Ramy Gafni's philosophy is simple; “Minimum makeup, Maximum impact!” . His viewpoint keeps him quite busy with celebrity clients such as : Britney Spears, Nicole Richie, David Spade, Timothy Hutton, Katherine Heigl, Mariska Hargitay, Liev Schrieber,Marisa Tomei, Matt Dillon, Gina Gershon, Halle Berry, Naomi Campbell, Ivanka Trump, Amanda Sorvino, Ray Romano, Joan Rivers, Cher, Faith Hill, Meredith Viera, Barbara Walters, Joy and Regis Philbin, Debra Messing and Renee Zellweger. That's just to name a few!
Ramy’s work has been seen in publications such as Allure, Glamour, OK, People, Star among many others. His work has also been seen on national television shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show, E! Entertainment Television’s Fashion File and Entertainment Tonight. Ramy’s looks have also graced the runways of recognizable fashion shows such as Valentino and XOXO.
Ramy's life hasn't always been so glamorous. At the age of 31, he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma which inspired him to create his own beauty line, Ramy Beauty Therapy.
Ramy took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for us. This well-known master of beauty will truly inspire you.
What was your inspiration for your product line?
I had just survived a bout with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma while working as Makeup director at a top Fifth avenue salon where the pressure to look good was intense. I realized the power of makeup and looking good. Regarding the brand itself, I wanted to both share my minimalist philosophy as well as create products that are good for your skin (hence the name RAMY beauty therapy).
You are the King of Eyebrow shaping! How did you learn the art of perfecting the brow?
I'm self taught where shaping eyebrows is concerned. I can tell you that I doodled eyes and eyebrows on all my notebooks as a kid, so clearly I had some kind of awareness of the aesthetic of a beautiful brow from an early age. When I became Makeup Director at the Fifth Avenue salon, they said, "You're the Makeup Director, so you'll be in charge of eyebrows" and I agreed and started practicing on the staff. It turned out I had a good eye for it, so they started lining up and then began to book me clients. Shortly thereafter I was quoted in an eyebrow article in Vogue and that solidified me as an expert.
If I were to peek in your personal product bag, what would I find?
You'd find a prototype of a new product I have in development, the Perfect Lip Tint. It's a lip balm that's leaves the perfect amount of color on your lips, my Lip Oil in Orange (it tastes like a creamsicle!), My Skin stick # 3 concealer and lots of gum!
What is your favorite spa treatment and where do you go to enjoy this luxury?
Massage! Anywhere I can get it!! The last one, which was great, was at The Great Jones Spa in Manhattan. A client had given me a gift certificate and it was about to expire.
At the age of 31, you were diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.When facing such a difficult time, it's hard to remain confident about your image. What advice can you give our readers that are facing situations such as this? What tip can you share that gives these ladies (and men) the confident to look in the mirror and say "I AM BEAUTIFUL" ?
My gut reaction was to answer, "Smile!" and seriously, it will make you feel better and look better. Cosmetically speaking, the essentials that can help most everyone are: Concealer, Highlighter, eyeliner if you suffer lash loss and brow filler if you suffer eyebrow loss. A brighter than usual lip gloss is a great way to brighten up your face when you're not feeling your best.
You have worked with some of the most high profile celebrities in the world. On the outside, yes they are gorgeous but I want to know how you define true beauty. What does TRUE BEAUTY mean to you?
True beauty to me is inner beauty. It sounds cliche, but how many times have you met someone physically stunning only to find them less attractive if they lack charm, charisma or are simply not nice? Conversely, someone who seems plain at first looks better and better when you see the beauty inside.
Any last words?
The most important beauty tool is an open mind! Don't get into a rut. Keep an open mind to learn about new products and techniques and you will always look your best! Be sure to sign up for my newsletter on www.RAMY.com for special promotions and "like" RAMY cosmetics on Facebook or Ramybeauty on Twitter!
