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Beauty Bakerie Cosmetics Brand was an organization based in San Diego, California, United States, that developed and distributed bakery-themed, cruelty-free makeup and personal care products designed for diverse skin tones. Operating with an estimated workforce of 10 to 50 employees, the direct-to-consumer and wholesale business reached an approximate $5 million brand valuation before officially ceasing all operations in March 2024. The cosmetics manufacturer financed its early growth through venture capital, securing a $3 million seed funding round in 2017 led by Unilever Ventures alongside individual investors including former executive Kenneth Chenault. Beyond its primary e-commerce platform, the enterprise subsequently expanded its physical retail distribution network by stocking its smudge-proof and vegan-friendly cosmetic lines in major national retail chains such as Target Corporation and Ulta Beauty. Beauty Bakerie Cosmetics Brand was originally founded in 2011 by Cashmere Nicole.
Beauty Bakerie Cosmetics Brand has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round.
Beauty Bakerie Cosmetics Brand has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Beauty Bakerie Cosmetics Brand has raised $3.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Beauty Bakerie Cosmetics Brand's investors include Unilever Ventures, Angelic Ventures, Benchstrength, Earth and beyond ventures, General Catalyst, Humbition, Idealab, IVP, K5 Ventures, Moxxie Ventures, Precursor Ventures, Pro Founders Capital.
Beauty Bakerie Cosmetics Brand has raised $3.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $3.0M Seed in October 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2017 | $3M Seed | Unilever Ventures | Angelic Ventures, Benchstrength, Earth And Beyond Ventures, General Catalyst, Humbition, Idealab, IVP, K5 Ventures, Moxxie Ventures, Precursor Ventures, Pro Founders Capital, Sinai Ventures, Streamlined Ventures, Torch Capital, Anil Sethi, Eduardo Haber, Marc Benioff, Oliver Thylmann | Announced |
Beauty Bakerie is a Black-owned, cruelty-free cosmetics brand specializing in dessert-inspired, vegan, gluten-free makeup and skincare products designed for all skin tones, emphasizing clean ingredients free from harmful chemicals.[1][2][3][6] Founded by breast cancer survivor Cashmere Nicole, it serves diverse consumers seeking inclusive, high-performance beauty options that promote empowerment and joy, solving the problem of limited shade ranges and toxic formulations in traditional cosmetics.[1][2][3] The company has demonstrated strong growth momentum, expanding from a bedroom startup in 2011 to sales in over 2,000 locations worldwide, including Ulta Beauty, Target, CVS, Nordstrom, and Amazon, while raising over $14M in venture capital and recently being acquired by West Lane Capital.[1][4]
Note: Contrary to the query's description, Beauty Bakerie operates as a beauty consumer goods company, not a technology company; no search results indicate tech product development, software, or tech infrastructure as core to its business.[1][2][3][4][6]
Beauty Bakerie was founded in 2011 by Cashmere Nicole, a nurse, mother, and breast cancer survivor, in her San Diego bedroom, inspired by her daughter's struggle to find makeup matching her dark skin tone and Nicole's own health awakening during cancer treatment, where she scrutinized harmful ingredients in beauty products.[1][2][3][5] Beyoncé amplified early visibility in 2014 via an Indiegogo promotion tied to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, boosting traction.[2] Pivotal moments include shifting operations to her home kitchen by 2014, moving to a warehouse in 2015, opening its first retail store in San Diego's Mission Valley in 2017, and securing a $3M seed round led by Unilever Ventures that year, followed by investments from 645 Ventures, Blue Consumer Capital, Marcy Venture Partners (Jay-Z's firm), and backing from Kenneth Chennault (former Amex CEO).[1][2]
The brand's ethos—"Be Better, Not Bitter"—stems from Nicole's resilience, evolving from online sales to global retail presence in over 130 countries by 2019, while employing about 30 people.[1][2]
Beauty Bakerie does not play a direct role in the tech landscape, as it focuses on physical cosmetics rather than technology products like software or digital tools; any e-commerce or online sales leverage standard retail platforms without proprietary tech innovation evident in sources.[1][2][6] It rides broader consumer beauty trends toward clean beauty, inclusivity, and direct-to-consumer growth, amplified by social media virality (e.g., TikTok-famous products) and celebrity influence, amid market forces favoring diverse, vegan brands post-2010s clean beauty boom.[1][2][6] The company's expansion influences the beauty ecosystem by championing Black-owned inclusion and clean ingredients, pressuring legacy brands, though a 2019 controversy accused influencer Huda Kattan of idea theft, highlighting competitive dynamics.[2]
Post-acquisition by West Lane Capital, Beauty Bakerie is poised for accelerated retail expansion and product innovation in clean, inclusive makeup, building on its $14M+ funding and global footprint.[1][4] Trends like rising demand for vegan/gluten-free beauty, social commerce, and diversity will shape its path, potentially deepening skincare lines or international pushes (e.g., UK via Boots/Selfridges).[1][2][6] Its influence may evolve as a benchmark for mission-driven CPG brands, sustaining growth if it navigates acquisition integration—ultimately sweetening lives through resilient, empowering cosmetics, true to its "Be Better, Not Bitter" origins.[1][3]
