Alumni

Grad Lesley Thornton Launches Clean Beauty Brand KLUR

Visual Communications Graduate Lesley Thornton, an esthetician and former TV makeup expert, has launched a clean, ethical, and inclusive beauty line, KLUR, which was recently covered in Essence. She developed the seven-piece collection after years of formulating products for her private clients. 

Lesley's foray into beauty began during her teenage years. “I just knew that I loved beauty stuff. I grew up in a mostly Asian community, so I was pressing Asian girls’ hair," she told Essence. "There were no flatirons. There was no YouTube. My dad was watching the football game in the living room and I was in the back pressing girls’ hair.” 

Positions at Laura Mercier, Estée Lauder, and MAC followed, and after graduating from FIDM in 2005, she struck out on her own as a professional freelance makeup artist. The Compton, California native was even featured on the TLC show Randy to the Rescue as the in-house makeup and skincare expert. 

“Around 2010 I realized a lot of people were doing makeup but nobody was really talking about skin," she said. "I would sit down with someone in the makeup chair for an editorial or for a wedding or whatever, and clients were asking me how to take care of their skin. I just did not have the answer.” 

Lesley went back to school to become an esthetician, and in 2012, she opened her own shop in Los Angeles where she would formulate products for her clients so they could care for their skin in between appointments. She eventually worked with chemists for three years on her high-performance line and KLUR was officially born. 

She sourced ingredients locally and developed eco-friendly packaging. The plant-based seven-piece collection includes serums, face oils, a cleanser, and an exfoliating powder that unclogs pores and stimulates cell turnover. “There are a lot of brands that do not have good intention. I think this is such a well thought out, well curated brand, and it’s well considered in every single way," she added. 

Visit klur.co to learn more.

Categories:  Beauty Business Management Beauty Marketing & Product Development Visual Communication Alumni