Beautytap Founder Spotlight: Tisha Thompson of LYS Beauty

A passionate visionary with deep roots in product development and brand strategy, Tisha Thompson is a true trailblazer in the beauty industry. In 2021, she launched LYS Beauty—making history as Sephora’s first Black-owned clean beauty brand—with a mission to deliver inclusive, high-performing, affordable makeup.

Every formula is thoughtfully crafted to nourish the skin, empower confidence, embrace diversity, and all priced under $30. The luxe collection for face, eyes, and lips includes blush, matte bronzer, setting and highlighting powders, serum foundation (with an impressive 35 diverse shades!) serum primer, mascara, eyeshadow, brushes, lipstick, and the recently launched and highly coveted Speak Love Lip-Plumping Glossy Balm.

Skin-loving ingredients (turmeric, avocado oil, hyaluronic acid, ashwagandha, vitamins C and B3, green tea leaf, chia seed) brighten, balance, hydrate, and plump with anti-aging moxie. LYS Beauty feels as good as it looks for barely there makeup or gorgeous glamour. We are captivated.

May Tisha’s genuine reflections on life and business usher in heaps of motivation…

What drives your clean, inclusive, and admirable brand philosophy?

I launched LYS Beauty at the height of the pandemic, which was a time when people were really starting to reassess what beauty meant to them. With fewer people wearing makeup every day, the spotlight shifted to skin health and ingredient transparency. That moment felt like the right time to have a deeper conversation—not just about clean beauty, but also inclusivity and confidence that doesn’t rely on covering up. I knew the excitement for makeup would come back, but I wanted to help usher in a new mindset that’s more about enhancing and embracing who you are, rather than changing it. 

How does LYS Beauty stay ahead of trends and standout in the beauty industry?

In an industry as fast-paced and trend-obsessed as beauty, it’s easy to get swept up in the noise. But I stay grounded by focusing on the white space I’m targeting and the unmet needs that truly matter. For us, that means creating clean, high-performance products in genuinely inclusive shade ranges, all at an accessible price point. Too often, consumers are forced to choose between ingredient integrity and shade accessibility. We believe you shouldn’t have to compromise, and certainly not to feel confident in your look. 

“LYS” is an acronym for “love yourself.” How do you show yourself love?

The name is a constant reminder to check in with myself. Self-love can look different depending on the season, but right now, it means embracing slow mornings, moving my body in ways that feel good and sustainable, and choosing nourishment over restriction. And while my screen time wouldn’t say so, it also means finding time as an entrepreneur to unplug when I can and stay rooted in real-life inspiration. Lastly, I’m a stickler about committing to my beauty rituals—all those small indulgences that bring me back to the present. When life gets hectic and everything starts moving faster, I’m a big believer in simplifying self-love and weaving it into the everyday through small, meaningful moments. Sometimes that’s just five minutes at my vanity to pull myself together. 

What inspires you to develop new products and are there must-have ingredients?

I approach product development from two angles. First, I study the market to see what consumers are reaching for and where they’re still being underserved. Are people leaning into skinimalism or gravitating towards color? Where can we simplify routines without compromising results? Second, I look internally to see what’s missing from our own lineup. Every launch should either solve a problem or streamline your routine by combining the functionality of various products. We’re building a collection that works for everyone—from beginners to pros—and that starts with thoughtful formulas and ingredients that actually serve the skin.

As a trained makeup artist, can you share professional techniques for lustrous looks?

Skin prep is honestly the real MVP of any makeup look. Hydrated skin gives everything else a better base and surface for makeup to blend seamlessly on. For dry or normal skin, I always recommend layering a good moisturizer with a hydrating primer. If you have oily or blemish-prone skin, reach for an oil-free moisturizer and pair it with a mattifying primer to help control shine and lock everything in place. The canvas you start with makes all the difference.

What hero products are part of your daily makeup rituals?

As much as I love complexion, brows are my true non-negotiable and I don’t feel put together without them! Our Secure Brow Pencil is special to me because it was inspired by my late mother and our shared love for how brows frame the face during her fight against breast cancer awareness. 

What were some of the challenges you faced building LYS Beauty and how did you overcome them?

Launching a brand during a global pandemic was challenging to say the least. We faced supply chain disruptions, shipping delays—you name it. Every step of the process was more complex than we imagined, but it also revealed how agile we were, and how timely this mission was. At a time when people were rethinking their relationship with beauty, we leaned into our core values: clean, skin-first, and inclusive. Once we navigated the logistical hurdles, the timing proved to be a blessing in disguise. The world was ready for a brand like LYS.

Is there a quote, song, or mantra that motivates you?

It’s hard to find a playlist of mine that doesn’t have Beyoncé because she’s my go-to when I need a mood boost. And there’s a quote from John Chambers that I love: “If you’re not a disruptor, you will be disrupted.” 

Are there any newer or unexpected marketing outlets you are exploring to build brand awareness?

Absolutely. While we love exploring new digital platforms, I’m also a big believer in the power of traditional touchpoints. I host bi-weekly “Be Disruptive” meetings with the team to brainstorm bold ideas, but sometimes that means leaning into the basics, like in-person events or thoughtful direct mail moments that make people feel seen. It’s not always about reinventing the wheel. Sometimes, it’s just about showing up consistently, in ways that feel real and resonant.

What was the process of securing investment in your brand? And any suggestions for aspiring entrepreneurs who dream of launching their own brands?

Securing investment was a journey. It took over 30 investor meetings and a lot of emotional resilience. You’re not just pitching your business…you’re aligning visions. It’s as much about finding the right partners as it is about proving your concept. When I connected with Encore, it just clicked. Their reputation for scaling disruptive brands made them the perfect catalyst for this next phase of growth. My advice? Be clear on your “why,” stay rooted in your mission, and don’t be afraid to walk away from opportunities that don’t feel right. Don’t make decisions out of desperation. 

How do you envision the impact and future of LYS Beauty?

This next chapter is about scaling with purpose and continuing to serve our customers in new and exciting ways. Our partnership with Encore is a catalyst, but the core of LYS remains unchanged—founder-led, values-first, and tirelessly focused on our community. We’re investing in innovation, expanding our team, and entering new markets with the goal of cementing our place as a true disruptor in clean beauty.

What is the significance of trusted reviews around your product? And what do you look for in a solid and authentic review?

Reviews are everything to us. They’re not just feedback, but an actual look into our community’s real experiences with our products. They get into how our products make people feel, how they help them show up more confidently, how they fit into their life, and what they’d like to see from us in the future. We utilize reviews as a way to close the feedback loop with our customer.

Please finish this statement: When people choose LYS Beauty…

They’re taking back the control of their own beauty narrative by embracing their skin, their power, their differences, and their story.