Lagos: Dr Bolaji Mogaji, founder of Rubellite Cosmetics, has unveiled a groundbreaking beauty concept space in Victoria Island, urging collaboration across Africa’s cosmetics industry to drive growth, innovation, and inclusivity.
She described collaboration and inclusiveness as crucial to the sector’s sustainable growth.
Mogaji said this while unveiling a new beauty experience space in Victoria Island, Lagos.
She said that the initiative is designed to provide holistic beauty content creation and wellness services for ‘women of colour’ under one roof.
According to her, the initiative was born out of years of personal challenges, navigating the beauty industry as a lack woman and entrepreneur.
“As women of colour, we are often not the first people to be considered in global beauty standards.
“Throughout my journey, I found it difficult to access everything I needed in one place, from hair and makeup to content creation,” she said.
She explained that the new space integrates hair styling, makeup, nails, lashes, and photography, while also promoting mental wellness and community engagement through monthly-themed events.
“This is about collaboration over competition; Hundreds of women come into beauty spaces daily but hardly know one another.
“We want to change that narrative by creating a community where women connect, share knowledge and grow together,” she said.
According to Mogaji, the platform is also aimed at boosting users’ self-confidence and providing free opportunities for content creation.
Recounting her journey, Mogaji described the project as a dream realised after nearly a decade in the industry.
“It feels like a Barbie dream come true; this has been seven years of perseverance, focus and resilience, and I am grateful because I know how much I had to go through to get here,” she said.
According to her, the products are deliberately priced to cater for diverse income levels without compromising quality.
Highlighting the economic potential of the beauty industry in Africa, she said it is a multi-million-dollar sector, with room for innovation and local production.
“The future of beauty in Africa lies in developing our own skincare ingredients.
” In the next 10 years, African brands will dominate the market because we understand our problems and are building solutions,” Mogaji said.
Meanwhile, she underscored the role of technology in improving service delivery, citing automated appointment systems and digital reminders as tools to enhance efficiency.