Mascara Disposables, DEI Cuts, and Corporate Shenanigans: Let’s Get Into It
Before You Shop Another Big Brand, Read This…
Disclaimer: The resources and recommendations in this blog are based on my own research, experiences, and perspectives. I encourage you to do your own due diligence before making any decisions. I am not responsible for individual choices based on this information—this is simply a collection of insights and resources I’ve gathered over time, including both familiar and newly discovered ones.
Inspired by Summer D'on of D'on Cosmetics (Beauty & Business Enthusiast) and Tabitha Brown of Donna's Recipe (Actress, Vegan Lifestyle Advocate, Author, and Entrepreneur)
Hey y’all,
Let me just say this wasn’t the warm, fuzzy intro blog I planned for my website. I imagined starting off with some feel-good vibes—maybe tips on perfecting your client experience or sipping mimosas while setting boundaries in your business. But instead, here I am spiraling over Target, Meta, Amazon—you name it—while debating a cart full of freaking disposable applicators.
Now, before you think, “Is this just for beauty pros?”—nope! While I am a makeup artist speaking to creatives in my industry, this message applies far beyond beauty. It’s about our money, our choices, and how we as a community can start making waves. Stick with me, and I promise it’ll be worth it. I have included many awesome resources.
This blog isn’t here to rattle off numbers and statistics—it’s here to get real about what’s happening right now. It’s about putting a spotlight on what’s been going on, acknowledging the stress and confusion that comes with it, and figuring out how we can start building toward better solutions. It’s an invitation to reflect, adapt, and take the first steps together.
The Ril Talk
If you’re a beauty professional—especially a Black beauty professional—navigating the business right now may feel like one long episode of Black Mirror. The platforms we heavily rely on (Instagram, TikTok, Amazon, SHEIN, even Target y'all) all feel more unreliable than ever, and honestly? It’s extremely exhausting when our contributions are already undervalued.
How We Got Here
This shift became painfully clear recently when DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs were scaled back—or outright eliminated—by brands we’ve long supported and trusted. Companies like Target recently slashed initiatives, while giants like Amazon and SHEIN keep making headlines for all the wrong reasons: underpaying workers, blatantly copying Black creators, and just more disrespect. They’re giving us every reason to side-eye our carts. And don’t even get me started on TikTok’s rocky relationship with creators of color—it’s giving “seen but not supported.” People of color have so much power in our influence, yet we always seem to end up with the short end of the stick.
For beauty professionals, this hits even harder. Whether we’re sourcing products, promoting our services, or building a community, we pour our time, money, and energy into large companies and systems that consistently fail to value us. And as Black beauty professionals, it feels like fighting two battles: proving our worth in an already competitive industry while navigating spaces that weren’t built with us in mind.
Honestly, I'm tired! Tired of constantly having to prove my superpower: my talent, creativity, and influence. I know who I am, I know what I am capable of, and I refuse to let any company or system make me feel otherwise! If you don’t truly value, love, and respect me and my people, we’ll take our brilliance, our dollars, and our energy where we are celebrated—not just tolerated.
What Can We Do Right Now?
Focus on Black-Owned Brands and Our True Industry Allies.
By amplifying the voices of Black-owned businesses, sharing resources, and supporting local stores that have our backs, we’re creating a network of strength and solidarity.
When you shop with big companies, prioritize Black-owned brands on their shelves or in their online directories. Spend your dollars where they matter. Need disposables, brushes, or containers? Skip Amazon, AliEpxress, SHEIN, and Alibaba, and check out your local makeup shops and other online businesses like Norcostco in Atlanta (a total gem). Out west in California, there are a few amazing spots like Naimie's, Nigel Beauty Emporium, and Frends Beauty. In New York, check out Artist Kit Company and The Kitpak. For kit bags, I know several artists who swear by Relavel Bags—consider shopping directly from their website instead of Amazon. And let me not forget Camera Ready Cosmetics, who like most names listed above, have PRO Discounts for working artists. You better save you some coins!
Regardless of ownership, these businesses set the standard for what our industry needs: quality, community, and real support.
In the Meantime, Between Time—More Places I’m Shopping for My Pro Kit
If you aren't familiar with some of the brands mentioned, know that this list is just a beginning! Take some time to discover more Black-owned brands and local makeup shops in your area—many offer options for both in-person and online shopping.
