Lyvv Cosmetics secures USD 1M in blended finance to scale manufacturing
Lyvv positions itself as a premium African luxury brand, challenging imported heavyweights in the clean beauty space.
GHANA – Barka Capital has led a USD 1M investment in Ghana-based Lyvv Cosmetics, marking a pivotal boost for African clean beauty.
This blended funding, split between USD 500,000 in equity and USD 500,000 in a working capital loan, fuels the brand’s global expansion into retailers like Sephora and Ulta.
Lyvv Cosmetics secured the cash to scale manufacturing and create over 100 jobs in rural areas.
Barka Capital, a climate-focused fund, backs the deal for its tie-in with sustainable sourcing and landscape restoration via African botanicals like baobab and moringa.
From a lipstick line launched eight years ago, Lyvv pivoted to high-demand organic skincare tailored for melanin-rich skin, hitting USD 550,000 in revenue in 2025.
It shifted from B2B wholesale to influencer-led D2C e-commerce, now spanning five countries with FDA-certified, farm-sourced products.
The investment validates homegrown D2C brands in Africa’s consumer goods space, blending cultural appeal, like Berla Mundi ambassadorship and Times Square pop-ups, with scalable digital ops.
Meanwhile, late last year, Lyvv Cosmetics announced its official launch on Amazon across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking a pivotal expansion for the West African-born brand.
This Amazon entry represents a strategic milestone, proving that a West African brand can thrive in competitive global markets through adherence to international standards and vision.
Victorine Sarr Awuah highlighted the pride in this step, noting that it offers a beauty experience that blends naturality, excellence, and cultural identity.
Founded by Senegalese entrepreneur Victorine Sarr Awuah, Lyvv Cosmetics specialises in natural, innovative beauty products designed for women and men of colour, leveraging West African botanical ingredients.
The brand, now presented as Maison Lyvv in North America, emphasizes clean formulations, organically derived ingredients, and inclusive shades to simplify beauty routines.
Already available in six countries prior to this move, it upholds a mission of natural, accessible, and identity-driven beauty.
The launch redefines beauty for Black and mixed-race skin with multifunctional products like peptide serum lip glosses, entering the world’s largest beauty marketplace.
Supporters, including African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative alumna networks, encouraged purchases to back this growth from Africa to North America.
By early 2026, promotions reinforced its clean beauty appeal “on your doorstep in America.”
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