True beauty goes beyond the surface, it’s about embracing who we are at our core. For Erykah Robinson, this belief became the entire foundation of her brand: Ebony Gaze, launched on October 1st, 2023. Erykah’s journey to create Ebony Gaze was deeply personal. During this time, her aunt was battling breast cancer and she wanted to create something that helped her still feel beautiful, despite the challenges she was facing. Inspired by her aunt’s strength, she created a lash and lip cosmetics brand. Erykah believes that no one should ever lose their sense of beauty while navigating health challenges, you deserve to still feel radiant in your own skin. Her mission was profoundly affirmed when she received the response from her aunt that she still felt beautiful after using Ebony Gaze. This solidified Erykah’s mission: to empower others to celebrate their natural beauty with grace and simplicity. Ebony Gaze embodies this idea with their motto being “sophistication without complication”.
Growing up a “military brat”, Erykah’s life was extremely strategic and structured. She however, craved something that would be meaningful for herself. That pursuit led to her creating Ebony Gaze, a brand that champions the idea of enhancing one’s beauty. Ebony Gaze offers a curated selection of three different lash styles designed to suit everyone’s preference. This first, “Espresso” delivers a bold, voluminous look perfect for those who are seeking a more dramatic look. For those looking for a balance between natural and bold, the “Rose” is the hybrid set that offers an ideal middle ground, providing a noticeable, yet understated statement. Lastly, the “Cream” set is tailored for those who prefer an extremely natural, barely- there feel, blending seamlessly with your own lashes. With these options, Ebony Gaze ensures there’s a perfect match for every style and every personality.
Beyond lashes, Ebony Gaze enhances your beauty routine with complementary products, including their own Ebony Gaze glue, tweezers, and lash brush. Unlike many lash glues that can be messy and leave a sticky residue, their adhesive stands out and is unique for its waterproof, residue- free formula, ensuring effortless application and an all-day wear.
The packaging of Ebony Gaze was inspired by Erykah’s vision of creating something reminiscent of a tasty chocolate bar, a subtle notion to the name “Ebony”. The brands message goes beyond cosmetics. Erykah wants people to embrace their inner beauty and resist the urge to compare themselves to Instagram models they see online. She encourages everyone to discover and celebrate their unique charm in their own “Gaze”.
Reflecting on her journey, Erykah admits that starting her business involved moments of self- sabotage and doubt, but her belief in her vision kept her going. Her biggest lessons have been cultivating patience, maintaining diligence, and embracing open- mindedness. Her goal is to inspire everyone she speaks to about Ebony Gaze, rather than falling into the trap of comparison.
Ebony Gaze highlights and celebrates the essence of Black beauty. Erykah emphasizes that Black women’s most striking features: “our eyes, lips, confidence and personality are what truly define us and make us stand out.” The brand is designed for the modern woman, whether she’s rushing to work and must skip her makeup routine or simply wants to accentuate her natural beauty, the Ebony Gaze kit provides a solution to feeling effortlessly radiant with a hassle- free experience. For Erykah, beauty is not about “doing the most”, it’s about embracing and slightly enhancing what’s already naturally there.
Erykah has exciting plans for the future of Ebony Gaze. She aims to expand the brand with more content- driven commercials and posts as well as a few new products. Among the upcoming launches is a lash cleanser that’s designed to address a common challenge that many face, preventing damage to natural lashes during removal. This cleanser not only helps protect your actual lashes, but also promotes their nourishment and growth. Additionally, Erykah is preparing to release an E-guide that highlights self- love and encourages others to embrace themselves as they are. She also plans to release a special product just in time for Christmas, so stay tuned!
Looking ahead, Erykah envisions Ebony Gaze continuing to grow and thrive as a brand. She is eager to collaborate with other creatives and further elevate the beauty industry with her unique vision.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Ebony Gaze
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