With four Grand Slam titles to her name, tennis pro Naomi Osaka has made a name for herself in the industry. However, the star has taken on a new role, this time in the beauty realm.
Partnering with web hosting company GoDaddy and holding company A-Frame, Osaka’s brand KINLÒ, a line of skin-care products specifically created for darker skin tones, is officially live—and all four of the new products are retailing for less than $20.
“Bringing KINLÒ to life was a personal and professional goal of mine,” says founder and CEO Osaka according to a press release. “I am thrilled that my first entrepreneurial endeavor will be something meaningful to my community…Through my personal experience and learnings, I have found that Black, Brown, and other melanated skin toned communities are often an after-thought in the discussion and research surrounding sun care, including being excluded from clinical studies on skin cancer. Additionally, there is a lack of sun protection products being made with melanated skin in mind. These points have all led me to create KINLÒ, a mission-first brand.”
The first product in the highly-anticipated launch is Golden Rays Sunscreen SPF 50+ ($20), which is not only water-resistant and sweat-proof, but it also mattifies the skin for a poreless, natural finish. Also included in the lineup: aloe- and calendula-infused Hydrating Golden Mist ($15) for the perfect post-sun refresh; Hydrating Eye Cream ($15), which claims to protect against early signs of aging like wrinkles and dark patches; and Hydrating Lip Balm, which is included in the Golden Ritual Skincare Set ($50).
Previously admitting that she’s only started to wear sunscreen within the past couple of years, Osaka, who comes from a Haitian and Japanese background, said, “What drew me toward this project is having memories of being a kid and not knowing how to protect my skin,” reports Business of Fashion. In an Instagram post where she announced the launch of her brand, she wrote, “I hope these products can help a lot of people and potentially save lives because I really feel that we aren’t protecting ourselves as much as we could.”
