After retiring from her 18-year term in Jamaican Parliament last fall, former Miss World Lisa Hanna is unveiling her next endeavor: a beauty brand.
Called Lisa Hanna Beauty, the seven-piece luxury skin care line, now available direct-to-consumer and at The Spa by Equinox Hotels, was guided by an ethos Hanna calls “aging intelligently.”
“People generally want to erase the evidence of [aging] — you’re told to fight, to correct, to reverse,” Hanna said. “I believe you’re not less with time, you’re more. I wanted to build a product that understands and can communicate with your skin at a deeper level.”
Each product in the range features the brand’s signature “quantum ReCP technology,” a combination of lipids, vitamin C and matrikin peptides, which claim to support the skin’s natural regeneration processes.
Products range from $50 for the Hydra Dew Elixir and Advanced Balance Cleanser to $130 for The Serum, said to refine skin texture and boost hydration. Other products include a Fade Balm meant to address dark spots; a shimmering face and body oil, and The Moisture Crème moisturizer.
Hanna anticipates the range could exceed $1 million in sales during its first year on the market.
“Have I chosen to enter a saturated market? Absolutely. Have I chosen something that is globally competitive? Yes, but that is how I have always lived my life. I enjoy the rigor, I enjoy the competitiveness, and I believe I’ve created a line that can not only survive in this realm, but thrive in it.”
The Lisa Hanna Beauty Luminous Face + Body Glow Oil
Courtesy
Hanna, who grew up in rural Jamaica, won Miss World in 1993 when she was 18 and became a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador at the same age. She later entered politics, and today operates her namesake Lisa Hanna Foundation, which aims to help address education, mental health and housing needs in Jamaica.
With the launch of Lisa Hanna Beauty, 5 percent of profits will go toward supporting the work of the Lisa Hanna Foundation.
“This is a mission-driven brand; we want to break systemic cycles that discourage empowerment,” said Hanna, who did not grow up the the pageantry world, though her 1993 Miss World run played a formative role in developing her relationship with beauty.
“I was not that girl, but once I got to Miss World, I learned the tricks of the trade; how to do your makeup, how to make sure your hair doesn’t frizz — that Turkey does the best blow-dry in the world,” laughed Hanna. “I enjoy beauty. It’s a duality of my personality, and one of the things many people couldn’t figure out [when I was] in politics.”
Upcoming products from Lisa Hanna Beauty could include a face and body exfoliant and a vitamin-rich lip treatment.
“We want to introduce three products in the coming year, but stay with our core competencies,” Hanna said, adding that the feedback of her community will also play a key role in the brand’s future.
“I used to read every comment as a member of parliament, and still do, because it’s important to gauge commentary and adjust; to know your customer. That is something I will be paying attention to.”
