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Writer's pictureZara Mapanga

How Black Celebrities Are Revolutionising the Beauty Industry: Lessons from S’ABLE Labs


In the beauty industry, Black celebrities are more than just figureheads—they’re catalysts for meaningful change, representation, and inclusivity. Idris and Sabrina Elba’s S’ABLE Labs is a powerful example of how Black celebrities can shift the industry’s standards and inspire an inclusive vision of beauty. With their focus on “A Beauty” (African Beauty), S’ABLE Labs brings traditional African beauty knowledge and expertise to the global skincare stage, creating a brand that celebrates Black identity, history, and excellence. Their work isn’t just about skincare; it’s a bold step toward normalizing Black beauty standards, addressing real needs, and inviting the world to appreciate the depth of African-inspired beauty.

Black British celebrities like the Elbas play an essential role in shaping the UK beauty industry, which historically lacks the inclusivity seen across the Atlantic. By taking on beauty ventures, they challenge the industry to better serve Black consumers while championing innovation and creativity.



Setting a New Standard with S’ABLE Labs

Idris and Sabrina Elba’s dedication to inclusivity is evident in every product S’ABLE Labs creates. Their brand is a commitment to showcasing authentic African ingredients, traditions, and values, with skincare that centers on self-care and mindfulness. For the Elbas, “A Beauty” means embracing the practices and knowledge that have empowered African communities for centuries, a legacy they share with the world through their products.

This focus on African heritage allows S’ABLE Labs to redefine beauty standards. By creating products that honor dark skin tones, Black women’s beauty needs, and the diversity within the Black community, the Elbas are leading a movement that challenges Eurocentric norms. Their presence in the beauty industry signals to other Black British celebrities that they, too, can influence an industry traditionally slow to embrace diversity.



American Black Celebrities Leading the Charge

Across the Atlantic, Black celebrities in America have made powerful strides in transforming the beauty industry, paving the way for Black-owned brands and normalising inclusivity on a global scale.


Tracee Ellis Ross, founder of Pattern Beauty, has reshaped the haircare industry with products tailored to curly, coily, and textured hair. Her brand goes beyond token “curl creams,” offering products that truly serve the specific needs of textured hair and allowing consumers to embrace their natural beauty with pride.




Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty set a new benchmark for inclusivity when it launched with an unprecedented 40 shades of foundation, revolutionizing how brands approach product diversity. Rihanna showed the world that catering to all skin tones isn’t a niche; it’s a necessity. Her success sent a clear message that Black beauty brands are both profitable and powerful.





And Beyoncé’s Cecred is poised to take this movement even further. Her brand is expected to push the limits of creativity and inclusivity, with products designed to uplift and empower people of all backgrounds.




How Black Celebrities Drive Inclusivity, Creativity, and Innovation

Black celebrities bring authenticity, lived experiences, and cultural pride to their brands, qualities that resonate deeply with consumers seeking representation. They can move beauty brands away from tokenism toward genuine inclusion, transforming an industry that has historically overlooked the needs of people with dark skin tones, textured hair, and unique cultural beauty practices. By investing in beauty ventures, Black celebrities make a clear statement: the Black beauty community is diverse, vibrant, and here to stay.


Idris and Sabrina Elba’s S’ABLE Labs is more than just a skincare line. It’s a celebration of African knowledge, resilience, and beauty, a vision for what the beauty industry could look like if it centered on inclusivity and heritage. Their influence extends beyond their own products, inspiring other Black celebrities to take up space in beauty, shaping an industry that needs their voices and vision.


A Vision for the Future of Black Beauty

With S’ABLE Labs, the Elbas are breaking down barriers and encouraging future generations of Black British talent to follow suit. Their work in the beauty industry demonstrates the powerful impact Black celebrities can have, shifting the narrative toward one of diversity, creativity, and innovation. Just as in America, where Black-led brands are making waves, British Black celebrities have the potential to inspire real, lasting change.


The Black beauty industry’s future depends on Black voices, visionaries, and innovators who understand the needs, values, and history of their communities. By embracing beauty ventures, Black celebrities like the Elbas are helping to create a world where everyone can see themselves reflected in the products they use—a world where Black beauty is celebrated, respected, and here to lead.



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