We recently connected with Serina Augustin-Brunot and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Serina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

From the very beginning, I knew what would be in my future of things to do. It was never a question of what but in fact when! I think its every person goal to be happy and continue to keep that genuine happiness within themselves. I realized at an early age, that genuine happy thing, for me, was makeup.

Starting at an early age and seeing the different things and art that comes with makeup. From that moment till now is a feeling I can’t let go. So when it came to what it is that I want to do and create for myself, it was easy. It was going to be something of my own to make others feel good and have an happiness for themselves as well. I wanted to share what I felt with others. The idea came to me very clearly. So I went straight to work.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I always get questioned on the name. “What does Saint Nude mean?” and or “Well, that’s an interesting name. Are the two suppose to go together though?’ with a laugh following behind it. But it’s something you would have to ask win under to fully understand. The meaning for Saint Nude is more than what you see. I was raised Catholic and I feel as though a good part of that is the reason I am the way I am. And the second part to the name, Nude, means every shade. When you see Serina, you see a nude lip or an overall nude look. But nude comes in different colors and shades. And I knew others would want to see something that was different and inclusive. Which led me to Saint Nude.

The makeup market is so high and so much is going on within that. But it was difficult to find certain products that were inclusive to black skin tones. And it was even harder to find artists who would be able to do your makeup without understand the importance of my skin tone and others as well. It’s something that was more needed and not really seen. So, I knew that would set me aside and make what I had different compared to others. I made sure not just your fair or light skin tones were able to use my products but also my beautiful melanin skin could find something that they love as well.

I started off with my Saint Nude glosses which expanded into different shades and ranges. Over time, I began sharing other products as well such as lip balms as well which help with hyperpigmentation and the hydration of lips. I then thought about that happy feeling that I had when I would do my own makeup which led me to expand with Saint Nude Glam. The ability to do someone else’s makeup and enhance their already stunning features and make them feel even more beautiful. To then see the before and after and their reaction of the after is a feeling that makes me so happy. Words can’t describe. That in itself is my end goal. Happiness! They’re happy and I have a happiness within me because I see they’re happy and feeling what I feel on a daily basis. So, to be able to share that, is something I can never take for granted.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I created my very own site, www.saintnude.com , and it was the best choice to do for my business. I am in complete control of the vision, display, and detailing of every page on the site. I would definitely recommend it for those who have a creative vision. I am able to see the traffic coming and out which allows me to know what marketing is working based off what is being put out there for customers and clients.

But the difference between having your own site compared to using platforms such as Etsy or amazon is the quicker and easier access of your products to customers. You’re able to find a specific product from these platforms which allows the customer to see all their options from different vendors and businesses on one site. Compared to having your own site, and the customer having to go specifically to your site and or being able to find your products and business.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Saint Nude and I together have had great peeking moments over the time. We’ve had the opportunity of being recognized by celebrity makeup artists, certain makeup brands based of products we’ve shared on our social media, and even having our makeup work being in a Google Ad for inclusivity. But I think the Google Ad took me by surprise for sure. I received an email from my client and she was just like ‘hey! Heres your work by the way’ and there it was! I had no idea and it was such an happy moment overall! I mean truly!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.saintnude.com
• Instagram: @TheSaintNude
• Youtube: Serina Augustin
• Other: Instagram: @SerinaBrunot

Image Credits
Kerlens Balan Serina Augustin