In a tribute to the transformative energy of Traditionally Black Faculties and Universities (HBCUs), Melissa Butler, founding father of The Lip Bar, has launched the HBCU Full Gloss assortment, a vibrant ode to the establishments which were integral to her journey. For Butler, a proud alumna of Florida A&M College, this assortment is greater than only a magnificence line; it’s a celebration of neighborhood, empowerment and resilience nurtured at HBCUs. “I owe a lot to my HBCU, particularly FAMU,” she says. “The richness of tradition there may be unmatched. My first prospects and staff had been HBCU grads, so I wished to indicate love in honor of how a lot love these establishments have given to women and men for generations.”
Her expertise at FAMU, which she fondly recollects as a “style present” of scholars constantly dressed to impress, deeply influenced her strategy to each private fashion and wonder. “At FAMU, I realized to all the time present up for myself, to place my greatest foot ahead, and that philosophy is mirrored in The Lip Bar. It’s about embracing who you might be and exhibiting up unapologetically on daily basis.” By means of her line, Butler extends this message to anybody who wears her glosses, aiming to encourage confidence and authenticity.
The HBCU Full Gloss assortment is very well timed as homecoming season kicks into full swing—a time Butler likens to a household reunion. “Homecoming is that second the place you see friends-turned-family and have a good time the unbelievable legacy of your college,” Butler mentioned. “However it’s additionally an opportunity to see the following era of leaders and entrepreneurs, and I make some extent to talk with college students, sharing my story to remind them that my success isn’t far faraway from the place they’re now.” As a part of this dedication, The Lip Bar is donating proceeds from the gathering to taking part HBCUs and just lately awarded a $10,000 scholarship to FAMU, a testomony to Butler’s dedication to giving again.
Creating a set that celebrates HBCUs resonates on a deeply private degree for Butler. “This is likely one of the proudest collections we’ve launched. HBCUs enable college students to embrace their identities with out the necessity to conform, which aligns with The Lip Bar’s mission: empowering individuals to like themselves as they’re. This assortment felt pure as a result of it’s an extension of our origin story, connecting with HBCUs’ emphasis on individuality and power.”
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Reflecting on her time at FAMU, Butler credit the expertise with instructing her key classes about accountability, management and resilience. “We had been reminded always that ‘excuses are instruments of incompetence.’ That sense of accountability has been invaluable in my journey as a enterprise proprietor,” she shared. FAMU’s neighborhood additionally instilled in her a spirit of assist that is still integral to her entrepreneurial strategy. “My first hires had been FAMU grads. At an HBCU, you study to ask for assist and to belief that others have your again.”
Butler’s recommendation to present HBCU college students dreaming of entrepreneurship is rooted in these experiences. “Faculty is the right place to apply the abilities wanted to run a enterprise—management, strategic planning and neighborhood constructing. Whether or not you’re pledging, becoming a member of a membership or organizing occasions, you’re studying tips on how to create and navigate a system, which is crucial for entrepreneurship.”
The HBCU Full Gloss assortment goals to deliver that sense of delight, nostalgia and appreciation to college students and alumni alike. “We would like each HBCU grad and pupil to really feel seen and valued,” Butler mentioned. “The TLB isn’t simply including to the wonder dialog; we’re celebrating HBCUs as areas the place brilliance, tradition and success come collectively.” By means of this assortment, Butler celebrates HBCUs as greater than tutorial establishments—they’re catalysts for id, confidence and ambition that depart a long-lasting affect on generations.
Store the total assortment named after totally different HBCUs beneath.
Value: $20
Store at The Lip Bar
