By Megan Sayles, AFRO Organization Author,
Report for America Corps Member,
[email protected]
Shalena Maxfield Edwards expended 21 decades in the beauty industry as an executive at organizations like Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and Juice Splendor just before leaving the company earth to launch her very own make-up brand name, Abundant in Shade Cosmetics, in 2020.
Her journey to entrepreneurship was not linear, like lots of other organization entrepreneurs, and originally, she didn’t even want to operate in natural beauty or cosmetics.
Edwards planned to be a true estate tycoon, but while operating in Macy’s shoe department she was enthralled by the gals who worked at the makeup counters.
Just one day, a single of the women invited her to get her makeup completed, and she was blown away by the physical transformation but a lot more importantly, the mental one particular. The makeover empowered Edwards and boosted her self-assurance.
“From that day ahead, I try to remember just chatting to the young ladies at the counter like: ‘How can I do what you do? Can you introduce me to an individual who can get me a work in the business?’” stated Edwards.
Just before launching Rich in Colour Cosmetics, Edwards was doing work for a distinguished skincare manufacturer, and she was the only female of colour in the corporate workplace. Throughout this time, she also professional the loss of her sister and mother.
Though she had loved her encounter developing solutions for the company, she was reminded that lifetime is fleeting and knew it was time to independently pursue her private passion.
Maxfield-Edwards experienced seasoned firsthand the troubles that Black girls experience when hoping to obtain make-up that fits their deeper, darker pores and skin tones, so she made a decision to found Loaded in Shade Cosmetics as a manufacturer that provides specific focus to melanin-loaded skin.
“My key concentrate was I required to have a matte lipstick, but I also required to have a matte lipstick that was not drying and was long-long lasting, so they are super hydrating and, at the similar time, the shades are far more pigmented than your regular lipstick,” stated Edwards.
The model at the moment delivers 18 diverse shades of lipstick with names ranging from “Material Girl” to “She’s Gotta Expend It,” which embody the brand’s eyesight of residing lavishly. Each individual item is vegan and cruelty-absolutely free and developed with all-natural elements.
Rich in Colour Cosmetics’ finest-providing lipstick is the “Big Momma,” a vivid, deep crimson color, but Edwards’ favorites are the pink “Page Six” and “Uptown Lady.”
Right now, the brand name is preparing to start its “Glodeo Travel Selection,” a line of highlighters that will be launched in September. This yr, it will also launch a line of anti-ageing blushes that are rich in anti-oxidants to avoid high-quality strains and wrinkles.
“I want all women of all ages to in fact embrace who they are without having being sorry or apologetic for it,” claimed Edwards.
Assistance us Go on to tell OUR Story and join the AFRO spouse and children as a member – subscribers are now members! Join below!