Why I Started Hello Wink: A Plastic-Free Beauty Journey

Why I Started Hello Wink: A Plastic-Free Beauty Journey

Hi, I’m Francesca — the founder, maker, behind Hello Wink.

Like many of you, I’ve always loved makeup. I’ve also spent years battling sensitive skin and allergic reactions to store-bought beauty products. After trying everything on the market and still coming up short, I started crafting my own cosmetics in small batches over a decade ago. What began as a personal project quickly became a passion.

But Hello Wink didn’t officially come to life until the middle of the pandemic.

At a time when so much felt out of our control, I found myself looking closely at the everyday products I used — not just how they affected my skin, but also how they impacted the planet. I learned that millions of plastic lip balm tubes end up in landfills and oceans every year. That hit me hard.

So I decided to make a change — and a brand.

Hello Wink was born out of two beliefs:

  1. Makeup should be kind to your skin.

  2. Makeup should be kind to the planet.

Every Hello Wink product is handmade by me in my Illinois studio. I use high-quality, skin-loving ingredients and package everything in plastic-free, compostable tubes — no waste, no guilt. My best-selling All Over Color Sticks are creamy, buildable, and multifunctional, designed to replace multiple items in your makeup bag while ditching the plastic completely.

I didn’t set out to start a business. I set out to make a difference — and to prove that sustainable beauty can still be fun, vibrant, and a little bit magical.

When you shop at Hello Wink, you're not just buying makeup. You’re supporting a woman-owned, handmade, small-batch business that truly cares.

Thanks for being here and for believing in a better way to glow.

xo,
Francesca

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