN: What's on your vanity and what’s in your purse?

KENISHA: As a Makeup Artist I pretty much have every product you can imagine on my vanity. My staple beauty items that I keep in my purse at all times are lipstick, lip balm, facial mist and hand cream.

BLKGRN: Anything else coming soon?

KENISHA: We are currently working on the development of a facial oil and hand cream.