Beauty
This Black-Owned Cosmetics Brand Is Sweetening Up The Beauty Aisle
Brandi Davis’ The Candy Lady Cosmetics is serving up lip and eye candy for the ‘everyday woman.’
We love a good beauty story and there is nothing sweeter than one that conjures memories of the neighborhood “candy lady.” She was a staple in the community who taught us the power of supply and demand with her must-have stash of goodies for which we were ready to spend all of our (literal) coins.
Brandi Davis is honoring that hustle with her makeup brand, The Candy Lady Cosmetics.
“The original ‘Candy Lady’ was one of the first entrepreneurs and a critical member of the community I grew up in,” explains Davis. “She was constantly uplifting the members of the community and The Candy Lady Cosmetics aims to do the same.”
The New Orleans native launched her brand in January 2020 with a supply of candy-inspired lip and eye offerings, including creamy lipsticks and high-pigment eye palettes. She says she created the makeup brand for the “everyday woman” who wants to sweeten up her look with minimal stress and maximum slay.
We caught up with the nurse-turned-beauty boss to learn more about her brand and how she hopes to impact the beauty industry.
SADIAA: Tell us about your brand. How did you get into beauty?
BRANDI DAVIS: I have worked as a nurse family nurse practitioner for over 19 years. Like most nurses, I had more than one job and I just couldn’t find the time to enhance my dull look the way I envisioned.
When I looked and felt good, I had a burst of confidence like no other. So, as a lover of lipgloss, I decided to create cosmetics products that the “everyday, I’m too busy working woman” could wear just to give her a pop of color on the eyes and lips.
SADIAA: What was the process like creating your products?
BRANDI: The processes of picking out and testing products, as well as coming up with a design for the products was very exciting and satisfying. I found creating a name and logo/trademark a bit intense, especially while doing it without a lawyer, but not too tough to handle.
SADIAA: You offer up a variety of lippies, shadows and liners. How long did it take to launch your first offerings?
BRANDI: It took me approximately one year to develop and manufacture my first collection.
SADIAA: What are you seeing customers buying up the most?
BRANDI: Our top seller is the signature Assorted EyeCandy Eyeshadow Palette.
SADIAA: You recently celebrated your one-year launch anniversary. What has been the most rewarding part about being in business for yourself?
BRANDI: The most rewarding part has been seeing my customers’ enjoyment and satisfaction when using the products to create their unique looks. Our brand leads with genuine ideals of how to best serve our customers: the Candy Crew. We celebrate the everyday person and their efforts to enhance their natural beauty. Since the launch of the brand, we have witnessed those who initially had no interest in makeup, begin to experiment and fall in love with our products.
SADIAA: What is one thing you wish you knew before you launched?
BRANDI: I wish I would have known how or become a better marketer before I launched. Once you start a business, you become a marketer. Though creating the product wasn’t the easiest task, I wish I would have focused more on coming up with a marketing strategy prior to launching.
SADIAA: Well, you’re doing something right, because we have seen your growth over the year, even getting on store shelves!
BRANDI: Yes, in December 2020 we were able to place our products in The Black Store, which is a Black-owned beauty supply store in Houston, Texas. This was very significant for our brand in that The Black Store focuses on community-improvement initiatives.
SADIAA: That’s amazing — especially since your brand is also focused on supporting the community. How do you hope to impact the Black beauty space?
BRANDI: The Candy Lady Cosmetics aspires to be recognized as a brand that touches lives beyond beauty. Our mission is to “uplift communities across America through beauty.”
Surely, we are in the business to sell makeup, but our message includes motivation, the community, and the acknowledgment of current events that affect everyone. As we grow, a portion of each sale will be donated to underserved communities, or partnering programs, across the country.
Leading with purpose, for us, is extending and using our platform to serve others. We are constantly encouraging and sharing the stage with upcoming makeup artists. We open our casting calls to all levels of experience, ensuring each artist has an equal opportunity to showcase their work.
SADIAA: What does ultimate success look like for you?
BRANDI: Success, to me, will take the form of The Candy Lady Cosmetics products lining the shelves of bathroom countertops, beauty bars, makeup bags in every community across America, and donations of thousands of products yearly being made to non-profit organizations across America.
In the near future, we foresee awarding scholarships, hosting beauty and health summits, and making The Candy Lady Cosmetics Inc. a brand that leaves lives a little sweeter than they were found.
Visit the The Candy Lady Cosmetics to shop or for more info.
Find The Candy Lady Cosmetics and more makeup brands in our Black-owned beauty directory.
