How Positivity Influencer Alexis Farah Is Spreading Joy Through Her Beauty Website

As a seasoned beauty editor, Alexis Farah has come up with a new way of giving back to the world with her new website, Random Acts of Lipstick, where she focuses on products, brands and influencers that help create a positive impact on the world. We sat down to chat with her about what makes her website unique, why her parents are her biggest inspiration, and what we’d find if we raided her purse!

Your new website, Random Acts of Lipstick, is awesome! Congrats! With so many beauty websites on the market, what influenced you to want to create this type of site?
Thanks for the congrats! It feels great to be launching something I feel really passionate about. And you're right; there are so many wonderful beauty websites out there. I vowed to myself that when I launched my own site, it would be different. It would fill a hole in the market or satisfy a need. So it seemed like a natural fit for me to do a website that fused both beauty and giving back, since I've spent much of my life immersed in the two areas, and there wasn't an online resource for that combination. On Random Acts of Lipstick, readers will learn about brands they already know and love, or maybe lines that are new to them, that are taking steps to positively impact the world. You'll be adding to your beauty stash and giving back at the same time!

What non-profit organizations are you most passionate about right now and why?
There are so many organizations and foundations doing incredible things these days. The innovative ways they're raising funds and awareness is really impressive (thank you social media, amiright?) But the one I'm most passionate about right now is New Alternatives for Children, an organization that provides support for birth, foster, and adoptive families caring for children with special needs. I served on their Young Professionals board and saw firsthand the incredible work that they do. There is a consistent feeling of hope amongst the staff and families they serve, even in the most trying of times. Because I felt so strongly about supporting them, a portion of the proceeds from the Random Acts of Lipstick tote I'm selling on the site will benefit NAC.

Who or what inspires you?
My parents. They taught my brother and me to be thankful for everything that we have, and to remember those less fortunate. But it wasn't just that they told us, they showed us through example. Growing up, I watched them practice random acts of kindness in their daily lives and exercise compassion with everyone they encountered. I always try to follow their “do unto others” lead. 

What are some of your favorite eco-friendly beauty brands?
I hoard as much Pacifica as I can. Their wipes and fragrances are particularly out of this world. A newer favorite is The Seaweed Bath Co. that I learned about at the Natural Product Expo West. The brand's eucalyptus & peppermint body wash is such a comfort, even if you don't have a cold or flu. Another new favorite is Teadora, which I covered on the site. In addition to producing highly effective skincare, they have many unique initiatives to support the Amazon. 100% Pure, which is 100 percent natural and 100 percent vegan, has this coffee bean caffeine eye cream that I live for. It minimizes dark circles and smells like chocolate!

Let’s talk beauty. If we raided your purse, what beauty products would we find?
I mean, how much time do you have? Ha! I always keep a hand cream with me like The Body Shop’s new EINE Hemp Hand Protector. What I like about this one in particular is that for every cream purchased, $2.20 will be donated to protect and enrich the planet, the oceans, or animals and people. I have Tarte LipSurgence in Fiery in my purse for touchups throughout the day, and a Kiehl's lip balm in case I don't feel like applying color. Because I practice what I preach (and burn pretty much the second I step outside), I stash Dermalogica Pure Light SPF 50 in my bag to reapply regularly. It's meant for face but if I feel a spot on my body getting a little extra sun, I'll apply it there too! Plus all the other usual suspects: hand sanitizer, hair ties, on-the-go wipes (La Fresh has the best individually wrapped versions), and a mini roll-on scent like Define Me in Audry, which helps empower women and girls through fragrance.