By Shadine Ménard
When I met Roque at The Makeup Show, in NYC earlier this year, I was struck by a) how smooth and perfect his skin and eyebrows look and b) how funny and down-to-earth he is. Roque interacted with his staff, customers and other press effortlessly, all while talking to me about new products and giving out makeup advice without missing a beat. Maybe, his ability to talk a mile a minute facilitated his multi-tasking. And he had a lot to say…
The Puerto-Rican/Italian son of an artist growing up in the ‘70s, Roque Cozzette had a natural artistic aptitude. By the time he was in high school, he already knew what he wanted to do. He was doing braids, extensions, and dreads and got his aesthetician license in 1984. He never took a makeup class although he is known as a great makeup artist and teacher.
In 2003, makeup artist Roque Cozzette joined Kett Cosmetics as Director of Makeup. Kett Cosmetics was founded in 2000 by makeup artist and educator, Sheila McKenna. All Kett products are vegan. None are tested on animals, instead they are tested in a high-definition, digital studio to ensure a flawless finish both on and off camera.
SM, Shine Beauty Culture: How did you discover your love for cosmetics, start applying makeup?
RC: I wanted to do it all. I’m a detective.
In the 90s, Roque worked Shisheido’s retail counters and says it was the best stomping ground to practice multi-ethnic makeup and coloration. He credits Naomi Simms makeup line as being one of the first for Black women and inspiring him. MAC enlisted him as a trainer and brought him to NY to open the first MAC pro store. Roque soon branched out as freelancer. He and friend, Sheila McKenna realized they had the same goals and energy and started creating and testing makeup products in the studio, comparing how the makeup looked in pictures, onscreen and in person. They had never found a cosmetics line that excelled in all three areas and thought this was a way to find one so that they can use as artists.
SM, Shine Beauty Culture: So, how did you decide to take this project and turn it into Kett Cosmetics?
RC: We never intended to create a makeup brand, just be better artists. But after x amount of focus groups… I was focused on freelancing so Sheila started Kett herself and once I got off tour (with Christina Milian as her makeup artist and hairdresser), I helped her finish launching Kett.
SM, Shine Beauty Culture: When did you know that Kett was a success?
RC: There are a lot of milestones, but one year (celebrity makeup artist) Fran Cooper called and said “I need Kett for Janet’s 20. I only want to use Kett”. Since then… they used (Kett) on Sex and the City 2… that collective experience makes me feel like ‘now, we’re serious!’ Being mentioned and appreciated.
Photo.KettCosmetics.com Gallery
RC: I feel like God gives us situations that create competition in our lives. We can choose positivity or negativity. I chose to focus on positivity. Share knowledge.
SM, Shine Beauty Culture: What do you teach in your seminars?
RC: I teach the laws of attraction in seminars. We are attracted to those we’re like. Project positivity. Focus on what you love. I get them (the students) on track to where they need to go. Makeup training.
Because Roque knows so much about cosmetic products from working for different brands in addition to creating his own, I asked him for some of his non-Kett favorites. They include drugstore staple Cetaphil, Nurturing Force® Blot Out Offensive Shine + Oil Control Cream and Embroyolisse lait crème concentré.
As for Kett products, Roque decided to show me rather than just tell me how good they are. The new Kett Jet airbrush compressor was created to provide “light and airy” coverage. It’s created for professional use, but can be used by makeup savvy consumers. Roque took all but 10 minutes to use Kett Jet on my face, eyes and cheeks, giving me full coverage and glow while keeping my look natural.
Seeing his technique and approach first hand, coupled with his sentiments on beauty and his inspiration solidified to me that Roque Cozzette is a Shining Star!
“{My beauty inspiration} is more organic. I believe in oneness. I can draw on colors of a bird or orchid or textures of food. Always divine, organic. Faith is my path; I want it to come naturally.” ~Roque Cozzette
