This profile is part of the Glossy Pop Guide to Influencer-Founded Brands, covering the fashion, beauty and wellness companies started by people who built their careers on social media. More from the series →
This profile is part of the Glossy Pop guide to influencer-founded brands, covering the fashion, beauty and wellness companies started by people who built their careers on social media.
What started as a personal beauty and hair-care YouTube channel in 2008 quickly became a successful platform for Jackie Aina. Since the start of her career, advocating for shade inclusivity for darker complexions in the beauty industry has been the cornerstone of her work. Aina has not been afraid to call out non-inclusive products and companies. And her drive to make real change in cosmetics opened the door for collaborations with E.l.f., Sigma Beauty, Artist Couture, Anastasia Beverly Hills and Too Faced. In these collaborations, Aina helped expand shade ranges in each brand’s beauty products. In 2020, she decided to take matters into her own hands by creating her lifestyle brand FORVR Mood. FORVR Mood’s wants to change the narrative that Black women must always be strong by encouraging women to take time for self-care. Branching a bit outside of fashion and beauty, FORVR Mood sells candles, in addition to fragrances and skin-care products. And FORVR Mood and Aina continue to prioritize inclusivity in the beauty industry.
Who: Jackie Aina (FORVR Mood)
Platforms: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok
What are you known for & how did you get your start? I started my YouTube channel in 2009 while I was living in Hawaii and serving in the United States Army Reserve. At the time, YouTube was very popular and I had noticed the lack of inclusivity in the industry for Black women. I got so tired of feeling othered and decided to do something about it, so I taught myself how to apply all of these different looks that would work with my complexion on my channel without realizing the impact I was making. After some time, my following kept growing and growing, which I think has to do with my authenticity and being a voice for people of color, sharing my techniques for a wide variety of skin tones, and calling out the industry to make changes towards inclusivity.
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What’s the brand: Candles and room sprays
Find it: FORVRMood.com and Sephora (both in-store and online)
Why did you decide to bring a brand into this crowded marketplace?
I launched FORVR Mood for fans who wanted to try things that I recommended and love things that I do, but are not necessarily into makeup. From a very young age, I always loved fragrances and it had been a dream of mine to create my own.
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What makes the brand different?
FORVR Mood is luxury self-care that is also affordable and attainable to everyone. It’s all about things that make life easier and fill you with comfort.
Fun Fact: When I was young, my mother and I used to bond over fragrance. Those memories coupled with my love of fragrance served as inspiration in creating FORVR Mood.
Best seller: Cuffing Season
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