Let me start this post by saying that I’m a brown girl who loves a bold lip! I’m not one to shy away from a bright poppy lip or a deep vamply look, and that’s pretty much the inspiration behind this glam interview with the fab founders of the Beautie Brownie Beautie lipstick line! While dong my usual Instagram trolling for lippies to add to my beauty collection, I stumbled upon a picture of a beautiful girl with sable skin wearing gorgeous magenta lipstick… it ended up being from Beautie Brownie, and from there I was hooked.
I was lucky enough to catch up with the wonderful founders of the company, Jarette Samuels and Gabrielle Marie, and they shared insight about the history of the company and why brown girls should never be afraid to rock bold lippies!
What inspired you to start Beautie Brownie?
We realized that there isn’t a brand that really brings attention to the beauty of brown-skinned women. Being dark-skinned women ourselves, we wanted a brand that we could be proud of, so we came up with one ourselves! We also wanted it to be a movement and a name that brown-skinned girls could walk around and call themselves with a sense of pride. So, we came up with Beautie Brownie! Beautie Brownie encourages women with darker skin tones to be daring with their lippie choices and not conform to beauty standards that leave them out of the equation.
What inspired this kind of messaging?
Women would stop us all the time and say: “That color looks gorgeous on your skin, but I could never pull that off.” Comments like that inspired us to come up with a brand that empowers women with darker skin tones to be bold, take risks and break barriers with their makeup.
What would you say is the biggest misconception about women of color and bright lippies, and how can we combat it?
Most people think that women of color shouldn’t wear bright lip colors; they say we’re “too dark.” The problem is that the few dark-skinned women who do try wearing bright colors are not properly applying their makeup! You can’t slap on a blue lipstick with no foundation or concealer. You have to beat your face first!
Us brown girls come in a variety of shades, what advice do you have for finding the perfect lip color to complement our complexions?
Honestly, we can wear any color we want, no matter what shade of brown! It’s all about a good base.
What advice do you have for fellow entrepreneurs who are trying to start their own their beauty businesses?
You have to believe in your brand, and you have to be patient because it’s a struggle in the beginning, especially when funding is coming from only you! We are 9-5 working girls trying to make our brand pop with our own money. We suggest that you trademark your name once you figure it out. There are people out there that will steal your ideas, so be smart.
What are the hautest lip colors for the Fall/Winter season?
Our lipstick “Lighthouse” is our most popular lipstick and it’s great for any season! If you’re looking for something specifically for the fall though, try “Night Owl!”
What’s can we expect from Beautie Brownie in the near future? Any new products, events or announcements that you would like to share?
New lipstick colors are definitely dropping soon, as well as apparel like hats and T-Shirts! Stay tuned!
I love how candid this interview is and I am in cahoots about how gorgeously pigmented all of the Beautie Brownie lipstick shades are. Brown girls, aren’t you excited about having these lippies available for you to put your brightes, boldest most fabulous pouts forward?!
Beuatie Brownie lipsticks retail for the awesomely affordable price of $13.50! (I’ve already created my covet list!) Shop the line on there newly updated website! Alsop, keep up with the brand by following them on Instagram: @beautiebrownie, and following them on Twitter: @mrsjarette @gabri3llemarie.
P.S. I know you couldn’t help but notice hopw BEAT these models’ faces’ are and the makeup artist responsible for thsese looks is Valarie P. Joseph. You can follower her on Twitter at @mrsmakeup.
Photo credits : Live Photography (IG: LivePhotographyLF)
Ciao Bellas,
You did a great job on this article!!! These are my really close friends (and im one of the models LOL) and I am so happy that started this brand and that they are finally getting more exposure.
Thanks so much Churece! If you’re in the pic you’re a gorgeous girl! These pics are fierce! The company is fierce and these two ladies are FIERCE!