STYLE LIST: TEN QUESTIONS WITH SUPERMODEL IMAN

UBC is proud to welcome supermogul and former supermodel Iman. Ms. Iman is the founder of her own cosmetic line IMAN Cosmetics and accessory lines GLOBAL CHIC on HSN. Here are her fun and fabulous answers to THE TEN.

UBC: THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO URBAN STYLE PROFESSIONALS AT ALL LEVELS, AND THE PEOPLE THEY INSPIRE. FROM THE BARBER IN DETROIT, TO THE MAKE-UP ARTIST IN SAN FRANCISCO, TO THE ASPIRING WARDROBE STYLIST IN ATLANTA. YOU ARE SUCH A SUPERSTAR IN THE WORLD OF FASHION AND MAKE-UP. CAN YOU ENCOURAGE OUR READERS BY RECALLING YOUR EARLY DAYS, BEFORE IMAN WAS A WORLDWIDE SENSATION? DO YOU REMEMBER HOW IT FELT WHEN YOU GOT YOUR BIG BREAK?

IMAN: When I started in the fashion industry, it was unheard of for models of color to be featured on major magazines covers, or to work for exclusive fashion and beauty houses around the world. But you can’t be afraid to break down barriers. Before modeling, I came from a strong family, I was a college student. I traveled and knew five languages. So, modeling became a platform for what I do now as CEO of IMAN Cosmetics, and for authoring books, being Global Ambassador for KEEP A CHILD ALIVE, hosting PROJECT RUNWAY in Canada and creating GLOBAL CHIC on HSN.

UBC: LET'S TALK ABOUT IMAN COSMETICS, YOUR COMPANY THAT HAS REVOLUTIONIZED THE MAKEUP INDUSTRY BY SHINING A MUCH-NEEDED LIGHT ON WOMEN OF COLOR. WHEN STARTING THE COSMETIC LINE IN 1994, WHAT OBSTACLES WERE IN YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS? HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT GETTING YOUR VISION ACROSS SO SUCCESSFULLY TO THE "POWERS THAT BE?"

IMAN: When I launched IMAN Cosmetics, the industry’s standard of beauty was blond hair and blue eyes. But the reality is that the “girl next door” is also Black, Asian, Latina, Native American and multi-racial. With IMAN Cosmetics, I’ve been able reeducated the industry and show the importance of diversity. So I launched the brand for all women with skin of color. You will always see a multicultural representation of beauty in everything I do. And that is a big part of the brand’s success. Women are finally able to see images of themselves that they can relate to.

UBC: WE KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS WOMEN OF COLOR DEAL WITH IS FINDING THE PERFECT FOUNDATION. HOW HAS THE IMAN BRAND TRIED TO COMBAT THAT CHALLENGE?

IMAN: Women with skin of color come in all skin tones from fair to very dark and the industry was not addressing that before I launched IMAN Cosmetics. That’s why when I launched the brand it was important that it reflected this wide range of complexions. Also, coverage is an issue that can be frustrating for women with skin of color. So I developed sheer, medium and full coverage foundation textures that even out skin tone, look natural and feel wearable. IMAN products are never heavy, oily or ashy on skin.

UBC: WE INTERVIEWED SAM FINE LAST WEEK AND HE COMMENTED THAT YOUR LUXURY PRESSED POWDER IS ONE OF HIS FAVORITE PRODUCTS. DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL FAVORITE TOO?

IMAN: My latest favorite is my new Second To None Cover Cream Enriched with Minerals. It’s like a secret weapon. No one is perfect! Every once in a while a woman has a little breakout, or dark circles under her eyes that she wants to conceal. This product camouflages imperfections and at the same time pampers and protects skin with minerals, vitamins and botanical extracts.

UBC: IT'S BEEN SAID THAT THE KEY TO GREAT MAKE-UP IS GREAT SKIN. YOUR SKIN AND AGELESS BEAUTY ARE WORLD RENOWNED. COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE A BEAUTY SECRET OR TWO FOR KEEPING OUR SKIN IN PRIME FORM?

IMAN: Good cleansing is the first step to great skin. Don’t use soap! A product like my Gentle Foaming Cleanser removes dirt and makeup without stripping your skin. And my most important tip is sun protection! No matter what your complexion is, you need to prevent skin damage. My All Day and Oil Free Moisture Complexes both have an SPF 15. I always say that the skin you take care of in your teens, and 20’s is the skin you will inherit in your 30’s, 40’s and beyond.

UBC: YOUR ACCESSORIES LINE, GLOBAL CHIC, HAS SOME AMAZING PIECES! WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION WHEN CREATING ACCESSORIES FOR THE LINE?

IMAN: GLOBAL CHIC was inspired by my journeys around the globe - from the bold, saturated colors of Africa, India, and Bali, to the glamour of Hollywood, and the chic streets of London, Paris, Milan, and New York. I combined that with inspirations from my personal collection and created a lifestyle brand that allows all women to experience a taste of international luxury, right at home. With Global Chic, I get to be their Editor-at-Large, taking cutting edge style and making it relevant, effortless and affordable for real women.

UBC: NOW FOR THE FELLAS. ANY GROOMING TIPS FOR OUR MALE MEMBERS? WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO SEE ON A MAN? A CLOSE SHAVE? A GROOMED BROW? A PEDICURE? A MORE RUGGED LOOK? OUR GUYS WANT YOUR TIPS TOO!

IMAN: Of course grooming is important for men! Whether he’s 16 or 60, well groomed nails, a good haircut, a great shave are all important. There are lots of ways to interpret men’s style. So there’s no one cookie cutter way to be well appointed. But great skin is always a must. As with women, cleansing is important. My Oil Free Cleansing Gel is great for men. It has a good lather, so it can be used for shaving. Then as an aftershave, my Skin Refreshing Lotion works wonders. It is filled with plant extracts to tone the skin without alcohol, which causes dehydration. My Oil Free Moisture Complex is also a must, because it has SPF 15.

UBC: YOU HAVE SUCH A FABULOUS PROFESSIONAL LIFE. A LIFE THAT FEELS LIKE RARIFIED AIR TO THE REST OF US. CAN YOU SHARE AN EXPERIENCE OR TWO THAT STANDS OUT? A SITUATION WHERE EVEN YOU JUST HAD TO SAY TO YOURSELF, "WOW."

IMAN: As Global Ambassador for KEEP A CHILD ALIVE, an organization that provides life saving drugs for African children and families affected by AIDS, I wanted to create a thought-provoking campaign that made people stop, look, think and take action. So creating the I AM AFRICAN campaign did that. It reminded people that we all originate from Africa, hence we are all connected to what happens there. I am forever grateful to all the celebrities that came together to create my vision — from Gwyneth Paltrow to Sarah Jessica Parker, David Bowie, Richard Gere, Alicia Keys, Heidi Klum and Seal. The AIDS epidemic has created over 13 million orphans. We can all make a difference by providing life-saving medication, and support.

UBC: WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE IMAN BRANDS?

IMAN: Expanding GLOBAL CHIC and opening new international markets for IMAN Cosmetics.

UBC: FINALLY, CAN YOU LEAVE ALL OF THE WORKING AND EMERGING BEAUTY PROS OF URBAN BEAUTY COLLECTIVE WITH SOME WISE WORDS FROM THE GREAT IMAN ON GROWING AND THRIVING IN THIS INDUSTRY?

IMAN: Two pieces of advice: Embrace change, because you never know what's around the corner and don’t settle. The day you settle for less, is the day you will get less.