Mary Jo Matsumoto is the creator of “Trust Your Style” and the street style blog “On PCH” two of my favorite on-line fashion sites. We met last year at a blogging event and I was immediately impressed. Not only does she write about personal style, she designs and produces her own line of couture apparel as well as a collection of beautiful purses. When I heard that she had created a line of nail polish I was intrigued. Knowing she wouldn’t bother to make something that wasn’t absolutely top-notch I bought two colors from her first collection. They did not disappoint. I have soft nails and have struggled with chipping nail polish for years so I can say without hesitation that her nail lacquers simply refuse to chip. And the colors? They’re fantastic. In the photo below I’m wearing “Crystal Cove”, one of my favorites. It’s now been on my toes, chip free, for over a month.
“Crystal Cove” Nail Polish
I really wanted to know more about the polish so I asked for an interview to which she graciously accepted.
An Interview with Mary Jo Matsumoto
TSC – You’re a fashion designer and you sell a line of gorgeous purses. What made you decide to start a line of nail polish as well?
Mary Jo – First, I just want to say thanks so much for asking me to stop by Heather!
I’ve been a beauty editor for the past 6 years, writing about natural/organic luxury beauty options at Affluent Magazine, a national hardcopy magazine with residential and private jet distribution. My column is also online every issue. That interest inspired me to develop my own line of healthy beauty products to go with my line of handbags and clothing and I love how beauty goes hand in hand with fashion. The 4FREE polish is what was ready first, but there are more goodies on the way.
TSC – I know from personal discussions that you’re interested in wearing only natural makeup and chemical free nail polish. Please tell me a little about “4 FREE”.
Mary Jo – Once you know about the stuff in makeup and products that are linked to cancer/birth defects and long-term illness, it’s hard to go back. I was so happy that I could make a 4FREE line which means the polish contains no formaldehyde (a harmful ingredient that a major nail polish co is currently in a multi-million dollar lawsuit over), no DBP/dibutyl phtalate, toulene, or camphor. The thing most people notice right away is that because it’s camphor free, 4FREE polish doesn’t have that icky nail polish smell.
“Wet Sand” nail polish
TSC – I love that you live by the ocean and are inspired by the California coast. The polish “Wet Sand” really does look like sparkly wet sand! How did you go about creating your colors?
Mary Jo – This is probably not the most professional answer, but I’ve just been having fun and picking colors I really wanted to wear myself–ha!
TSC – Can you share some of your color plans or inspiration for future collections?
Mary Jo – We’re just now launching the Sea Creatures trio, which is super bright and I thought would be a really fun perk up in the dreary winter months worn with darks, but it will also transition right into Valentines Day and spring. We also have a new Naked at the Beach Trio launching which is a pretty range of nudes and pale pinks. I’m working on summer right now – super-happy carefree colors, but that won’t be coming for a few more months.
The Naked at the Beach Trio
TSC – What are your personal favorite colors?
Mary Jo – Even though “Crystal Cove” was the most popular color we launched so far, personally I can never get enough of the navy “Midnight at Ritz Cove” in the winter, and I loved wearing it this year with “Trestles” , a shimmery deep blue, or “Emerald Bay”, a shimmery teal, on top…but now I have become addicted to the new red “Zuma Jellyfish” – it’s a bright easy red to wear, not too harsh and has a glossy translucent quality to it that I really love.
The Beach View trio
Mary Jo Matsumoto’s nail polish is available on-line at her retail site MaryJoMatsumoto.com but purchase them quickly! She tells me she does not plan on going back into production on any of the winter colors, so if you would like some you’re going to have to get them soon. I will be ordering the “Naked at the Beach” trio today. So you know I purchased the polish on my own, and although Mary Jo and I are friends I did not write this article as a favor to her. I really like the product and think my readers will too.
Have you tried Mary Jo Matsumoto’s nail polish? What do you think of the colors and the lack of harsh chemical ingredients? Have you ever tried 4FREE nail polish before?
