In a global beauty industry that has long overlooked the needs of melanated skin, a new generation of African women founders is stepping forward not just to participate, but to lead.
One of them is Victorine Sarr Awuah, the visionary behind Lyvv Cosmetics a Ghana-based brand that is boldly redefining what “clean beauty” looks like for women of color.
The company has just secured a $1 million blended finance investment, led by Barka Capital. The funding includes both equity and a structured working capital loan, positioning Lyvv Cosmetics for its next big leap: entering global retail giants like Sephora and Ulta.
Building Beauty That Reflects Us
For many women across Africa and the diaspora, finding beauty products that truly understand melanated skin has often been a challenge. Shades don’t match. Ingredients don’t work. And representation has been limited.
Lyvv Cosmetics is changing that narrative.
From mineral makeup to organic skincare, the brand formulates products specifically designed for melanated skin using powerful African ingredients like baobab, moringa, and jojoba oils. But beyond the products, there is a deeper mission: to create beauty solutions that are both inclusive and authentically African.
More Than Beauty A Purpose-Driven Model
What sets Lyvv apart is not just what it produces, but how it produces.
Instead of relying solely on third-party suppliers, the company is building a “restoration-linked” supply chain a model that connects ingredient sourcing with environmental sustainability. Through this approach, tree planting and ecosystem restoration are embedded directly into the business, turning sustainability into a core growth strategy rather than an afterthought.
For Victorine, this is about more than business.
It is about building a brand that invests in people, communities, and the environment—while competing on a global stage.
Growth, Traction, and Global Ambition
Lyvv’s progress has been steady and intentional.
The company reported nearly $550,000 in revenue in 2025, expanding from a single lipstick line into a full skincare portfolio. Its products are already available in spas, airports, beauty retail outlets, and online platforms like Amazon.
With this new funding, Lyvv plans to:
- Expand its manufacturing capabilities
- Enter new international markets
- Strengthen its supply chain
- Create over 100 jobs in rural communities
This is growth that goes beyond numbers—it is growth that uplifts ecosystems and livelihoods.
A Signal for African Women Entrepreneurs
The investment from Barka Capital is also a strong signal: the world is beginning to recognize the value of African-led, women-driven businesses that combine profit with purpose.
As Lyvv prepares to enter global retailers like Sephora and Ulta, it joins a rising wave of African brands proving that:
- African products can compete globally
- African stories can shape industries
- And African women can lead at the highest levels
The Bigger Picture
Lyvv Cosmetics is not just building a beauty brand. It is building a movement—one that challenges outdated standards, celebrates African identity, and proves that sustainability and success can go hand in hand.
For women across Africa, this is more than a business story. It is a reminder of what is possible when vision meets opportunity. Because the future of beauty is not just global.
It is African.
