Girl Native

One of the highlights of Viva Technology Paris 2026 was a conversation with a senior tech leader from a global beauty company. We talked openly about complexion technology and the ongoing struggle to make AI truly inclusive.

When she asked how I’m designing Āhua to bridge those gaps, it forced me to confront a question I can’t ignore anymore:

If global beauty companies have been “working on complexion tech for years,” then why are women of colour still not included at every step of the process?

Because when you look at the numbers, the usual excuses fall apart.

Here are the facts:

• The global dark‑skin cosmetics market was valued at $26.4 billion in 2025, projected to reach $52.8 billion by 2034.
• Independent reports place the market between $5.7B–$6.3B in 2024, growing to $9.7B–$11.7B by 2032–2033.
• Premium brands now offer 45–60 foundation shades, with a significant portion engineered for deeper skin tones because the demand is real.
• North America alone drives 33–38% of global dark‑skin cosmetic revenue.

These aren’t niche numbers.
They’re not “minority market” numbers.
They’re multi‑billion‑dollar numbers.

So when global beauty continues to build complexion tech around a narrow group, it’s not because “there’s no money in darker shades.”
The money is clearly there.

They’re just choosing not to pick it up.

That kōrero in Paris reminded me that Āhua is moving in the right direction. It showed me how differently teams around the world are trying to solve the same complexion challenges but without the cultural intelligence, lived experience, or inclusive data needed to actually solve them.

We’re not trying to be the first in the world.
We’re trying to be the ones who get it right the first time with a product that genuinely sees every shade and every person.

Grateful for the conversation.
Clear on the mission.
And even more committed to building complexion tech that serves our communities with integrity.

✨ Calling All Indigenous Beauty Brands ✨

Entries for the Global Indigenous Beauty Awards 2026 are officially open.

This global awards programme celebrates Indigenous excellence in beauty - our stories, our ingredients, our innovation, our culture. From Aotearoa to the Pacific, Turtle Island to Latin America, the Arctic Circle to Africa, Indigenous beauty is rising. These Awards exist to honour that.

If you are an Indigenous-owned or aligned beauty, skincare, haircare, fragrance, or wellness brand — this is your moment to be seen on a global stage.

Categories include:
Skincare • Haircare • Body • Fragrance • Storytelling • Indigenous Ingredients • Packaging & Design • Sustainability • Innovation • Community Impact • Founder Awards

Key Dates:
Entries Open: 23 March 2026
Early Bird Ends: 25 April 2026
Entries Close: 30 May 2026
Finalists: 11 June 2026
Winners: 20 June 2026

DM - AWARDS for the link

Let’s honour Indigenous beauty — worldwide.
IndigenousOwned

🌺 Entries now open
GLOBAL INDIGENOUS BEAUTY AWARDS 2026

Indigenous beauty lives everywhere — in our lands, our lineages, our rituals, our innovation. Today we begin mapping it.

This is the Global Indigenous Beauty Map.
A living directory of Indigenous beauty brands, founders, and creators from every corner of the world.

From Aotearoa to Turtle Island, the Pacific to South America — we’re charting the stories, the culture, and the excellence that shape our global beauty landscape.

If you know an Indigenous beauty brand that deserves to be seen, tag them below!
We’ll be adding new pins every week and spotlighting new brands and founders as they enter the awards!

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✨MEET THE JUDGES✨

We’re so proud to announce the first 4 judges on the 2026 panel for the Global Indigenous Beauty Awards!
An elite lineup of expertise, leadership, and Indigenous excellence. Thank you all for being part of the world’s most first Indigenous beauty awards 🥹✨

SWIPE NEXT TO MEET THE JUDGES ➡️

Jenn Harper

Tribal Affiliation/s: Ojibwe, Northwest Angle #33, Kenora ON
Founder & CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC, championing Indigenous representation and sustainability while giving back over $250K to community.

Tiila Abbitt

Founder of ATHR Beauty and former Sephora executive, a global leader in clean beauty and sustainable product innovation.

Kaye‑Maree Dunn

Tribal Affiliation/s: Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Mahanga, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Ngāi Te Rangikoianaake
Māori tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Making Everything Achievable, leading innovation, governance, and community impact across Aotearoa.

Rawinia Rimene

Tribal Affiliation/s: Whakatohea, Rangitāne, Ngāti Raukawa ki Wharepūhunga, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa
Founder & CEO of Girl Native and creator of the Global Indigenous Beauty Awards, dedicated to elevating Indigenous beauty, culture, and wāhine leadership.

ENTRIES NOW OPEN! LINK IN BIO 🤍
(Closes in May)

What are you waiting for? ☺️

IndigenousBeauty

✨ Calling All Indigenous Beauty Brands ✨

Entries for the Global Indigenous Beauty Awards 2026 are officially open.

This global awards programme celebrates Indigenous excellence in beauty - our stories, our ingredients, our innovation, our culture. From Aotearoa to the Pacific, Turtle Island to Latin America, the Arctic Circle to Africa, Indigenous beauty is rising. These Awards exist to honour that.

If you are an Indigenous-owned or aligned beauty, skincare, haircare, fragrance, or wellness brand — this is your moment to be seen on a global stage.

Categories include:
Skincare • Haircare • Body • Fragrance • Storytelling • Indigenous Ingredients • Packaging & Design • Sustainability • Innovation • Community Impact • Founder Awards

Key Dates:
Entries Open: 23 March 2026
Early Bird Ends: 25 April 2026
Entries Close: 30 May 2026
Finalists: 11 June 2026
Winners: 20 June 2026

ENTER HERE: https://form.jotform.com/260843167743866?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&_kx=5MG7BtY3IcEtTnACA3Ome4ceI--2LU-KtsOJi9NhOOkvkQZoV54zZ7ckByCTRbeo.XqWmkZ

Let’s honour Indigenous beauty — worldwide.