Goodbye, 2020!

As we say goodbye (and good riddance) to 2020, we reflect on this rollercoaster of a year. It is easy to chalk 2020 up to the year of loss + cancellations— loss of loved ones, jobs, routine, and normalcy, canceled events, trips, school, and every other plan we made. This year has been challenging to say the least! But, as we look back, we also see the many silver linings that 2020 provided.

We have a lot to be thankful for! We cannot state strongly enough our gratitude for the healthcare and front-line workers who have put their lives at risk to help others. We are indebted to the activists and advocates that put themselves in danger to try to make our country a more just and fairer place. And thanks to those advocates, many in the beauty industry have pledged to include 15% Black/minority-owned brands to open the doors and give opportunities to those who have historically been left out. We still have a long road ahead but this is definitely a step in the right direction.
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While we’ve missed going to beauty expos and events to meet retailers and customers in-person, we’ve spent our time learning, testing new formulations, and planning for the future. One of our biggest rewards was being invited to join Beautycounter’s Counteract Coalition which advocates for stricter guidelines and regulations to shift the personal-care industry away from using harmful and questionable ingredients.

Selam was also honored by CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) to be named as one of 26 Black women taking the beauty industry by storm. We took part in several webinars and interviews and were super excited about our first cover story feature in MG Magazine! 

One of the biggest gifts we were given is the gift of time. We spent time (maybe too much time!) with our families in a way that was never possible before. Because of that, we were hyper-focused on things that might regularly take a backseat to the daily grind. We have paid closer attention to our health—both physical + mental—and ways in which we can better care for ourselves and each other.

More than anything, we are thankful for YOU. Without you, our highs would not have been as enjoyable and our lows simply unbearable. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the love + support you have shown us throughout this crazy year.

We wish you a healthy + prosperous 2021.