Simone Oliveira Xavier
Sigma Beauty FounderWe love when total brainiacs apply their mind to beauty: it makes for the absolute best products and the healthiest outcome overall for our skin. That’s exactly the case with Simone Xavier, a molecular biologist turned beauty expert, who runs Sigma Beauty alongside her husband, Rene Xavier Filho, a civil engineer. The two combined their knowledge of scientific research to develop and market beauty products. Web-based Sigma Beauty is best known for its makeup brushes—and Simone put her husband’s skills to the test when he created revolutionary brush care products, like the Dry’N Shape, a patent-pending invention that allows you to reshape your brushes after cleaning, so they don’t end up all wiry, with bristles sticking out every which way (which, lets be honest, is why we ‘never get around to’ cleaning our brushes in the first place). We can’t wait to see what Sigma comes up with next, but in the meantime, we cornered the hard-working Creative Director for this week’s Spotlight.
BEAUTY MUST-HAVES>> scent: VALENTINO VALENTINA // moisturizer: VICTORIA’S SECRET DREAM ANGELS // foundation: DIOR FLAWLESS PERFECTION // mascara: GIORGIO ARMANI EYES TO KILL // lips: MAC DAZZLEGLASS and PRO LONGWEAR LUSTRE LINE // nails: DIOR HAUTE COULEUR in BLUE LABEL // eyebrows: SIGMA BEAUTY BEAUTY EXPERT BROW DESIGN KIT // skincare: SIGMA BEAUTY POLISHING AND CLEANSING TOOL // anti-aging: LANCOME GENIFIQUE
Q: As a (super chic) scientist, you embody the phrase “beauty and brains.” What role does your science background play in your work with Sigma Beauty?
A: My approach to product development certainly has a scientific component to it. Every decision is based on data and evaluation of client behavior. Research is also heavily employed on development of new revolutionary products.
Q: And how do you decide what products to develop?
A: I tend to develop products I would like to purchase but can’t really find on the market.
Q: Like what? Any ideas what you might be coming up with next?
A: Concealer. I need to develop one that works. I’ve tried several and NONE have worked as I wish they did.
Q: Please, please do that! You also have a lot of vegan products. Are you and your husband vegans?
A: I am not a vegan, but I see the market gearing towards this sector. Today there are amazing synthetic filaments that are great substitutes for natural hair. These new synthetic filaments not only feel like natural bristles, but they perform better than natural hairs. There is no breakage, no shedding, no bleeding, and as a plus, no harvesting from animals.
Q: Doing good while looking good—we love that! Is that what you mean by Sigma’s mission statement: “Keep the World Beautiful”?
A: Our mission is to have an amazing crew of beauty enthusiasts developing high quality products for your enjoyment. We work for you so you can express beauty as you see fit. That is our role in keeping the world beautiful. We provide the tools, you express yourself with them.
Q: What is your personal beauty philosophy?
A: I respect individual styles and my only rule is: OWN IT. If you think it is beautiful, it is beautiful. That’s all that matters.
Q: We’re giving you an—imaginary, sorry!—day off. Plans?
A: Go boating and enjoy an amazing dinner with Rene—these are our traditions.
Find more on SigmaBeauty.com.
AND ON THE G&F BLOG, SIGMA HELPS BUILD THE PERFECT BRUSH WARDROBE.