For Alison Raffaele makeup is not just the tool of her trade, it is her passion. If asked, Raffaele will tell you “I really am living my dream every day. I absolutely love the cosmetics industry and everything about it”. From a very young age Raffaele realized she had a passion for beauty. Drawing inspiration from music, fashion magazines and legendary make-up artists like Way Bandy, she experimented with looks and crafted her technique behind the beauty counter of the family business, Raffaele’s Pharmacy. From 80’s chiseled cheekbones to classic natural looks Raffaele refined her skills on willing customers waiting for prescriptions and booked her first professional job while still in high school.

Her love of art led her to a degree in Art History but when graduation came Raffaele knew she had to break from convention and follow her heart into the make-up industry. The gamble paid off and in 1992 she landed a coveted position with Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. “Bobbi was always an idol of mine and having the opportunity to work with her was a life changing experience” says Alison. First working as Brown’s head assistant and later as her national make-up artist and international trainer, Raffaele spent three years with the company fine tuning her craft. Her next move was to NYC where she spent the next five years amassing a stellar portfolio through print work and celebrity bookings. Her technique graced the faces of Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Phoebe Cates, Sigourney Weaver and Giselle Bundchen to name a few. But as Alison’s star continued to rise as a professional artist she realized that she still had dreams she wanted to follow.

In 2000, after 9 months of research and development, Alison launched her first brand, Skin Alison Raffaele. Her True Concealer became an instant success among artists and clients and solidified her as product development specialist. In March 2008 Alison launched the evolution of her brand with the paraben free Alison Raffaele Cosmetics line. This launch represented the realization of her dream to produce healthful and environmentally friendly products that integrate naturally derived antiaging ingredients with high performance cosmetics. Simply put, Alison’s focus is to give women healthy cosmetic choices that wear beautifully on the skin and deliver healthy benefits from within.

From blemish fighting peptides to time released antioxidants, Alison is involved from start to finish with each ingredient and product she develops. “I have exacting standards and will always push until I get the best color, consistency, coverage and result. The products I create have to make a difference in women’s lives and as a company we will accept nothing less”.  In addition to her hands-on involvement with all aspects of her company Alison remains strongly committed to her roots as a professional make-up artist. Whether she is working with clients at special events, doing television appearances, getting celebrities ready for the red carpet, giving lectures on technique at the Fashion Institute of Technology, teaching at the Make-up Designory or working with young artists through The Powder Group Alison is truly living her passion for beauty each and every day.