Finding shades that complement the various skin tones that Africans possess is a challenge, to say the least. The variations of tones inconsistently in stock can either be too ashy, too expensive or not offered for purchase at all. Well, you’re just in luck as we’ve scouted a makeup brand who caters to the African skin and beyond.
Jackie Mgido — Photo credit: She Leads Africa
Vault Cosmetics was founded by Jackie Mgido and she’s of Zimbabwean descent. Mgido recalls struggling to find makeup that suited her and being in sub-Saharan Africa made it even more challenging due to racial tension and unavailability.
Mgido ventured into makeup formulation as a makeup artist. Mgido says: “As a little girl I was very insecure, I never thought I was cute. I grew up at a time when there was a division between whites, coloured and blacks. I grew up in a time when women bleached a lot in order for them to be noticed.”
She continues: “That’s where it all started; I also wanted to be noticed. I wanted them to say, ‘Hey, you’re so pretty!’ but I realised early that bleaching cream wasn’t going to do that for me.”
Mgido also wanted to instil positive images of self-love in her nine-year-old daughter. She confidently illustrates: “I knew makeup, went to school for it, worked for a makeup company and a makeup store. So when I first started I could challenge anyone who wanted to tell me anything different.”
Photo credit: Vault Cosmetics
Mgido cites being connected to your customers as one of the proponents of sustaining a business. Also, it’s imperative to comprehend your consumer’s needs and letting them lead in terms of direction so you know you’re on the right track. She explains “so far Vault has been a trendsetter, we started a revolution. Vault is fostering the mindset of people trying to start their own businesses, the mindset of people wearing things that they’ve never tried their whole entire life and most importantly the expansion into other countries and education.”
Photo credit: Vault Cosmetics
Though Vault Cosmetics is a company that was formulated for the Black woman in mind, the founder would like to globalize her brand and stresses the importance of using the tools at hand. Mgido explicates: “Branding is a really big thing in the cosmetic industry, it’s easy and cheap. You go to the factory, you put your name on it and you move on. I did this, in the beginning, I didn’t have money.”
Photo credit: Vault Cosmetics
Vault is a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, allergy tested and non-comedogenic brand that offers liquid foundation, loose powder, concealer, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, brow liner, lip gloss, lip stain, lipstick, and brushes.
Thinking of starting your own makeup company? Mgido offers up this piece of advice “Intern, intern, intern, intern, I cannot say it enough, the value of learning under someone else’s money is priceless. You have absolutely nothing to lose but everything to gain. If my interns fail, the blame’s not put on them it’s put on Vault, so why on earth would you forfeit such opportunities no matter your industry?”
Sounds like a plan for success.
