Jackie Lee and Ginger King are the vivacious co-Founders of an amazing skin care line called Grand Central Beauty. Lee, an aesthetician and one the original staff members of the first Bliss spa, and King, a Cosmetic Chemist with over 20 years of experience, combined their talents to bring something new to the skincare industry. The pair met on Chinese New Year in Grand Central Station, and that meeting inspired the name for their line of skincare products designed for busy women on the go. As a tradition, every Chinese New Year they launch a new product (the brand now has 3) and do a fun marketing event for the line to remind them of that meeting, and to celebrate their perfect partnership.
Article & Coverage: T. Cooper
This Chinese New Year, the ladies held an event in New York City at Clyde’s on the Upper East Side; I stopped by to check out the product firsthand. Jackie and Ginger were so welcoming and pampered me with an exfoliating treatment and their signature soft-setting mask. Jackie used their polisher to exfoliate my face and I saw a brighter complexion instantly – it woke up my tired winter skin. The mask had a creamy yogurt texture and didn’t feel sticky at all. What I liked best about their products was that none of them had off putting scents; all of the fragrances in their product line are naturally derived from ingredients such as fruits and peonies. I felt entirely relaxed, and my skin was left refreshed and glowing; I so wanted to take her home with me to maintain it.
While trying to regain my composure after my face mask high, I sat down with Jackie and Ginger to find out more about their skincare line, and what it does. The NYC-based brand was inspired by Grand Central’s modern efficiency and classic beauty, all products are multi efficient. They are meant to add into your existing skincare regimen instead of replacing it. Ginger made sure to clarify that their products are multi efficient and not multi-tasking, because not all multi-tasking products work well. “You can have multi-tasking products and still have nothing good” says King. The line is travel friendly and can be used anywhere for convenience; rinsing is optional but not required for effective use. Grand Central Beauty describes their products as S.M.A.R.T. skin perfecting products, S.M.A.R.T. stands for: Smoothing, Moisturizing, Anti-Aging, Redness Reducing, and Toning. All Grand Central Beauty products are manufactured in the USA, and contain no parabens, sulfates, or petro chemicals. All fragrances found in their skincare are naturally derived, and allergen free.
Ginger used her background in chemistry to develop formulas that are effective on all skin types, ethnicities, and genders. The Grand Central Beauty’s skincare line consists of a polisher, mask, serum, and their recently added mood brightening parfum. The products have been even been used for skin conditions such as rosacea and eczema, and have shown vast improvements to the condition of the skin. The mask is also gentle enough to use on the face after laser treatments; it will actually help in the healing process because it reduces inflammation.
I asked the ladies what everyone’s daily routine should consist of, and they insisted that cleansing, exfoliation, moisturizing, and sunblock application should be done on a daily basis to promote beautiful, healthy skin.
Their products range in price from $38 to $68 and can be purchased on their website. They also have an express facial kit sold at Urban Outfitters.com for $32. It has a trial size of their polisher, mask, and serum; a great way to try their products out before committing to purchasing them in full size.