And when you're looking for true Black-owned businesses to support—whether for beauty, everyday essentials, and beyond—these websites and directories have you covered:
Custom HTML/CSS/JAVASCRIPTLastly, I highly recommend watching the two videos below, which ultimately inspired this blog, and use them as reference on how to shop with larger companies in a way that can make a great impact for the Black community. What truly matters is being deliberate with our spending and our voices. Change won’t happen overnight, but it begins with each of us taking a step—one thoughtful decision at a time.
Inspired by Summer D'on of D'on Cosmetics (Beauty & Business Enthusiast)
Custom HTML/CSS/JAVASCRIPTTabitha Brown of Donna's Recipe (Actress, Vegan Lifestyle Advocate, Author, and Entrepreneur)
Rethink Your Relationship with Social Media.
Yes, Instagram and TikTok are free. A lot of social media apps are absolutely free! But let’s be real—they’re not built equally for all of us. If you’re feeling drained by algorithms that seem allergic to showing your content, it might be time to shift focus. Use these platforms as tools, not homes. Funnel your followers into an email list or private community where it’s just you and them. That’s where the magic happens!
Think of social media like billboards on the side of highways and major intersections—they’re meant to get eyes on the showcased media, driving people to call the listed numbers, visit websites, or shop at stores. These tools aren’t the end goal—they’re the attention-grabbers that lead people to your real value.
If your social media isn’t working for you, it’s time to rework your strategy. Low engagement doesn’t mean a lack of talent—sometimes small tweaks, like refining your bio or showing up consistently, can make all the difference. Don’t follow every social media guru’s advice, but take note of proven strategies and apply what fits to your brand.
Here are some of my favorite content creators and social media strategists who inspire me with their authenticity, aesthetics, and focus on personal branding over overselling:
Their ability to connect authentically with their audiences while prioritizing experience and storytelling is something we can all learn from.
Discover a New Platform That Feels Like Home
If you’re looking for a social media platform that feels like home, Spill is it. Created by a brilliant team of Black innovators, Spill was made for us, by us, and its welcoming, family-like vibe makes all the difference. In the app, we call each other "cousins", and the bonds formed here are real, extending far beyond the app itself.
Since gaining access in July 2023, I’ve experienced a space like no other—a community rooted in inclusivity, creativity, and authenticity. From virtual Tea Parties where we chat about mental health, watch movies, or even play Spades, to in-person meetups in cities like LA, New York, Houston, and Atlanta (shoutout to ATL Spill for holding it down!), Spill has cultivated a culture that celebrates connection and joy.
Whether bonding over art, memes, music, or meaningful conversations, the energy on Spill is unmatched. It's a place to show up as your true self, engage respectfully, and become part of something bigger. Unlike other platforms, Spill isn’t about chasing followers and likes, or feeling the constant pressure to sell yourself day in and day out. It’s chill, laid-back, and truly about connection and originality. You can casually promote your business, services, and products in a way that feels natural—no overselling, no stress, just genuine engagement with a community that values authenticity.
When you join, search #ATLSpill or find others in your area to connect with, and be sure to mention me!
Protect Your Mental Health.
I’ll keep this simple—business is a lot, and it’s not for the weak. But what’s the point of success if you’re too drained to enjoy life? Set your business up in a way that allows you to spend quality time with family, friends, and even just yourself.
Social media can be overwhelming, especially when it feels like the odds are stacked against you. Batch create and post on your own schedule—not an algorithm’s. Prioritize breaks. Unplug when you need to. And be intentional about what you’re consuming, sharing, and where you’re investing your energy—whether it’s your time, your attention, or even your data.
Start Building Community.
It’s time to own your audience. You've been saying you wanted to do it, so what's really stopping you?! Social media is great, but creating a space that’s truly yours—like an email list, a Mighty Networks community, or even a private Slack or Discord group—is the ultimate power move. That’s where your influence really starts to become unstoppable.
If you’re ready to streamline and elevate your entire business, and do just that, BeautyPro Funnels (BPF) is the tool you need! Created by Tiyana Robinson, a trailblazing Black woman in the beauty industry, BPF was built specifically for beauty professionals to attract, nurture, and convert their audience—all in ONE place.
Besides being truly one-of-a-kind, here’s why BeautyPro Funnels stands out:
Manage Everything in One Place: Email marketing, booking, scheduling, contracts, and even digital & physical e-commerce—all from one platform.
Ditch Multiple Tools: Softwares like Acuity Scheduling, HoneyBook, ConvertKit, Dubsado, Flodesk, and DocuSign should be clutching their pearls! This software has all of those same capabilities with more to come in the future!
