Today we’d like to introduce you to Kalauna Carter.
In 2016, I launched KolorsbyK after becoming completely frustrated with the beauty industry. I had so many questions. Why were most nail polishes filled with so many needless chemicals? And more importantly, why were there not more women of color selling beauty products made by them?
I started making nail polishes in my kitchen after researching the chemical composition of nail polishes and learning about the adverse effects the chemicals have on women regarding their health, as many of the chemicals have been linked to cancers. I believe that beauty shouldn’t compromise health and because of that I was determined to come up with a healthier nail polish alternative that could be beneficial for all women. At KolorsbyK, our primary focus is and will always be women’s health providing healthier alternatives to nail care and nail polish products.
Today, I have handmade over 5,000+ bottles of nail polish. KolorsbyK collections are in nail salons nationwide, included in beauty boxes and featured in several publications. KolorsbyK has also received international recognition of having been internationally certified by The Leaping Bunny Program and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Has it been a smooth road?
Has the road always been smooth? Not at all. When KolorsbyK started, I was a full-time graduate student and working full time. I was also the one and only employee of KolorsbyK. I processed all the orders, maintained the website, marketing, all social media pages and of course hand-made the polishes. At times, it became very stressful and overwhelming especially when I had more than 20+ with a wholesale order, but I pushed through and learned the true meaning of balance and the importance of maintaining it. I can remember being tired from work, having several orders to complete and having multiple assignments due… was is it struggle? Yes, but I persevered through.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the KolorsbyK story. Tell us more about the business.
At KolorsbyK as stated our primary focus is and WILL always be women’s health. We channel our energy into creating the healthiest alternative of nail polish that works towards your health and not against it. We believe you shouldn’t have to compromise your health to have beautiful and healthy nails so each of our polishes including our gels is 10-FREE (absent of all harsh chemicals), CRUELTY-FREE, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY & VEGAN. Our Kolors will be ALWAYS be showcased using diverse imagery because we believe the beauty in all ways is universal and should be shown as such. As a company, we pride ourselves on producing the best possible nail care and nail products for all women.
Why do you ask? Well, I do this because I grew up struggling to find women who looked like me owning their own cosmetic companies. I wanted to be that role model for other Women to show them regardless of your race, ethnicity, background or religious preference if I can do it, you can too. My passion with KolorsbyK is to empower all women one bottle at a time by providing them with something that could make them feel beautiful whatever the occasion may be, a special Kolor just for her.
What is environmentally friendly and 10-free nail polish? Each polish is 100% handmade and free of camphor, Toulene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resins, and Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), xylene, ethyl tosylamide, parabens, phthalates and fragrances all of which are non-environmentally friendly and cancer-causing chemicals.
KolorsbyK is also as mentioned VEGAN! No animals nor animal byproducts are used in the making of and most importantly never tested on. With our polishes being vegan and animal cruelty-free KolorsbyK was able to gain national certification by becoming Leaping Bunny Certified. Leaping Bunny is the only internationally-recognized certification for cosmetic’s, personal care and household product brands which are not tested on animals. They audit companies entire supply-chain monitoring system to check companies are following guidelines and are meeting Leaping Bunny’s strict criteria. KolorsbyK is also internationally recognized under The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
What sets KolorsbyK apart from others?
KolorsbyK is the first EVER ten free nail polish company owned by a woman of color and in just its second year of business has been featured in several publications and gained international certification.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
KolorsbyK will be expanding in the coming years, more Kolors and more products. The beauty industry is forever expanding and becoming a field to thrive in creatively. KolorsbyK will keep progressing with the trends and shifts to come.
Pricing:
- $12.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kolorsbyk.com
- Email: kolorsbykinquiry@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kolorsbyk
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kolorsbyk
Image Credit:
JessaCole Photography, Refined and Polished (Nail Swatches)
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