How Range Beauty Is Redefining Makeup for Reactive Skin
Alicia Scott shares the inspiration behind her brand and ambitions to become the face of Black beauty.
If you’re reading this, odds are you too are passionate about skincare, makeup and simply finding beauty products that work for your skin. Alicia Scott’s journey puts a new perspective on that process, particularly the struggles people with skin conditions face when searching for effective formulas. Dealing with eczema, acne and a lack of inclusive options herself, Scott decided to take matters into her own hands. She created Range Beauty, a skincare-makeup hybrid to address the needs of reactive skin while offering a range of shades for melanin-rich tones.
Range Beauty had its breakout moment on Shark Tank, where Scott secured $150,000 to fuel the brand’s growth. Scott was also part of the 2024 Glossier Grant Program, through which she secured crucial funding. Now, Range Beauty is stocked at Sephora, too – a major coup for the budding brand. With a commitment to redefining beauty standards and empowering an often-overlooked community, Scott is revolutionizing the industry, one product at a time. Below, Scott shares the inspiration behind her brand and plans for the future.
On what inspired Range Beauty
I’ve always dealt with reactive skin from an early age. While in college, I experienced a severe flareup that started as a small patch, and soon turned into me being covered head to toe in patches. A dermatologist later diagnosed me with atopic and contact dermatitis, the two most common forms of eczema. I later developed cystic acne.
I found myself wanting to “hide” my flareups, only to find that cover-up would often leave my skin worse off. I was faced with not only a lack of shades for my brown skin, but also a lack of products that considered my acne and eczema. Seeing other women dealing with these same issues was all I needed to take on the problem myself. I set out to create a collection of makeup that wouldn’t compromise the color, care, or condition of my skin, and launched Range for the proudly unapologetic and unashamed face of Black beauty.
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On Range Beauty’s mission
I’ve always been inspired by Black women. Growing up, I was able to witness the beauty, love, style, essence and confidence they exude and have it woven into who I am today and what I create. I’m continuously motivated to uplift and celebrate Black beauty, which Range does. It is also “makeup for skin that acts up.” The brand is focused on calming and soothing reactive skin conditions, like eczema and acne, using dermatologist-approved and clinically tested botanicals. Our makeup ranges are inclusive while prioritizing melanin-rich tones.
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On why inclusivity in beauty is so important
Even in 2024, seeing videos or comments on other brands from Black women who want to know why they weren’t considered is infuriating. I want us to have an infinite amount of beauty options and go from being overlooked to being appreciated. This is also true, not just with our products, but with who I partner as well. I want to be aligned with others who see the value in overlooked communities.
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On where she sees the brand in five years
In the next five years, I want Range Beauty to become a household name with a committed community following. I want us to be the go-to makeup brand for reactive skin and recognized for our mission and innovation in using plant technology in our formulations. I would love to expand into skincare, too. I believe our partnership with Sephora is key to getting our products into more hands and will truly bring attention to the needs of the reactive skin community.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
If you are interested in other beauty brand founders, why not read about Dr. Alexis Granite’s joyful skincare brand or Candice Mitchell’s AI-powered haircare brand Myavana.
