February 16th 2024.
Tisha Thompson, the founder of LYS Beauty, has a simple but powerful motto - love yourself. This phrase not only guides her personal life, but it also serves as the inspiration behind her brand. In 2021, Tisha launched LYS Beauty with a mission to make clean beauty products accessible and affordable for all, while also catering to the needs of melanated skin tones. What makes LYS Beauty even more special is that it is the first-ever Black-owned clean makeup brand to be sold in Sephora stores across the country. However, the journey to success for Tisha and her brand has been a personal one.
Growing up in a military family, Tisha had to move around a lot, which taught her to be her own biggest advocate from a young age. Amidst all the changes and adjustments, her safe space was playing with makeup. However, as a plus-size woman, Tisha struggled to find representation in the beauty industry. In an interview with Black Enterprise, she shared how she rarely saw anyone who looked like her in makeup ads. It wasn't until she was in her 20s that she finally came across an ad featuring someone who resembled her body type.
Despite her passion for beauty, Tisha initially pursued a corporate career in finance. However, she always dreamed of starting her own brand someday. While working in the finance department of a makeup company, she also freelanced as a makeup artist. Tisha's love for the beauty industry was evident, but she needed a stable job to pay the bills. It was during this time that she noticed the lack of attention given to marketing and nuances related to makeup for women of color. She began sharing her thoughts with her colleagues, which eventually led to a more inclusive role as a market coordinator within the company.
Although taking on a demotion may seem like a step back, it was Tisha's way of getting her foot in the door and learning everything about the industry. She shared with BE how she worked her way up from a director to a VP within seven years. But, at the peak of her corporate career, Tisha decided to pack up her office and lay the foundation for LYS Beauty. Having struggled with skin issues herself, she realized the importance of using clean and safe ingredients in beauty products. Through her decade-long experience in product development, Tisha had gained a deeper understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of different ingredients. She also noticed how people of color were more likely to be exposed to harmful ingredients in their products due to the lack of diversity within the beauty industry.
From working as an employee at MAC to being an accountant and then having a longstanding career in the beauty industry, Tisha's curiosity and dedication have played a significant role in the success of LYS Beauty. The brand was launched in Sephora at an early stage, which was a dream come true for Tisha. She never thought she could have her own brand in such a prestigious store. Tisha shared how she reached out to Sephora with a PowerPoint presentation, even though her concept wasn't finalized yet. She told them about her vision of filling a white space in their stores as a Black woman, bringing diversity and change to the clean beauty industry. And it worked, as LYS Beauty became a part of Sephora's shelves.
Since then, LYS Beauty has continued to grow and thrive, with its newest addition being the High Standards Glow Blush Stick, available in seven different shades. Each shade is inspired by a unique personality trait, reminding us to love ourselves and practice positive affirmations. As Tisha's brand continues to make waves in the beauty industry, she is proud to see more and more Black-owned businesses being given the opportunity to shine in Sephora. She believes that everyone deserves to see themselves represented in the products and brands they use. With a $12 million valuation, LYS Beauty is a testament to Tisha's hard work and determination, and she remains committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the beauty world.
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