KéNisha Ruff may be a self-proclaimed “full-fledged introvert,” but when the cosmetologist and fashion blogger steps out her well-put together ensembles and bright lipstick are hard to miss and her confidence speaks volumes.
Which explains why “Confidence speaks volumes,” is the motto for her beauty empire, Marie Hunter Beauty, named after Ruff and her son. She is a one woman show as the Founder and Creative Director, personal stylist and shopper and makeup artist, in addition to offering her own line of luxury brand cosmetic and skin care products.
Although MHB products are geared towards everyone, from those who hardly wear makeup to professional makeup artists, Ruff focuses on the needs of women of color.
“I feel like a lot of cosmetic lines really don’t cater to women of color, and when they do, the shade options are very limited,” she says.
She often encounters women of color who are hesitant to wear bright, bold lip colors because of their skin tone, but as an educational brand Ruff stays true her motto by instilling in women the confidence they need to try new things.
“A lot of the clients that I do get here, they don’t really wear a lot of makeup, but then they may find a lipstick that they like and they wear it all the time and they just seem so much happier,” says Ruff.
But Ruff’s service don’t just give her clients a boost, they raise her own confidence as well.
“Growing up I wasn’t as confident as I am now,” she says. ¨I feel like we all kind of go through those phases where we feel like we aren’t good enough or we don’t have the support we need and for me I had to figure out what made me feel good and it was cosmetics.
After switching gears from a criminal justice and forensics science major to cosmetology school, Ruff worked at multiple cosmetic counters to gain experience as a makeup artist and learn to work with different skin types.
But launching her own cosmetic line proved to be bit more difficult, as Ruff struggled to find people willing to teach her the ins and outs.
“When I wanted to start the cosmetic line I didn’t really know how to go about doing it, but when I reached out to people who had their own line, they would be really secretive,” says Ruff. “This whole process has a been trial and error for me figuring it out on my own. Since I haven’t had anyone really help me along the way, I want to be able to help other women looking to get into the industry.”
After experimenting, Ruff was able to successfully launch her cosmetic line in 2016, two years after she began beauty blogging.
Marie Hunter Beauty currently carries matte and satin lipstick as well as hydrating lip balm all available in a total of 36 shades.
Ruff is also preparing to add foundation to her cosmetic line and launch skincare products in time for the fall season.
Ruff’s confidence speaks volumes through more than just her personal appearance though, as she has turned the motto into a program where she donates $1 to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America for every product sold.
“I’ve experienced anxiety as an entrepreneur and even depression at some points too,” says Ruff.
In her blog section titled “Keeping up with Kaiye: “The Diary”, she openly discusses her own experiences with imposter syndrome, the ways she practices self care and inspirational quotes and manifestos.
“I just feel like mental illness needs to have more awareness to it, it’s underrated,” she says.
Her blog also includes style tips, a lookbook, and fashion and beauty gift ideas.
It didn’t take too long for the Marie Hunter Beauty brand to create the impact it has today and in the next few years she hopes to expand her cosmetic and skincare lines and open up her own store front.
“I don’t want to just be a trendy brand,” she says. ¨I want to be an iconic brand.”
