Taylor of Brooklyn
June 24, 2022/ Photo: Courtesy of Taylor of Brooklyn
Chris Hemingway’s inclusive skincare journey started with a dilemma.
“I was getting into skincare but wasn’t finding anything that was what I was looking for,” he explained. “I'm also pretty particular about what I use on my skin, first because I have sensitive skin and second because It turns out I’m a very picky person.”
Hemingway decided to start researching effective skincare ingredients to create his own products— and discovered the efficacy of oils along the way. This process also led to a deep appreciation for the communities who had historically cultivated these ingredients.
“When I decided to turn what I made into a brand, it was essential for me to recognize and celebrate those histories and communities,” he said.
The resulting brand, Taylor of Brooklyn, promises skin solutions “for everybody and every body.” The Black and Queer owned company aims to celebrate POC and LGBTQ+ communities, who have historically been under-represented in the skincare sphere.
Hemingway’s development strategy starts with a lot of research into both modern and time-tested ingredients. After that, it’s all about experimentation with some eager participants.
“First I try it and then I make my boyfriend try it and when we have something that I think is working, I have a group of friends that I ask to try stuff out,” he explained. “It’s important to me to have a diverse group of voices to understand how people are using something, if it’s working for them, and how it makes them feel. But ultimately I decide if I like the products because I use them everyday.”
The brand’s website features a range of face oils for hydration, balance, and universal use — as well as a foaming powder “Mug Scrub” face cleanser. Each product features natural active ingredients like softening baobab oil and hydrating sacha inchi. They are also packaged to create as little waste as possible.
Hemingway is hoping to expand the brand with new products in the future. He also created a special self care box for Pride Month in collaboration with other Queer-led companies, like We Are Fluide and Queer Candle Co. 45% of proceeds from the “Proud to Be Me” box will be donated to the Ali Forney Center in New York, which aims to protect LBGTQ+ from the harms of homelessness.
“Pride is such an important time. It’s of course a protest and also a party, but it should also be a time for us to celebrate ourselves,” he said. “I wanted to make something to help everyone take a beat and take some time for themselves.”
More about Taylor of Brooklyn can be found here.
