Vash Beauty Labs

Vash Beauty Labs was born from Karlene Davis’ own experience trying to launch a haircare brand. With a background in biology and biomedical science, she developed her products but encountered a barrier many emerging beauty founders face; manufacturers with minimum order quantities far beyond what a new brand could realistically afford. She nearly gave up on her dream. 

Instead, that experience helped shape a bigger vision. Karlene went on to earn her second master’s degree in Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design and built the type of lab she once needed herself. 

Today, Vash Beauty Labs is a GMP-certified cosmetic lab on Chicago’s South Side that offers customizable private-label products with low minimum order quantities and develops and manufactures custom hair, skin, and body care products for growing beauty brands. 

Building Vash Beauty Labs on the South Side is personal to Karlene. Chicago is home, and as the lab grows, she wants that growth to stay in Chicago by supporting local entrepreneurs, creating jobs, and hiring and mentoring aspiring cosmetic scientists. Vash Beauty Labs is the lab Karlene once needed. Now, Vash Beauty Labs is helping emerging beauty founders bring their products to market while creating opportunities for the next generation of cosmetic scientists.