AJ Addae, founder, chemist, and CEO of SULA Labs, shares her expertise on formulating and clinically testing beauty products tailored for melanin-rich skin and textured hair. With an impressive client list including Pattern Beauty, The Honey Pot Co., and John Legend’s skincare line, AJ knows exactly what it takes to build innovative, inclusive products that work.

In this episode, AJ dives into the biggest challenges beauty founders face, from navigating claims testing to balancing clean beauty with product efficacy and shelf life. She shares why inclusivity starts in the R&D lab and offers actionable advice on creating scalable formulations, leveraging ingredient research, and meeting industry standards to secure retailer partnerships. Plus, AJ unpacks key beauty trends like the rise of hybrid skincare-makeup products, niche body care, and textured hair solutions, giving founders a head start on what’s next.

Whether you’re launching your first product or scaling your brand, AJ’s practical insights and expert perspective will help you create beauty products that stand out and succeed.

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