Bellevue Resident Serves Up Natural Beauty

Gabriel DeSantino has a natural charisma about him that is undeniable. He also has a long history with natural skincare that began when he was a child living with his grandmother, a naturopath and herbalist, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Desantino uses both to promote his line of beauty products, Gabriel Cosmetics, which his grandmother began and named after him in those early years.

Gabriel Cosmetics is based in Redmond, and its products, which include Gabriel Organics skincare products and both the Gabriel and Zuzu natural cosmetic lines, are sold in organic grocery stores around the area such as Whole Foods and PCC, and are distributed throughout the US, Canada, and the UK.

“The skincare is ocean-derived,” DeSantino says, building on the natural seawater, kelp and seaweed products originated by his grandmother. “Seawater is our number one ingredient.”

DeSantino has built on the line, adding first Gabriel Color in classic contemporary colors, then the bolder ZuZu Luxe cosmetics line. Gabriel also offers hair and skincare products for children. The company recently added a line of nail polish as well.

“You are what you eat—and what you wear,” he says. True to that statement, all of the US-manufactured products are veritable vegan delights; they are gluten free, feature natural ingredients and are never tested on animals, DeSantino says. Ingredients include such things as St. Johns Wort, grapeseed extract, and the pits of ripe olives.

DeSantino moved to the area with his parents in 1986, and has resided in Bellevue since 1989. Gabriel Cosmetic lines have been actively developed here since 1991, and the Redmond office and distribution center employs between 6 and 12 people at any given time, he says.

On Saturday, DeSantino was stationed in the health and beauty section of the new Your Local Market location in Bellevue, just blocks from his home, giving passersby impromptu makeovers, skincare tips, and free Gabriel Organics samples.

“Personally, this is what I enjoy, working with customers,” DeSantino said. With that in mind, DeSantino said he’s planning to open a showroom at his Redmond office to offer seminars and classes directly to customers.