Built for Beauty Pros: It's designed by someone who gets it—someone who’s been in the field, tested countless systems experiencing all kinds of challenges firsthand—created with her community’s real needs in mind.
Your Community, Your Way: You might as well forget the other apps I mentioned above (i.e., Mighty Networks and Patreon) because guess what?! You can even build your own communities directly through this platform.
Since I started using BPF last summer, my workflow has transformed in the greatest way possible, saving me time, money, and unnecessary headaches. Take the tour and secure the 'Founding Member' rates, and see why BPF is changing the game for beauty pros like us. After your tour, if you have any questions, feel free to hop in my DMs—I’ll be happy to share more about it! This software is a guaranteed life-changer, and remember—it’s Black-owned and funded!
The Power of Honest Patience & Support: Strengthening Black-Owned Businesses
Supporting Black-owned businesses is more than just transactions—it’s about building wealth, creating access, and curating the kind of convenience we’ve been taught to seek elsewhere. It won’t happen overnight, but every purchase, recommendation, and act of support brings us closer.
When it comes to shopping Black-owned, it’s important to approach brands with a lot of patience, understanding, and compassion. Many of us have grown accustomed to the convenience of big companies like—Amazon Prime’s two-day delivery, Target’s $5 gift cards with purchases, and those 24/7 customer service lines. But for most Black-owned businesses, the reality looks different. Many are ran by small teams, sometimes just one to ten people, balancing everything from product creation, shipment, and customer service.
This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t hold them accountable for quality—our community deserves excellence—but we need to balance that with grace. Shipping might take longer. Customer support may not respond as quickly. The person running the business could be a parent juggling family responsibilities while working tirelessly to keep the business afloat. Every purchase we make is an investment in their livelihood and, in many cases, their family’s.
As a community, we can’t afford to let one or two mistakes define an entire business or diminish their potential. Offer respectful feedback when it’s needed and leave positive reviews when you’ve had a great experience. Those reviews can be lifelines, helping others discover these businesses and giving them a fighting chance in a competitive market.
It’s also important to recognize the challenges Black-owned businesses face. Small businesses often pay more for outsourcing, which can make their prices higher than larger companies that benefit from economies of scale. Additionally, funding for Black businesses—through loans, grants, or investments—isn’t nearly as accessible as it should be. If you see potential in a business and have resources to share—whether that’s knowledge, mentorship, or connections—extend a hand.
And to my fellow Black business owners reading this: Let’s also hold ourselves accountable. Practice better customer service—be clear about what you can deliver, and don’t make promises you can’t keep. If something goes wrong, acknowledge it, apologize where needed, and find a way to make it right. These moments of accountability build trust and loyalty, even when we mistakes happen.
It’s also time to get serious about our finances and budgeting. Knowing your numbers isn’t optional—it’s essential. Invest in your business, whether that’s upgrading your tools, hiring help, or putting money into bomb-ass marketing that gets your name out there. People can’t support what they don’t know about, so make it a priority to show up and show out in your own unique way. If you’re looking for ways to better manage your money and banking options, check out this list of Black-owned banks and credit unions by Blaze Group LLC.
By now, I hope you understand that the future of Black-owned businesses depends on our collective commitment to excellence, accountability, and growth.
Closing Thoughts
This isn’t about boycotting everything—it’s about making intentional choices for change. Not everyone has the flexibility to avoid big brands, and that’s okay. But boycotting an entire store or company can pose a significant threat to Black-owned businesses still operating within those spaces. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress.
Let’s make it out the group chat, y’all—like that family reunion or vacation y'all keep planning but never actually make happen. Every time we choose a Black-owned business, leave a positive review, or recommend a small shop to a friend, we’re planting seeds for a stronger, more self-sustaining community. These actions, no matter how small, contribute to the kind of impact that creates real, lasting change.
And if someone isn’t ready to make the same changes as you, offer them kindness and understanding. Educate when you can, but respect their choices. Not everyone will shift at the same time, myself included, and that’s part of the process. Instead of frustration, channel your energy into supporting those who are ready to make a difference.
If you made it this far…thank you so much for reading!
Until next time,
Your Beauty Experience Coach,
Found this helpful? Don’t keep it to yourself—share it with your beauty pro friends or your community! Let’s keep the conversation going—since there’s no way to comment here, meet me on Instagram. Drop a comment on my latest post below or slide into my DMs—I’d love to hear your thoughts! ♥️💭✨
