Come take a stroll with me down memory lane to the year 2011 when a professional makeup artist and a US Marine Corps gunnery sergeant decided to start a makeup company that they later found out would change the world.
That makeup company is Espionage Cosmetics, a women-owned niche cosmetics born from my love of cosmetics, nerdy fandoms, and anything glittery!
The thing about me is that I have always fully embraced the fact that we have never been and will never be everyone's "vibe". The makeup/beauty world can be pretty intimidating enough as it is and I've always vowed to just not take ourselves too seriously.
I believe cosmetics are simply enhancements and ways to express ourselves day to day. Whether you dabble in it from time to time or are a full-on makeup guru, there is absolutely no need for anyone to feel unwelcomed for being a newbie or trashed for doing elaborate looks every day.
We have prided ourselves in being the "Misfits" of the beauty world because we do things that WE love, regardless if it's "on trend" and welcome everyone and anyone!
Like the great Sara Scribbles once said: "I just want to enjoy being alive."
Since our creation over 13 years ago, I alongside our team of Nerd Misfits at Espionage Cosmetics, have continuously pushed our imaginations to create fun products we ourselves would want to use but don't see anywhere else. The cool thing is that time and time again, our loyal customers also can't get enough of our product lines!
We are just a bunch of nerds and misfits who wanted a little more representation in the beauty world, so we figured, why not us?
By asking ourselves the questions "what if" and "why not" and just going for it, we have been able to accomplish so many bada** things, meet some incredible people, and got to make some incredible art and memories along the way!
That kind of thinking got us to where we could create:
- Created over 20+ licensed collaborations including Borderlands, Sonic the Hedgehog, and The Swan Princess.
- Launched 10+ unique cosmetic collections.
- Designed, produced, and sold more than 400 unique nail wrap designs.
#HumbleBrag (Am I doing this right?)
However, like many others, they were not immune to the effects of the global pandemic.
During the last four years, we made the difficult decision to hit the "pause button" and do some reflecting and recalibrating on how to move forward from this point.
Some modifications included:
- Picking up and moving the entire headquarters across the country from Tacoma, WA to Nashville, TN.
- Condensing the team and operations down from 10+ full time employees to, well, just me.
- Taking a step back from innovating new ideas, collaborating with some incredible talents, and connecting with our customers and supporters.
We were operating in "survival mode" just to keep our heads above water.
Luckily for us, that all worked and we have YOU to thank for it.
Even with the lack of promotion, you guys still showed up and supported Espionage these last few years, and I wouldn't be here today if you didn't make that happen. For that, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart!
The biggest thing that happened during this reflection period was however, the realization that "being a nerd", is not as one-dimensional as it once seemed.
Being passionate about gaming, sci-fi, and/or fantasy has evolved into so many sub-categories and niches that it wouldn't make any sense to NOT explore as many different styles and vibes as possible!
This goes for ALL fandoms and hobbies (like gaming, comic books, and nerdy cinematic universes) AND the many different aesthetics (like Cottagecore, Y2K, and Dark Academia).
We will never stop loving our "traditionally nerdy" favs, but we are excited to say that are now enthusiastically embracing a wider range of interests, outside the "nerd" realm, and that starts now!
In honor of the beginning of our "Reboot Era", I'd like to present to you our fourth Kickstarter Campaign:
"Nailed It! Y2Yay Edition"!
This Kickstarter encompasses everything that Espionage is all about and everything I hope it becomes! We are coming in hot with all the nostalgia, glitter, and a lot of that 2000s teenage attitude!
With all the changes and sacrifices made to get us to where I (and Espionage Cosmetics) are standing now, the highs and lows that have come and gone, I can honestly that the last 13 years have been nothing short of a dream come true.
I know that with your continuous love and support, Espionage will be able to hit "Reboot" and create something pretty dang awesome for everyone.
