Beauty brand icon, founder and president of Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Ltd. and creator of jane iredale cosmetics, Jane Iredale received the International Spa Association (ISPA) 2014 Visionary Award at the 24th annual ISPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas.
The industry veteran who built her own brand after recognising a gap in the market for products that catered to sensitive skin and used natural ingredients, was presented with the prestigious Visionary Award in front of her peers at the ceremony in Las Vegas, which took place during the ISPA Conference & Expo.
The Visionary Award is presented each year to someone in the spa industry who has made significant contributions to both the definition and positive movement of health and wellness over the lifetime of their career. Iredale was recognised for enhancing the lives of women by being the first to supply the aesthetic industry with a full line of makeup that was good for the skin.
With a background in film, theatre and television, Iredale spent much of her early career witnessing the negative effects traditional makeup products had on models and actresses with skin sensitivities.
Recognising a niche, Iredale introduced her first mineral foundation, Amazing Base, in 1994, providing a makeup product that both beautified and nurtured skin, forever changing the landscape of the makeup industry.
With distribution rooted in spas, salons and medical clinics, the jane iredale brand has since flourished into a full line with more than 400 items distributed nation-wide and into more than 40 international markets.
Iredale was presented the award by ISPA chairman Michael Tompkins, and Yummie Tummie creator, Heather Thompson.
“There’s no greater accolade than being recognized by the people who inspire you, and you have always inspired me,” Iredale said as she addressed conference attendees during her acceptance speech.
She paralleled the evolution of ISPA and the Visionary Award with the growth of her own line, which celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year.
“For me, [this award] means running a company where we take pride in the products that leave our warehouse, where our partners are appreciated, where our employees are cared for, and where our footprints on the environment are as light as we can make them,” Iredale said.
The beauty entrepreneur closed by encouraging members of the spa industry to continue making a valuable difference, both independently and as a community.
“No matter how small or large your business, we can all join hands and know that together we’re strong enough to survive any adversity, and powerful enough to make the world pay attention.”