Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chyna Russell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Chyna, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At Dollhouse Cosmetics, our mission is to create a safe, empowering space for women of color in the beauty industry—an industry we dominate but often find lacking when it comes to inclusive shade ranges. We believe every woman of color deserves to feel seen, valued, and celebrated. That’s why we offer an expansive range of shades, from the lightest to the deepest tones, ensuring that no one is left out. At Dollhouse, we hold no boundaries and proudly offer a place where women of all shades can feel beautiful and confident. We are dedicated not only to helping women look and feel their best, but also to providing opportunities for growth and representation in an industry that needs it. We take pride in empowering our women, allowing them to shine, and making sure they know they are worthy of being celebrated at every step. This mission goes beyond makeup. I am driven to break barriers in both beauty and community, inspiring women of color globally to know that we can achieve anything we set our minds to—while looking and feeling our absolute best.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Inclusivity isn’t just a value at Dollhouse Cosmetics—it’s our foundation. I created Dollhouse to celebrate the beauty of all complexions, with a focus on honoring and uplifting women of color. For too long, darker skin tones were overlooked in beauty, and I knew it was time to change the narrative.

As the CEO and Founder of Dollhouse Cosmetics, I am passionate about empowering women to embrace their natural beauty and stand boldly in their own skin. Our meticulously crafted products—foundations, concealers, body glow, glosses—ensure that every woman feels seen, valued, and stunningly beautiful, no matter her shade, race, or size.
I was a makeup artist for 15 years, and in the early stages of my journey, I would often see women of color light up when they saw me working at makeup booths for other brands. They felt excited to see someone who looked like them, but despite the representation, the products still didn’t match their skin tones. That’s when I made a promise to myself—no woman of color would ever feel overlooked or underrepresented again. And with that, Dollhouse Cosmetics was born.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Five years ago, after reopening my second brick-and-mortar location, a devastating fire completely destroyed my store. I had poured everything I had into reopening, especially after closing my first location, which had been open for 10 years. I was determined to return to the city where it all began, but in that moment, I felt utterly defeated. People around me tried to convince me to walk away, to give up. But deep inside, I knew this was either going to break me or make me stronger. I realized it was time for change, time to pivot and rise up.

I fought. I prayed. I built it back, piece by piece. I shut out the noise and listened to God. I understood that my business was never just about me—it was always about my people. It became a symbol of hope, resilience, and the power of community. When Black women walked into my store, they saw themselves reflected, and when little Black girls looked up at me, they saw what they could become. This wasn’t just about makeup—it was about legacy. It was about leaving something that could inspire others to keep going, no matter the obstacles. I didn’t just rebuild a business; I rebuilt a dream.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

When I created a collection with my face on the packaging, many people told me it was a bad idea. They said the world wouldn’t buy products with a Black woman’s face on them. But I was up for the challenge. How could it be true when I come from a bloodline of beautiful Black women? Every day, I see beautiful women—my sisters, my mothers, my daughters. In that moment, I knew I had to show Black women their own beauty and help them become comfortable seeing themselves reflected in the world of beauty.

Most of the time, Black women aren’t the face of beauty, so I knew this was bigger than just a product launch. My team was nervous, but I wasn’t. For me, it was never about making money—it was about changing lives. It was about showing Black women, especially those who rarely see themselves represented, that their beauty is powerful and deserving of recognition.

When the Dollhouse Cosmetics Brown Dollhouse Collection dropped, something incredible happened. Little Black girls—some of whom couldn’t even wear makeup yet—were excited to see themselves in this collection. And the results spoke for themselves: we made $360K in just one hour. That moment wasn’t just a success—it was a revolution, and it showed the world what Black beauty truly is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thedollhousecosmtics.com
• Instagram: Dollhousepretty Thedollhousecosmetics
• Facebook: The dollhouse cosmetics
• Linkedin: Chyna Russell
• Other: Tick tok – Thedollhousepretyy

Image Credits