Slideshows

7 Inspiring Female Beauty Brand Founders To Support

On International Women’s Day—take a look at these female beauty brand founders who are helping to empower others.

Uoma Beauty - Sharon Chuter

You have probably heard of Uoma Beauty’s founder Sharon Chuter—she started the Pull Up or Shut Up campaign, a call-to-action that encourages brands to be more transparent and reveal their specific number of Black employees. Chuter was born in Nigera, and Uoma Beauty is based in Los Angeles and London. “We exist to re-write the rules of inclusivity and diversity to create a world of beauty that truly is for all of us. Our race is Human…” Chuter says.

Savor Beauty - Angela Jia Kim

Inspired by her mother and heritage, founder Angela Jia Kim created Savor Beauty eight years ago, inspired by Korean skincare rituals. "I wanted to incorporate the teachings that I grew up with…But I wanted flawless skin in a NY minute,” Kim states. She was a classical pianist before opening her first boutique in Manhattan’s West Village. Next she opened Beauty Kitchen in Saugerties, NY, starting the “Dollars & Scents initiative to give jobs to women going back to work after raising children.

Ace of Air - Stephanie Stahl & Petra Nemcova

Ace of Air is a new beauty and wellness brand that collects back its empty packaging to reuse. Co-founded by seasoned beauty executive and former Revlon C-Suite, Stephanie Stahl with supermodel and catalyst for conscious, sustainable and vegan living, Petra Nemcova (along with Three Ocean Partners’ David Knowlton). Ace of Air’s natural ingredients are sustainably grown. The brand gives back 3% of its profits to its not-for-profit partners.

Bounce Curl - Merian Odesho

Merian Odesho, founder and formulator of Bounce Curl. The haircare line spreads the message for women to embrace naturally curly hair. Odesho is also a mentor, encouraging women who are facing challenges to start a business.

Shea Yeleen - Rahama Wright

Rahama Wright, CEO and founder of Shea Yeleen—and recipient of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Black-Owned Business Grant. Shea Yeleen’s shea butter products recently launched on Macy’s website. Wright empowers women in West Africa and the US through the production, sale, and use of shea butter products. She is creating living-wage jobs for women-owned shea butter cooperatives in Ghana.

Each & Every - Lauren Lovelady

Lauren Lovelady, co-founder of Each & Every, began with a mission to create products and packaging that are safe for our bodies as well as the environment. Lovelady’s Healthcare Heroes program offers essential workers a free hand sanitizer and other special discounts. She also discusses inclusivity with the LGBTQ+ community, and what it means to be a gender-neutral brand. Each & Every grew 1000% in 2020 vs. 2019.

Alleyoop - Leila Kashani

Leila Kashani, founder of Alleyoop, created a beauty brand with the mission to declutter women’s lives. Her products offer multiple benefits within one item—giving women more time and physical space to dedicate to other areas of their lives.

By Marie Redding, Senior Editor 03.08.21

We should celebrate women everyday, but since it is Women’s Month and today is International Women’s Day, we’d like to turn your attention to these 7 inspiring female founders in the beauty buisness—and the various ways each is contributing to change or helping others.

They are:

Sharon Chuter, Founder, Uoma Beauty

Angela Jia Kim, Founder, Savor Beauty

Stephanie Stahl & Petra Nemcova, Co-Founders, Ace of Air (with David Knowlton)

Merian Odesho, Founder & Formulator, Bounce Curl

Rahama Wright, Founder, Shea Yeleen

Lauren Lovelady, Co-Founder, Each & Every

Leila Kashani, Founder, Alleyoop

See them in the slideshow above.

For more on these brands, see the Online Exclusive: Beauty Brands Led By Women On a Mission To Do Good

Suggested For You

SkinCeuticals’ Annual Holiday Kits Celebrate a Year of Innovation

Solids in Tottles & Tote-Along Packs Draw New Interest at MUNY

Stuart Leitch Joins Skinfix as CEO

‘Unique Consumer Experiences’ and ‘Intuitive’ Recycling at Luxe Pack Monaco

Innovative Packaging That Meets Consumer Demands

L’Oréal’s South Asia Pacific, Middle East & North Africa Sites Use 100% Renewable Energy

Euromonitor Says the 'K-Wave' is Growing

Cosmoprof NA Miami’s Second Edition Opens on January 21

Cutting Through Hurdles with Turnkey Packaging

New AI-Powered Scent Sensors from Osmo Identify Counterfeits

Khloé Kardashian Debuts Fragrance with Luxe Brands

Weekly Recap: Circana’s Holiday Report, Drunk Elephant Recall, Top ‘Hottest’ Brands & More

Celebrating L’Oreal Paris's 10 'Women of Worth’ for 2024

P&G CEO Jon Moeller Joins the Eli Lilly Board of Directors

Top 10 'Hottest' Beauty Brands of 2024, Ranked by Cosmetify

Related Breaking News

SkinCeuticals’ Annual Holiday Kits Celebrate a Year of Innovation

This year, customers can choose between three kits that address eye care, hydration, or anti-aging qualities.
Solids in Tottles & Tote-Along Packs Draw New Interest at MUNY

From fragrance to cosmetics, exhibitors showcased their latest product and packaging innovations at MakeUp in NewYork.
Stuart Leitch Joins Skinfix as CEO

Leitch joins the team from Olaplex, where he served as Chief Revenue Officer.
‘Unique Consumer Experiences’ and ‘Intuitive’ Recycling at Luxe Pack Monaco

Many of the 450 suppliers displayed sustainable packaging innovations at Luxe Pack Monaco, for the show's 10,000+ visitors.
Innovative Packaging That Meets Consumer Demands

Creativity & ‘newness’ remain key marketing tools to appeal to beauty shoppers—as advances in sustainability and production are redefining packaging innovation.