Alima Pure profile: Camellia Pure Beauty

We’re delighted to introduce Emily Headen of Camellia Pure Beauty. Located here in Portland, Emily carries a terrific selection of Alima Pure products, among other natural makeup and skincare lines. Everything Emily touches radiates loveliness, and we’re honored to be included in her collection.

Thanks for joining us, Emily. Can you tell us a bit about your background and past experience?
Before I moved back to Portland in 2000, I worked for the Environmental Working Group (home of the Skin Deep Cosmetics Database) in Washington DC as a research analyst.  I worked mainly on corporate accountability issues, but learned a lot about toxins in the products and food we consume every day.  The years I spent working there made me realize how important it was to have alternatives available. People would always ask, “I shouldn’t use this, but what should I use instead?”  Now I have plenty of answers to that question, at least as far as makeup and skincare go.

What inspired you to start Camellia?
I have sensitive skin, fragrance allergies, and high performance standards for my cosmetics. It was difficult to find products that were safe for me to use and that I really liked using.  I was tired of playing roulette in the personal care aisle of the natural foods store.  So I put my research skills to use and found many promising product lines that had to be ordered over the internet.  There was no way to try them without buying full sized products and paying for shipping. I realized there is a need for a brick and mortar place to try and buy non-toxic (but beautiful!) cosmetics as people become more conscious about the junk in their personal care products.

What do people love about Camellia Pure Beauty?
The thing people most often comment on is how good it smells when they walk it.  The boutique smells very refreshing and non-overwhelming because I only stock products scented with essential oils.  They also love that they can try all the testers. People often joke about how they have run out of room on their skin to try another product.  I think they also appreciate that they don’t have to think too hard about what the label says because I have already screened the ingredients to make sure the product doesn’t contain parabens, petroleum, artificial fragrances, phthalates, or harsh detergents like sodium laurel sulfate.  Even if they have a specific allergy or sensitivity, I usually have a pretty good idea of which products to look at first because I know what is in everything I sell.

How do you define beauty?
You are beautiful when you know and respect yourself and live with passion.  That kind of beauty radiates deep from within and nothing on your visible surface can diminish it.  But I still love Alima for improving my visible surface.

What are the other ‘don’t miss’ gems in your neighborhood?
Fremont Street in general is an undiscovered gem in Portland.  There are great little shops and restaurants all up and down the street.  I especially love “Found on Fremont.”  It is a continually changing treasure trove of handmade items and secondhand furniture, jewelry and clothing.  Then there is always the sour cream coffee cake at Jim and Patty’s Coffee.  I don’t know if it really is world famous, but it should be.

Anything else you’d like to share?
Just how much I love and appreciate my customers. My customers make going to work every day a joy, and many have become friends over the years.

Camellia Pure Beauty
4759 NE Fremont St.
Portland, OR 97213
503.287.4645