International Women’s Day: Women of Color Beauty Brand Founders

Iman is Founder and CEO of IMAN Cosmetics, a beauty company that created the first cosmetics and skincare collection designed for all Women with Skin of Color™.

Launched in 1994, the IMAN brand philosophy holds that women with skin of color represent many races, cultures and ethnicities. IMAN Cosmetics are designed for African American, Asian, Latina and multi-cultural women with skin tones in a myriad of shades. The brand offers skincare and cosmetics, including 16 foundation shades. IMAN Cosmetics are sold throughout the world including the United States, Canada, UK, France, Africa, and the Caribbean.

In 2004, IMAN Cosmetics announced its strategic alliance with Proctor & Gamble. Under the licensing and distribution agreement, the prestige brand once again broke convention and is now available at mass retailers including Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens and Duane Reade.

In addition to running a global beauty company, Iman is actively involved in several charities, including Save the Children, UNICEF Go – 2 – School Initiative / Somalia, Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation, and Hope for Congo.

Iman’s first book, entitled I AM IMAN (Universe, 2001), was an autobiographical sketchbook of her career that questions “the unserious business of fashion and beauty and its serious effect on identity.” Her second book, THE BEAUTY OF COLOR, THE Ultimate Beauty Guide for Skin of Color (Putnam Penguin 2005) is the first beauty and makeup book that truly addresses skin tones across the spectrum: Latina, Black, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Native American, as well as multiple ethnicities. She’s revolutionized the way Women with Skin of Color™ think about beauty.

Ever evolving, she broadened her horizon, gleaned from experience and a keen eye, and designed IMAN GLOBAL CHIC, a line of handbags, jewelry, and fashion accessories sold exclusively on HSN and HSN.COM. The line is one of two top sellers among more than 200 fashion and jewelry brands on HSN. Additionally, Iman most recently launched IMAN HOME, a collection of globally influenced fabrics and chic home décor. In 2010, Iman was honored by the Council of Fashion Designers (CFDA) with the prestigious Fashion Icon Award.

Iman began her career in 1975 as a model and has challenged the prevailing notions of beauty ever since. The daughter of an African diplomat, Iman was born in Somalia and grew up speaking five languages. She studied political science at Nairobi University where she was discovered by legendary photographer Peter Beard.

Her first modeling assignment was for Vogue in 1976. Iman was an instant success in the fashion world, and a muse for fashion designers including Yves. St. Laurent, Versace, Calvin Klein and Donna Karan. During her 14 years as a model, she worked with top photographers Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and Annie Liebovitz.

A mother of two, Iman is married to David Bowie with whom she has a daughter, Alexandria Zahra. Iman’s eldest daughter is Zulekha Haywood.

Read our reviews for IMAN Cosmetics here.

Product to shop: IMAN Luxury Radiance Liquid Makeup $16

Liquid foundation is enriched with pigmented minerals to give your skin a flawless finish. IMAN Cosmetics Second to None Liquid Makeup features a lightweight, oil-free formulation to boost skin’s radiance with a blend of vitamin E, acai, magnolia and cottonseed plant extract. Soothes and nurtures your skin.

Lisa Price, Founder of Carol’s Daughter

Beauty products entrepreneur Lisa Price was born on May 18, 1962 in Brooklyn, New York. She is the founder of Carol’s Daughter, one of the first African American-owned product lines with a flagship store. During her childhood, she remembers the smell of the soap her grandmother made at their Brooklyn brownstone. Price attended public schools in New York, where she received her high school diploma.

In 1990, Price began making creams and lotions based on natural materials in her kitchen. Encouraged by family members and friends, she began Carol’s Daughter from her home in 1993. Her customers soon multiplied. By 1999, Price added mail-order, website and walk-in customers and her business moved from the parlor floor of her brownstone to a formal store in Brooklyn’s upscale Fort Greene area.

Supported by a staff of twenty-three, the Carol’s Daughter line boasts more than 300 aromatic products for the face, hair, body and home. Her clientele include celebrities like Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Halle Berry, Chaka Khan and Oprah Winfrey. In 2002, Carol’s Daughter grossed more than $2.25 million in sales. In 2004, Price along with Hillary Beard wrote her memoir, entitled Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My Nose and Found My Passion. In 2005, a group of investors assisted her in opening a flagship store in Harlem on 125th Street.

Price makes time to give back to the community. Carol’s Daughter donates monies, goods and services to not-for-profit organizations including the Arthur Ashe Foundation, Hale House, and the September 11th Fund. Her college speaking engagements and seminars encourage others to become entrepreneurs. Carol’s Daughter’s products are distributed nationwide.

Price lives in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn with her husband, Gordon, and sons Forrest and Ennis.

Read our reviews for Carol’s Daughter here.

Product to shop: Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask $32+

Infused with Monoi Oil and Hydrolyzed Silk, this intense repairing treatment nourishes hair from roots to ends to help reverse damage and prevent any future damage.

The Monoi Story
Monoi Oil—an ancient recipe made from Tahitian Tiare Gardenia Flower Extract and Coprah Coconut Oil—has been nourishing hair for thousands of years. This oil works on all hair types, from fine to thick, and is proven to keep your strands beautiful and healthy looking. Now you too can reap the benefits of Tahiti’s miraculous beauty secret.

Jane Carter, Founder Jane Carter Solution

Coming from a family of innovators, Jane Carter has become the driving force for a brand that exemplifies a purpose, a cause and a solution.

Life experiences have contributed to the woman who has spent over 20 years representing and creating a voice for women. Suffering family losses due to segregation and racism, her personal life and business model caters to diversity. Being one of the first African American students admitted into a white elementary school, at just six years old, Jane witnessed community and racial uproars that have ingrained her with a fighting spirit.

Jane opened her first salon, challenged with obstacles to assist the needs of a diverse clientele. Finding the right formula was pertinent to her brand. Genetically wired to fight for the underdog, seeking solutions was a steadfast attribute Jane credits to having been passed down by her family.

The strong woman today, as a mother and dedicated business mogul, she has become the DNA to a leading natural hair care company. Her success story reflects a wealth of knowledge, past experiences and personal determination that led her to create the winning formula for a diverse group of women.

Read our reviews for Jane Carter Solution here.

Product to shop: Jane Carter Solution NOURISH & SHINE™ Restorative Butter $23

Never leaves hair feeling greasy, just looking shiny and healthy.
Contains a concentrated blend of Mango and She butters, vitamins and essential oils that completely melts into hair, helping to reduce dryness.
Never leaves hair and scalp feeling greasy. Remarkable hair nourisher ideal for medium to coarse hair.Can be used on dry skin to help retain moisture for hours.