It’s rare to find a woman who doesn’t appreciate makeup and cosmetics, let alone not have them in her own storage bag for her makeup essentials. More often than not, the allure of beauty enhancements can be quite addictive, albeit wonderfully so. Personally, I’ve discovered that shopping for beauty products or applying makeup can be therapeutic—a deeply personal ritual I would always happily repeat.
Makeup empowers women to enhance their natural features, from defining eyes and accentuating cheekbones to creating fuller lips. Moreover, it serves as a tool for concealing blemishes, dark circles, and imperfections, promoting a more uniform complexion and enhanced facial look. This growing obsession fuels the expansion of the beauty industry, with more beauty brands continuously emerging and solidifying makeup’s global impact.
This is where Dabota Cosmetics comes in with its innovative and expanding brand modus operandi that not only delivers premium go-to products for beauty enthusiasts across boards but also exemplifies how luxury and sustainability can coexist, paving the way for a better future in skincare.
It’s impressive to see the dedication this beauty brand shows in making makeup and beauty products accessible to every woman in Nigeria and beyond. There’s so much to discover, so continue reading for everything we know of this brand and its founder, Dabota Lawson.
Who is the Founder of Dabota Cosmetics?
The brand was founded by former beauty queen Dabota Lawson, born on June 2, 1991, in Rivers State, Nigeria. Recognized for her entrepreneurial drive and initial fame through international beauty pageants representing Nigeria, Lawson pursued further education in Financial Economics at the University of Leicester and cosmetology in London.
In 2015, she launched Dabota Cosmetics, currently operating from Lagos Nigeria, with a vision to create top-quality, affordable beauty products designed for the varied skin tones and types of African women.
As per Daily Trust, Dabota affirms that “Beauty is not just about appearance; it’s about feeling good in your skin,” and this is reflected in Dabota Cosmetics’ marketing campaigns, which envision a future where every woman feels beautiful in her own skin and in her own unique way.
What is Dabota Cosmestic’s Commitment to Revolutionizing Beauty and Skincare in Nigeria?
Since its launch in 2015, Dabota Cosmetics has focused on creating innovative products that deliver real results. The brand’s product line includes a wide range of beauty and makeup items, such as the Dabota Flawless Finish and High Definition Foundation, which provides excellent coverage for acne scars and blemishes, the Betty Boo Lipstain, Tinted Primer, Dabota Setting Spray, and the City Series Eyeshadow Palette.
All products are minimalist formulated, non-toxic, and safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin, ophthalmologist-tested and approved, and free from harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and formaldehyde. The brand’s overriding mantra, as emphasized on their Instagram, is to “stay non-toxic with Dabota”
In June 2024, the brand introduced, through their Instagram, the Dabota Illuminating Lotion, designed to make your skin glow like a queen. This lotion features key ingredients that promote skin health, including propylene glycol, a moisturizer that helps the skin absorb and retain moisture; dimethicone, which creates a barrier on the skin to lock in moisture and keep it smooth; mica, which adds a shimmering effect to enhance the skin’s natural glow; Rosa (Rose) Centifolia flower water, known for its soothing and toning natural astringent properties; and glyceryl stearate, which emulsifies and conditions the skin to keep it soft and smooth.
Dabota Cosmetics ensures the effectiveness of its products through scientific backing and collaborations with dermatologists and cosmetics experts. Their beauty formulations target common skin issues like acne, aging, and sun damage. The brand’s commitment to this excellence in beauty, especially for the average African woman, has gained recognition across various platforms, earning numerous awards and accolades, including the Nigerian Beauty Industry Award for Best Skincare Brand in 2022.
To further bolster consumer trust, Dabota Cosmetics continually reinvents itself, evolving alongside global trends in product offerings and numerous collaborations.
What to Expect From Dabota Cosmetics in the Coming Years
In a general effort to rebrand and increase their commitment to sustainable beauty, the brand took to Instagram on June 18th to emphasize their clean, minimalist campaign and approach towards beauty, makeup, and skincare products.
The post read: “Reintroducing DABOTA! Experience ‘Clean, Minimalist DABOTA’ Beauty. Our non-toxic, mineral-rich products are designed specifically for sensitive and acne-prone skin, providing a clean, fresh, and minimalist touch. Embrace an inclusive approach to makeup that not only enhances your natural beauty but also heals and nurtures your skin.
In the video below, Dabota Lawson demonstrates a simple 4 to 6-step routine that anyone can follow to achieve a Clean Minimalist beauty look using Dabota Cosmetics products.
Beyond the brand’s product formulations, Dabota Lawson never misses the chance to highlight the means to the end we see each time a new Dabota product is launched. In an interview with Independent Nigeria, she highlighted that her brand collaborates with local Nigerian farmers to source organic raw materials. As per the statement, Dabota Lawson stated, “Supporting local agriculture is a win-win. It boosts the economy and ensures the freshness and quality of our products.”
She generously shares her wealth of experience in building the Dabota Cosmetics brand, believing in the importance of helping others learn and grow. This inspired her to launch her book, “From Likes to Launch,” where she shared invaluable strategies for makeup artists to harness the power of technology to amplify their growth and earnings.
Launched at the May 2024 Pan-African Makeup Empowerment Summit powered by EATOW Global, Lawson’s book continues to illuminate the path for aspiring entrepreneurs, spotlighting the importance of embracing digital innovation to expand their reach and build global success.
The brand actively engages with communities and organizations to promote a thriving beauty industry on multiple fronts. This commitment is exemplified through collaborations such as their partnership with Providus Bank in the Glam Makeup and Beauty Fair, where Dabota reinforced the brand’s vision. Similarly, Dabota participated as a guest at the 2023 #ShadesOfBeauty event, a collaboration between EcoBank and Her Network. At this event, Dabota Lawson spent the day facilitating, teaching, connecting, and learning while showcasing the offerings of Dabota Cosmetics. The event was curated for progressive women in the beauty space and those interested in expanding their knowledge of hair, makeup, and styling.
Recently, in June 2024, Dabota Cosmetics announced a new collaboration with Crystalline Clinic Ltd, known for its commitment to delivering high-quality aesthetic services to a diverse clientele. According to Business Day, this partnership merges Dabota Cosmetics’ expertise in proving clients with a holistic beauty experience that boosts inner confidence and enhances external beauty.
While specific details about this collaboration are currently undisclosed, we anticipate seeing the results of this integration of skincare, makeup, and aesthetic enhancements from this partnership in the coming months.
According to McKinsey, the beauty market, which includes skincare, fragrance, makeup, and haircare, generated around $430 billion in revenue in 2022. Today, all segments of the beauty industry are experiencing growth, with projections indicating a robust recovery since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2027, the market is anticipated to expand to about $580 billion, with an annual growth rate projected at 6%.
This growth trajectory signifies significant scaling opportunities for brands like Dabota Cosmetics and others that are genuinely poised to capitalize on the global beauty industry’s expansion.
