New to the MU Student Center is Sweet Tea Cosmetics, a modernistic makeup and skincare brand that focuses on accommodating anybody and everybody. The business, created through the Unions Entrepreneurial Program, is set to open Sept. 12 at 12 p.m.
Sole owner and senior Teanna Bass has made sure she accommodates every shade range, ethnic background, nationality, height, weight and mental or physical capability. From inexperienced makeup clients to professional artists, she wanted to create a brand that supplies all wanted makeup kits.
“Personally, I find it hard to find my makeup shade, especially when it comes to finding the right undertone,” junior Jasmine Sickel said. “I think it’s cool that [Sweet Tea Cosmetics] is all- inclusive.”
Sweet Tea Cosmetics will debut four products. This includes two liquid vinyl lip lacquers, Stunning and Cat’s Meow, which are liquid lipsticks that are pigmented with a glossy finish to glam up any makeup look. The cosmetic line will also feature two pressed highlighters, Moulah and Gold Plated.
Bass collaborates with a Canadian company to produce her products. Bass said she researched makeup production companies for two years in order to find the company that matches her values best. Thanks to her production company, Sweet Tea Cosmetics’ products are cruelty free, allergy tested, hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic, which means the products will not clog pores and cause acne.
The idea for Sweet Tea Cosmetics developed during Bass’s sophomore year at MU. Budding from her makeup service company, Beat by Tea, some of Bass’s very first products were T-shirts, hats and false eyelashes.
“I was in a bad spot my sophomore year and I contemplated dropping out.” Bass said. “I wanted to find more purpose as to why I should stay [at MU], so I started branding Sweet Tea and I told myself I am going to own my own cosmetic line by my junior year.”
Bass was inspired by student-run consignment store ThreadBare to apply to the Unions Entrepreneurial Program. She says she was glad her friends and family pushed her to do the 10 page application process at the last second, because it got her where she is today.
After her lease is up, Bass plans to keep her brand running by selling online through an e-commerce company or opening her own salon and selling products in her hometown of St. Louis.
Sweet Tea Cosmetics is planning to be open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until May 2019. Stay up to date on all things sweet with their Facebook and Instagram @SweetTeaCosmetics, their Snapchat @SweetTeaCos and their Twitter accounts @SweetTCosmetics.
_Edited by Alexandra Sharp | asharp@themaneater.com_