A model shows off some Dr. Jen colors (Image: Atomic Cosmetics via Facebook)

(Images: Dr. Jen’s House of Beauty)

Armed with dramatic lip colors, bold eye shadow pallets, and luxurious body care products, Dr. Jen, as she’s known around Capitol Hill, has plans in place to streamline her neighborhood-based Atomic Cosmetics production with new makeup machinery.

With an eye shadow press, lipstick machine, and eyeliner pencil machine, Jen Dietrich says her growing E Pike company will be able to simplify a process currently done in her open lab that’s super labor intensive.

Formerly located within Retail Therapy, she’s since opened her Dr. Jen’s House of Beauty shop on the corner of Pike and Boylston, turning what was once a smoke shop into a toxin-free cosmetics lab and house of beauty thanks in part to glitter, chandeliers, and loads of pink.

“I wasn’t really sure how Seattle was going to respond to an open lab, but people love it. I can tell you I’m making this non-toxic makeup, but you’re actually watching me make it.”

While the storefront has given the product line exposure, the new machines will be able to churn out a ton of makeup. “18 hours will turn into 15 seconds, instead of being limited by the number of clamps we have, or the space we have, this will make it more efficient,” said Diterich.

In the beginning, Dietrich never dreamed she’d start a makeup line. She first found success backstage after falling in with the burlesque crowd. “I couldn’t believe the harsh makeup they were putting on their skin,” says Dietrich.

“I thought, it’s just emulsion chemistry, I’m going to do this.” But in truth, starting her own makeup line wasn’t a huge leap explains Dietrich, who has a Ph.D in Biochemistry/Biophysics with a focus on the cellular mechanisms of aging.

Creating each product — typically priced between $15-$30 — involves a lot of trial and error, but Dietrich has it down to a science. In fact, she often creates custom makeup and skincare formulas for her clients. With her trade in your toxins program, she encourages customers to bring in their favorite eye color, lipstick or foundation so she can match the color and then replace it with a healthier formula. Some clients are so sensitive, Dietrich will build a custom skincare formula. “In the end we end up with a formula that works for them, without any skin reactions,” she said.

If you’d like to learn how to contour, or how to create the perfect day to night look should keep an eye out for fall and winter class listings, as well as Atomic’s two year anniversary party coming up in October at the Century Ballroom.

Learn more about Dr. Jen’s House of Beauty and shop her online store at colorsthatgoboom.com.