According to Onamia Chun, the Senior VP of Fuglylab.com: “The name, Fugly Lab, is the antithesis of the typical beauty company; this is exactly why I love the name so much. Fugly Lab is not like any other beauty company and it never will be.”

(Fugly Lab’s very own Onamia Chun.)

Chun also commonly uses this tagline: “Fighting Ugly One Sample at a Time.” Get it? With its catchy (and totally clever) company name, Fugly Lab offers sample-size sets of makeup, skincare, hair care, and bath and body products, while providing the huge benefit of trying before buying. Based in Los Angeles, Fugly Lab held their launch party early May this year, and although I wasn’t able to make it, the pictures from their event are available to the public. I always love that! It’s like a “See what you missed, and hope you can make it to our next event” sentiment. For sure.

(A pic from Fugly Lab’s LA launch party)

Because I am so impressed and thankful for Fugly Lab, you just know that I had to interview Chun. Enjoy:

Elana: Is Fugly Lab a one-woman show? Tell me about the team behind this fabulous line of sample size products for women of color?

Onamia: On the surface it may appear to be a one-woman show, but I cannot say I do it all by myself. Fugly lab is compromised of a dedicated group of youngsters (my three kids), a phenomenal IT guru (my husband), and a product junkie (me). In addition, my extended family and friends are big supporters and helpers, especially when things get busy. I really would not be able to do this without their help.

EP: I am in love with my soy grapefruit collection (which my boyfriend helped use up!). I’ve never smelled anything like it, plus it’s the perfect size. What are your personal Fugly Lab favorites?

OC: The Fizzy Habit Bath Bombs are a family favorite. I absolutely love the white tea and ginger scent. I love taking long baths. The best part about these bombs is that when you get out, you body is total moisturized so you do not need any other lotion or oils. I leave the bath bombs in the bathroom and around the house. Our house smells so nice. Another favorite is the Margarita Bloom’s Fabulous Favors. All her scents are “kick yo’ mama” fabulous. I am not sure how she does it, but the scents from her body butters last all day long. However, a product I cannot live without is the Curls Soufflé cream. My hair would be a frizzy mess of tangled and dry curls without it.

One can clearly see that I am my best customer. This is the greatest part of having your own business. I absolutely love what I do. I use and enjoy the products I sell on a daily basis. Basically, Fugly Lab is a legal, tax-deductible way for me to sustain my product junkie tendencies.

EP: What is your number one goal with Fugly Lab?

OC: The number one goal of Fugly Lab is to provide women of color an opportunity to try new products and brands without the cost or commitment of the full-size version.

A close second, to the first goal, is for cosmetic companies to recognize the value in letting the consumer select the samples instead of blindly sending samples out to various demographics. I would like the cosmetic companies to view Fugly Lab as a go-to source to launch new products/brands.

EP: Before you launched your company, what was your day-to-day job?

OC: A long time ago in a faraway land, I was a geologist. I have taken way more science courses than the average human should ever take. I decided to make a career switch when I realized getting dirty and camping outside would be basic requirements for the job.

I am also a stay-at-home mother of three wonderful children. But I would not consider that a day to day job, more like a day-to-night-to-day job.

EP: For women who have possibly never heard of Fugly Lab, what is its single most important selling point?

OC: Every woman at some point has spent $50 on a cream because Oprah or another celebrity said it was fantastic. Unfortunately, many times the $50 cream does not work for her. Other times, a department store has given women samples of new products, but how many times has she thrown away a too pink lipstick or too light foundation? As consumers, women should be able to choose exactly the product they want to sample. Women should not be forced to fill-out a long survey, buy another product, or try to earn incentive points to try a sample-size version of a new product. Fugly Lab gives total control back to women to select the exact product they want to sample and nothing else. Fugly Lab brings simplicity back into the world of cosmetic samples. Fugly Lab. Select. Sample. Simple.

…So in addition, Chun is offering one fortunate Beauty Chat reader the chance to win a $25 gift certificate to use on Fuglylab.com. Comment on this post and tell us what you would purchase if you won. I will choose the random contest winner Monday, July 28.

Also, if you shop today through the 28th, you will get 20% off you entire purchase before tax and shipping. Coupon code: BCHAT. (A $5 minimum purchase, and excludes the Anna Sui Mini Rouge lip color.)

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Onamia Chun and Fuglylab.com