Behind the Product: Discover the Brilliant Women Creating Beauty Innovations!

Do you ever stroll through your local beauty retailer, pick up a product, and think, "Who in the world created this amazing concoction?" Oh, it's just me huh? I can’t help but examine how it feels in my hands, critique the label, and picture it nicely displayed in my bathroom. I even envision the genius in that crisp, white lab coat—goggles on, mixing up this beauty magic!

Since it’s Women’s History Month, I want to take a moment to recognize some phenomenal women who are out here making waves with their product formulations. These hardworking ladies are the true powerhouses of the beauty industry, crafting the products we all love!

But let's step back for a moment (if you don't mind). From the very first day I stepped into an esthetics class, I was captivated by the intricacies that most people often overlook. I wanted the tea on everything: Who founded the brand? Why did they start it? What was the purpose behind creating this product? What specific ingredients were chosen, and why? Who were the manufacturers? Why that type of packaging or font on the label? Let’s be real—when some labels fall off while others are hot stamped on, what’s the story there?

And most importantly, who are the visionary badasses in lab coats and glasses mixing up the magic we can’t get enough of? I'm talking about those phenomenal Cosmetic Chemists! Their responsibilities are immense—they conduct extensive research, formulate effective and safe products, ensure quality control, and stay on top of the latest trends and regulations. They spend countless hours testing and tweaking formulas to find the perfect balance of ingredients that cater to various skin types and concerns, ensuring what hits the shelves are not only effective but also aligns with consumer needs and expectations.

When I first entered this field, uncovering all this information wasn’t easy. I embraced my role as the curious student—the one asking a lot of questions before, during, and after class. It was challenging enough to find answers regarding skin differences and how ingredients react across skin types. As a Black Woman, beginning her career in this field, I needed to know how these products truly performed on Black skin.

MANY years later, I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to jump into this platform and discover a treasure trove of Black Women cosmetic chemists! It felt like I had stumbled into cosmetic chemistry heaven. For some time now I’ve been soaking in their posts and tuning into their live sessions, learning from their insights and experiences.

So, without further ado, let’s give a big shout-out to some of the incredible cosmetic chemists I’m following and absolutely loving:

• Taliana Wright:?R&D Scientist | Sensitive Skincare Advocate (Eczema Warrior) | Plant Medicine Researcher
• Milan Scott:?Cosmetic Chemist | Social Media Strategist
• Dejour Waite:?Cosmetic Chemist | Product Development
• Manessa Lormejuste:?Beauty Scientist & Product Developer | Beauty Consultant
• Desiree (Mattox) Crenshaw:?Cosmetic Chemist | CEO
• Cynthia Johnson:?Cosmetic Chemist | CEO

I know there are many more outstanding cosmetic chemists out there, so if you have favorites, please drop their names in the comments!

Let’s not forget the vital role these amazing women play in the beauty industry. They are the innovators crafting formulas that cater to our diverse skin types and needs, often working behind the scenes to ensure we receive products that not only enhance our beauty but also nurture our skin.

Here’s to the women behind the science of beauty ??????????????