TGATP recently got to meet the enigmatic, yet fun, Richard Anderson, President and Founder of Perfekt at a launch party at my favorite shopping playground, Henri Bendel! Afterwards, we asked him a few questions about his wonderful line.
TGATP: Hi Richard! We share the same last name, so I already feel related! (smile) You’ve had quite a meteoric rise from a small home office in 2005 to multimillion dollar sales now. To what do you attribute the success of Perfekt in such a crowded makeup market?
Richard: When I created Per-fekt the Beauty Industry was all about makeup artistry and it was quickly becoming saturated with “more of the same” with a different marketing twist. Quite frankly, the industry needed a fresh approach. At Per-fekt, it is not only the custom/ multi-tasking one-of-a-kind formulations that set us apart however the components are custom as well. The happy and playful look of the packing is inviting to clients to touch and experience is all retail environments however especially self service retail environments such as Sephora.
TGATP: What is the philosophy behind the Perfekt brand?
Richard: Per-fékt is quick and easy to apply, offering high performance skin care formulations combined with colors that blend seamlessly on all skin tones.
TGATP: You’ve been in the beauty business for over 20 years, How did you get your start?
Richard: I built Perfekt Beauty, Inc. out of a small office at home in the Hollywood Hills into a multi-million dollar business retailed in over 400 stores worldwide. What was the inspiration? Anderson LISTENED to women. With over 20 years in the beauty industry, he learned that women had one dominant complaint and growing frustration, NO TIME.
TGATP: What do you feel that most women get wrong with their makeup?
Richard: Many women think they have to hide their natural beauty behind too much makeup! Per-fekt products let your natural beauty shine through.
TGATP: Despite the fact that women of color spend 3x what their counterparts do on makeup, many brands do not properly market to them. How does Perfekt work for this demographic?
Richard: We offer various shades in all colors that match all skin tones. I designed products with Smart Color Technology™, and to be multi-functional with anti-aging benefits to meet the needs of modern women.
TGATP: Tell us a bit about the formulations in Perfekt. What makes them different?
Richard: All Per-fekt products are “perfectors”, the modern formulations, do not cover however perfect. It is not your “mothers makeup” I like to say.
TGATP: Which celebrities do you feel always get their makeup look right and who could use a re-touch?
Richard: Kristen Stewart get’s it right! Plus, she is a huge fan of Per-fekt!! Christina Aguilera is beautiful however I don’t understand why she hides behind all that heavy/bold makeup. When I look at a woman’s face I like to see the women, not all that makeup. It is a turn off to me.
TGATP: Perfekt has anti-aging properties. Is it ever too early or too late to think anti-aging?
Richard: Yes, it can be too early however it is never too late!
TGATP: Who inspires you professionally? Who were the makeup people of yore that you admired?
Richard: John Varvatos. Tym Buacharern and Sian Richards. Both have the same idea when applying makeup as per-fekt, YOU only better.
TGATP: Who inspires you personally?
Richard: Tom Ford
TGATP: What s is your motto?
Richard: Why look good when you can look Per-fékt!
About Richard Anderson
Named on ’The List’ as one of LA’s hottest movers and shakers by LA Confidential Magazine, Richard Anderson, the creator of Perfekt Beauty, Inc., is confident his per-fékt products are in a class all their own. Founded in 2005, Anderson single-handedly built Perfekt Beauty, Inc. out of a small office at home in the Hollywood Hills into a multi-million dollar business retailed in over 400 stores worldwide. What was the inspiration? Anderson LISTENED to women. With over 20 years in the beauty industry, he learned that women had one dominant complaint and growing frustration, NO TIME.
“From Fortune 500 corporate CEOs to stay-at-home moms, makeup artists, athletes and those ‘all-of-the-above,’ the dominant complaint I heard was, ‘I don’t have time for so many products,’” said Anderson. “What these women were asking for was a beauty line that would simplify their lives, not complicate it.I design each product to save time and money, to be quick and easy to apply with Smart Color TechnologyTM, and to be multi-functional with anti-aging benefits to meet the needs of modern women.”
Anderson, a true “per-fektionist” and visionary beauty expert, meticulously created and marketed his first product, skin perfection gel, an easy alternative to traditional foundation, primer, color corrector and powder. The original perfector became an instant hit, with both everyday women and A-list celebrities. With his “Created in Hollywood, Made for You” approach, Anderson began to expand per-fékt to include other modern products for the women (or men) on the go. A true beauty pioneer and rising entrepreneur star, Anderson spent years skillfully designing essential beauty products with cutting-edge ingredients that can instantly perfect the skin, body, eyes, cheeks, brows, lips and lashes, all without the weight or heaviness of traditional makeup. It’s an indispensable concept that has redefined today’s daily beauty regimens.
