BlackVoices recently chatted with Riley to discuss what differentiates her from the plethora of brands in the cosmetics industry and her advice for budding entrepreneurs.

Was there a single 'A-ha' moment that spawned FSL Cosmetics?

I knew I wanted to have a career in the cosmetics industry since the first day my mom took me to a department store and purchased my first loose powder. I suffered with acne as an adolescent and a young adult. Not only did the makeup conceal my blemishes, but it helped build my self-esteem. Since then, I knew I wanted to be behind the scenes helping to revolutionize beauty worldwide.

You have a degree in chemical engineering, how did you go from the lab to working with lip gloss?

I always wanted to have a cosmetics line. It was very hard for me to get a job at one of the major cosmetic companies located in the northeast. I called and sent my resume and cover letter a dozen times. Unfortunately, I didn't get a job like I planned. However, I wasn't going to let that stop me from reaching my goals. Since I couldn't work for someone, I decided to teach myself and start my own company.

What makes your line different from others on the market?

Because I like to travel and learn about different cultures, I want to showcase and incorporate exotic fruits from around the world in my makeup. Not only will people learn about unique ingredients, but they will also see how these uncommon items can be integrated into our daily products. And you won't find too many female chemical engineers with their own cosmetic lines.

All of your products are Eco-friendly and hypoallergenic. Why did you decide to embrace the use of natural ingredients?

As an engineer, I'm always looking for ways to be more efficient with everything I do. Instead of lipsticks and lip glosses just giving you great color, I wanted it to be good for your skin also. No lip balm or Vaseline is needed with my products.

What's the process like for making your products from scratch?

First, I make sure my lab is spotless and that all lab tools are disinfected. Then I gear up with my PPE (personal protective equipment), weigh out ingredients, and assemble the necessary phases. Once the final product is created, I package and label each item by hand. As you can probably imagine, a lot of love goes into each lip gloss and lipstick.

What made you start the line with lip gloss and lipstick, versus other products?

I decided to start small, then add to the line later. I asked myself, "What do women keep in their purses and replenish throughout the day?" Lipsticks and lip glosses!

Are there plans in the near future to expand the line to include products like foundation, blush, etc.?

Yes, I plan to create the complete color cosmetics line. Once I finish the line for ladies, I want to launch a men's skin care line called FSL Platinum.

What advice do you have for others who want to start their own business?

With anything you do in life, stay positive, honest and humble. Hard work always pays off. I still have my day job as an engineer and I work on FSL Cosmetics at night. As you can imagine I do not get a lot of sleep, but I don't worry too much about sleeping. I figure I can sleep when I'm on my private jet to Seychelles.

For more information on FSL Cosmetics, visit the FSL website.