Meet Mekhaiya Harris of Me Ar Beauty

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mekhaiya Harris.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started Me, Ar Beauty, at the age of 14 years old and launched in 2021 during the pandemic.

My desire is to see an overflowing amount of cosmetics in stores for African American people, just like when you walk down the hair care aisle and see a large selection of products for others, I want to see full cosmetic aisles for African American and Indigenous people. As we all have different skin types and different hair types, there should not be a lack of access to us as we are some of the largest consumers in the United States.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has been interesting, I believe all entrepreneurs have to work 24/7 as you are the heartbeat of your business. The struggles I have are access to capital. Black entrepreneurs start their businesses with an average of $35,000 of capital, while white entrepreneurs start with 3x as much. Me Ar Beauty started with funds from my mother’s 9 to 5 and support from family, but not nearly as much as even the average amount most Black entrepreneurs start their business with. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO… Ramsey Social Justice Foundation, Jenny Norton, for the Black Feminine Reparation Seed of Love in honor of Madam C.J. Walker’s Legacy of entrepreneurial success and “paying it forward” for African American women. This reparation/investment was graciously provided to honor the dream, vision, persistence and success of Me Ar Beauty.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Me Ar Beauty?
In a world full of beauty standards that don’t relate to the average person, the founder and CEO, Mekhaiya, decided to bring cosmetics to the average person in the world. She dealt with hyperpigmentation, breakouts, oily skin, and uneven skin tones since she was young. Trusting many products on the market, but quickly realized how harmful these products were to her skin. Rather than giving up, she became determined to create her own line of cosmetics for all skin types! She focused on melanated skin tones as she saw the disparity in the representation of black-Indigenous people’s skin in the beauty industry. Sharing her dreams with her mother, Medina, the CEO, and Creative Mastermind, together they embarked on their destined path to take on the beauty industry!

Me Ar Beauty set a new standard that would benefit everyone! Because average people are the prize and amazing skincare products are the reward! Me Ar beauty plans to provide cosmetics to inner-city African American, black-Indigenous youth who are in lower-income families that cannot afford cosmetics products. We truly believe everyone should have access to proper skincare.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the diversity of Phoenix! You can find so many people from many different backgrounds here. I have learned so much from various cultures, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. This is what prompted me to want to make a product for everyone and all people, regardless of who they are.

Everyone should feel included and a part of something. What I least like about the city is though it is largely diverse, there is no inclusion for all in some settings. Young entrepreneurs should be highlighted in this city, allowed space on news outlets to share their business ventures, and sought after, and supported. I hope to change that dynamic in this city, in this state.

Pricing:

• $18.00 for a matte lipstick
• $8 for cream-based gloss
• $5 for high-shine lipgloss
• $10 beard oil
• $7-10 brown sugar scrub

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mearbeauty.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/me.ar.beauty/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/me.ar.beauty
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mearbeauty
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@MeArBeauty

Image Credits
Dorrell Edwards – Always Timeless Productions