Like millions of other girls out there, I grew up wanting to be model. For years, I would stand in front of a mirror, practicing my best smize, tuning in religiously every week to America's Next Top Model, and imitating the contestants' poses to a tee. When 17-year-old Zach Dishinger was growing up, however, he was already making his dreams of being a makeup mogul a reality. He was making his own products, experimenting with new ingredients, and trying out different elaborate looks that wowed everyone around him.
And while my modeling dreams eventually faded, Dishinger kept at his tirelessly by working into the wee hours of the morning researching what goes into creating a makeup line; eventually, he became one of beauty's youngest CEO's and brand owners ever. His lipstick line, Formula Z Cosmetics, is growing rapidly and finding its way on the lips of influencers and celebrities everywhere, including Cardi B.
So how does someone so young create a brand that's flying off of shelves in mega-retailer Bloomingdale's? I spoke with Dishinger to find out for myself, and the answer were inspiring.
When Cardi B hit the stage at the Bonnaroo Music Festival on June 16, magic was made.
And no, we're not talking about that epic bathrobe wardrobe malfunction — we're referring to her makeup. With her face beat by her longtime makeup artist Erika La'Pearl, the hip-hop superstar took to the stage looking absolutely flawless with a blush-colored lip that everyone immediately needed to have. And after being inundated with questions about where that mesmerizing lip combo came from, La'Pearl gave everyone the answer.
"On her lips was a Last night #glam on my boo @IamCardiB from my new fave @FormulaZCosmetics created by teen makeup genius @ZachDishinger. On her #lips, I used lipstick in Jocelyn and I placed lipgloss in obsession right in the center of her lips. Love how sparkly and shiny these are!" she exclaimed in an Instagram post.
But who is this teen makeup mogul La'Pearl was referring to? That's what we wanted to know.
His name is Zach Dishinger, a 17-year-old Florida native and upcoming makeup powerhouse whose lip brand, Formula Z Cosmetics, is taking over the industry. His love for makeup spans over a decade, and with the support of his parents Tara and Jim Dishinger, he's been able to turn his passion for transforming a face with products into dollar signs. In 2018, Forbes called the teenager a "business genius" for his entrepreneurial spirit and makeup application skills that far surpassed his age.
So when I got the opportunity to chat with the teen about LGBTQ rights, his love for makeup, and what it feels like to see your product on one of the biggest music stars of our generation, I couldn't resist. And because the beauty industry's forerunners continue to get younger and younger, Revelist had to find out how all these kids got so dang successful.
For Dishinger, the driving force behind his brand is true purpose.
As a member of the LGBTQ community and a person who's faced bullying for wearing makeup, he wanted to create a brand that stood for something more than just profit. So upon seeing his lipsticks on the likes of an outspoken and unapologetic celeb such as Cardi B, his mission felt as if it had come full circle.
"I look up to Cardi B so much because of her individuality and the lyrics that she puts in the songs," Dishinger told Revelist. "So when she was wearing the product, it was kind of a moment for me to see that Cardi supports brands that have a similar mindset that she does. You know, Cardi supports brands that speak up for the greater good. Furthermore, her makeup artist, Erika La'Pearl, is known for doing research into what the brands do for the community; she doesn't just slap a product on her client's face. So it was surreal to me that she thought my brand worthy, but it's been my goal all along."
And when Formula Z's newest product, the Luxe Diamond Gloss, launched just in time for Pride Month, Dishinger knew he had to do something special.
The ultra-sparkling gloss was added to Bloomingdale's roster for its Pride For All installation of The Carousel. All-year-round, a portion of all the proceeds from every lippie sold is donated to The Trevor Project, a national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention to LGBTQ youth.
"At the heart of Formula Z is a belief that makeup is empowering and a form of self-expression for everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, or race," Dishinger said. "I'm proud to be in company with iconic retailer Bloomingdale's as we celebrated LGBTQ culture and the progress made in our continued pursuit of equality."
So how does one create a Cardi B-worthy product? The answer is simple: quality ingredients, versatility, and longevity.
The vegan and 100% cruelty-free lip products are packed with shea butter, jojoba oils, and sunflower, and they're easily to layer for any desired look. Take Cardi's combo for instance, which paired the Matte Liquid Lipstick in Jocelyn with Luxe Diamond Gloss in Obsessed.
"For long-wear, especially with Cardi and her performances, the best part is that she can wear our Matte Liquid Lipstick but she can still get the longevity of that matte-like transfer-proof [formula] when she layers the gloss," he said. "Basically, if Cardi wants to be dripping in her gloss but wants the all-day-wear of a lipstick, she can still have the rich pigmentation of a matte liquid but with the glossy and glamorous finish of our Diamond Gloss. That's what I wanted, products that work together."
So in an era of beauty brands behaving badly, we'll continue to celebrate and support the ones that are making a difference in the world while providing us with killer formulas at the same time. This young beauty billionaire in the making is doing just that, and he's showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Forever Lips Matte Liquid Lipstick in Jocelyn ($18, Formula Z)
This pink-petal nude shade boasts a striking, richly pigmented, and opaque color that stays on for hours! The signature formula lavishly coats lips in a creamy suede finish, infused with moisturizing Vitamin E. And if Cardi can perform an almost hour-long set without this color budging, we're confident it will stay all day on you, too.
Luxe Diamond Gloss in Obsessed ($18, Formula Z)
This peachy nude shade with a champagne sparkle and high shine is a must-have for gloss lovers. The new dreamy and rich Luxe Diamond Glosses luxuriously transforms lips in lightweight, non-sticky shine and are infused with decadent sparkle. Enriched with kissably soft and moisturizing ingredients to enhance natural lips, this magically alters Formula Z’s Forever Lips into a wet, glossy version.
