KIMBERLY SMITH, ESQ.
FOUNDER & CHIEF BEAUTY DISRUPTOR
Meet our founder, who has combined her two passions, travel and beauty, to create a beauty & cosmetics company for women of color.
As an Ivy League trained attorney, Kimberly advises companies navigating the complex regulatory world of the health care industry, but growing up, Kimberly always had a passion for fashion and beauty. “I can remember being one of the few girls who always wore heels and a full face of make up to class on my college campus,” says Kimberly. “Expressing myself through different hairstyles, make-up, and fashion, has always been fun for me.”
Kimberly used that passion and entered the beauty industry in 2017 launching Eighth+Kin (formerly Marjani Beauty), a platform recognized for leading the charge in championing inclusive beauty and becoming a trusted voice in elevating the shopping experience for multicultural
women. Many of the beauty industry's top BIPOC owned brands launched at Eighth+Kin, making our "Brown Girl Approved" stamp highly desired by emerging BIPOC owned beauty brands.
In traveling, both domestically and internationally, Kimberly has marveled at the beauty of women of color, “our varying shades, hair textures and physical features.” But, she has also observed that those very special qualities she holds dear are often not reflected in society’s standard of beauty. It is because of that, “our specific needs when it comes to beauty and cosmetics often go unfulfilled.” This is what sets Eighth+Kin apart from traditional beauty retail spaces. “We aim to not just be a retailer, but a community where shopping is a fun, affirming, memorable experience. Bringing international beauty and cosmetic products to the local consumer, and using this platform to empower women of color, across nationalities, age, hair textures and shades to embrace and claim their roles as trendsetters in the beauty space.”
Kimberly is originally from Philadelphia, PA, but now calls the District of Columbia home. She attended the Pennsylvania State University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
“I started this business to create a space where women of color could find products, from a curated selection of brands, that address our needs without having to compromise in quality, price or our appearance.”
Be Bold...
We've created a retail experience where beauty and cosmetic products just for you are accessible, no matter your shade, orientation, age, nationality or geographical location. We are building a community with those who share our passion and respect for the wide spectrum of beauty amongst black and brown women.
Be Unapologetic...
We are partnering with brands that highlight and celebrate our diversity and develop products specific to our needs. We are forming a global beauty ecosystem linking our buying power to the best "brown girl approved" brands across the globe.
Be True...
At Eighth+Kin, we shatter the ceiling of everything the world says beauty should be. We cater to black and brown faces by curating makeup & skincare collections from across the globe by brands who also believe that your beauty is anything but basic. In our world, rules are meant to be broken, and real beauty begins when you decide to do you.