The Cova Lipstick: In Conversation with Louise Griffin
Australian boutique lipstick label Lou Lou Lips has created the Cova lipstick as a way to support the work of The Cova Project. We sat down with the founder of Lou Lou Lips, Louise Griffin to find out all about the lipstick, the business and what’s next for the brand.
What sparked the creation of Lou Lou Lips?
Having been a makeup artist for many years, I always found applying the lip product at the end of the makeup application to be the trickiest part. I could apply a product from my kit but my client wouldn’t be able to take it with them to touch up as needed while attending their event. I could ask them what lipsticks they had but the colours they had might not suit the makeup I had done. This sparked the creation of Lou Lou Lips, being able to offer my client a lipstick to take with them at the end of the service, by having a range of colours and formulas to offer.
How has your business evolved over the years?
Five years on, with 16 products, an online store and over 100 stockists, Lou Lou Lips has evolved into an affordable, luxe boutique brand used by some of Australia’s best makeup artists.
What's been your biggest lesson along the way?
Just keep going. You never know what’s around the corner.
Don’t forget to take a step back and look how far you’ve come.
Celebrate the wins.
What's your proudest achievement?
Honestly, partnering with The Cova Project has been my proudest achievement.
How did you come across The Cova Project?
I knew I wanted to do a charity collaboration lipstick, but I wasn’t sure which charity to partner with. Lou Lou Lips is a feminist brand, so it had to align with our values. I was Googling “charities that benefit women” one day and stumbled across The Cova Project and their mission really resonated with me. I was blown away by the incredible work The Cova Project was doing and just knew this was the charity we had to partner with.
Did you know about period poverty prior to finding The Cova Project?
Embarrassingly, no. I had never thought about it. Which made me realise how privileged I am and we are, as a society.
How has your knowledge of period poverty evolved since beginning this collaboration?
Since the beginning of this collaboration, my knowledge of period poverty has evolved immensely. Knowing that without access to safe sanitary products, girls and women fall behind in education, work and life. It’s become clear to me how important the work is that Geena and everyone at The Cova Project does.
What motivates you for this collaboration?
Knowing that with every purchase of a Cova lipstick we can help make a difference in a woman’s life. Every woman should get an equal shot at life to be whoever they want to be. Knowing that we can help this cause with a simple lipstick makes me so grateful.
What do you hope Lou Lou Lips can achieve?
I hope that we can sell out of the Cova lipstick and help The Cova Project to achieve change.
For every Cova lipstick sold, Lou Lou Lips will donate the equivalent of one menstrual cup to The Cova Project.
Get yours today: louloulips.com/products/copy-of-the-cova-lipstick