Vegan Lipstick Brand to Open Makeup Shop in Detroit

Detroit-based vegan lipstick brand The Lip Bar plans to open its first stand-alone makeup shop in early 2019. The 300-square-foot space will offer the brand’s signature collection—which consists of vibrant lipstick shades currently sold in 450 Target stores nationwide—along with products that are exclusive to the shop. “My goal is to create a unique product offering and experience that cannot be found elsewhere,” The Lip Bar founder Melissa Butler told VegNews. “I wanted to create something for my community. But also, I really love allowing people to have that one-on-one interaction with the product. It creates a deeper connection, and that’s really what it’s all about.” Butler founded the brand in 2012 to fill a gap in the beauty market for bold, vegan lipstick shades that challenge the standard of beauty by focusing on inclusivity and representation. In 2015, Butler attempted to raise funding for a vegan beauty truck on investment reality show Shark Tank but the show’s investors rejected the idea. The Lip Bar is now a profitable company, and Butler’s goal is “growth in every direction,” including within its online shop, permanent location, and through other retailers.