10 Women of Color Beauty Founders You Should Know

Meet 10 business owners who used their intellect, ingenuity and old-fashioned hard work to create unforgettable potions, lotions and more

Sol De Janeiro
Photo courtesy brand

Meet 10 business owners who used their intellect, ingenuity and old-fashioned hard work to create unforgettable potions, lotions and more.

Will the big beauty bosses please stand up? Many people have creativity and even more have great ideas. However the tenacity to execute those creative ideas into something profitable and sustainable is rare.

[SEE ALSO: 10 Influential Women of Color Who Helped Shape Beauty Trends]

The ten dynamic women featured here had the gumption to start their businesses and the acumen to scale them into the growing brands they are today. From fragrances to hair care to makeup, these women of color have us all covered on the beauty front. Plus, we recognize that being able to realize all of this as a woman of color is challenging—to say the least! 

These founders defied the odds and stayed the course, despite their roadblocks. And quite frankly we are all more beautiful and inspired people because of it.

Sol De Janeiro


These ladies have captured the vibrant essence of Brazil in a bottle. Heela Yang Tsusuki and Camilla Pierotti are the masterminds behind Sol De Janeiro and launched their biz in 2015. 

The brand’s Brazilian Bum Bum Cream has a cult following and Sol De Janeiro has best sellers across multiple categories, from body to hair to fragrance.  

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