Blending beauty with science, Dabota Lawson, founder of Dabota Cosmetics, is redefining the cosmetics industry while empowering African women worldwide
Beauty is often dismissed as superficial, and the dedication it takes to refine one’s appearance rarely earns the respect given to inner growth. Dabota Lawson, founder of Dabota Cosmetics, is here to change that. More than a beauty queen, Lawson is an entrepreneur whose vision challenges conventional makeup stereotypes, proving that commitment to beauty can be just as powerful as the work within.
For Lawson, beauty is not merely skin deep — it is science, business, cultural heritage, and an engine for economic growth. A mother, former Miss Nigeria UK, and entrepreneur, her transition into the cosmetics world was profoundly personal, sparked by a battle with hormonal acne. This crisis evolved into a powerful mission: to establish a brand rigorously rooted in sensitive skin solutions, global quality standards, and the bold advocacy needed to elevate the African beauty industry into a respected, systemised economic force.
In this edit of The Woman Behind The Brand, Dabota Lawson reveals the resilience, intellect, and audacious vision driving her mission to showcase African beauty to the world. At the heart of her journey lies a deeply personal philosophy that shapes every bold step she takes.
The Journey: From personal crisis to global vision
What’s the inspiration behind the launch of Dabota Cosmetics?
It was a culmination of personal passion and crisis. I had a finance background, but winning Miss Nigeria UK exposed me to the beauty industry. The defining moment, however, was in 2014 when I experienced severe hormonal acne due to depression. This forced me into deep research, and God revealed I could merge my love for finance with the need for science-backed beauty. I realised I had to create solutions for myself and others.
How did your background in modelling and pageantry shape your understanding of beauty and skincare?
It truly opened my eyes to the mechanics of the industry, the publicity, and the power of beauty. It gave me an initial understanding of how it all works, though my deeper appreciation for beauty as a science and a business came later.
What was the biggest mindset shift you had to make moving from beauty ambassador to beauty founder?
The biggest shift was transitioning from being the face to being the financial and scientific backbone. I had to embrace the fact that beauty is more than just creativity.
Building the brand: Science, quality, and purpose
How would you describe the woman you create for — who is the “Dabota Cosmetics” woman?
Our brand is for sensitive skin, and we embrace minimalism. She’s a woman who values bold looks and colour, but never at the expense of her skin health. She cares deeply about ingredients.
What are some of your hero products, and what makes them special or unique to African women?
I absolutely love our powder palette. It’s incredibly versatile — it has a translucent powder, highlighter, brow filler, and contour kit all in one. It has a beautiful velvet finish that looks like your own skin and covers about 80% of your makeup needs. Our core focus is on ensuring all our products are alcohol-free, cruelty-free, and non-comedogenic (doesn’t clog skin).
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced building and sustaining a cosmetics brand in Nigeria?
One of the biggest challenges is fundraising and getting people to respect beauty as a science and not solely as a creative endeavour. Another major hurdle is the lack of intellectual property protection laws. Without them, my formulas can be easily copied and sold at a lower standard, and I have no direct legal recourse.
How do you ensure quality control and consistency across your product line?
We work with a certified industry partner that has 36 years of experience. We are always looking for the best and aim for a worldwide standard quality because we know our customers deserve nothing less.
Read also: Chidiogo Mbelede is creating a skincare brand rooted in care for African women
Representation and African beauty
What does African beauty mean to you today?
It means our own soft power. Beauty, like entertainment, is a powerful way to introduce the world to our culture while stimulating our economy — much like what we’ve seen in South Korea. Our beauty secrets are our culture and heritage; we are communicating who we are through beauty, and the world is finally listening.
How do you see Dabota Cosmetics contributing to the representation of African women in the global beauty conversation?
We contribute by setting a worldwide standard. We are challenging the notion that African beauty is shallow. We are an example of an African-led brand that prioritises science, quality, and business rigour, showing that we can export excellence.
Beyond products, how does Dabota Cosmetics empower women or give back to the community?
My current work is focused on advocacy. I am actively working with women to get a seat in the Senate. We want the beauty industry to be formally recognised on official government forms because it’s a huge, job-creating economy. It’s about showing that beauty is an honourable job that impacts people and communities.
The future: global growth and tech integration
What excites you most about the future of beauty in Africa?
Growth is possible if we systematise and invest properly. We have the raw materials, the creativity, and the power to grow our economies significantly through this industry. We need recognition and capital injection to fully realise this potential.
What innovations do you think will shape the African beauty industry in the next 5–10 years?
AI and technology will be key. I believe AI should move beyond simple art recreation to handling complex tasks like taxes and, crucially, providing personalised skin analysis. This will make consultations more affordable and sustainable, cutting down overhead costs.
What’s next for Dabota Cosmetics —any upcoming launches or expansions we should look forward to?
World domination! Seriously, our current focus is on expansion into Latin America. I’m taking classes and learning the specific market and regulatory requirements, which are different from the FDA. We are already present in the US, Canada, Europe, and Africa, and are diligently working to tick every box to expand our global footprint. I’m also creating a digital product — a beauty book and digital classes — because knowledge is as important as the products themselves.
Get to know Dabota Lawson
Go-to product when I suddenly break out
My salicylic acid pimple patch. It calms, treats, and keeps me from touching the breakout.
One product that is in my beauty bible
Because my skin is acne-prone, gentle exfoliation is essential, and as a woman, retinol is non-negotiable. Tretinoin is the one product I always return to. It keeps my skin renewing, refined, and even.
A beauty step I’ll never skip, no matter how tired I am
Cleansing. Even if I don’t do a full routine, I must go to bed with clean skin — no makeup, no buildup, no bacteria, no city pollution. My skin must breathe.
A beauty trend I secretly love, and one that’s overrated
Secretly love: The clean-girl, glass-skin finish, I actually love how effortless and fresh it looks (still working to achieve it myself).
Overrated: LED light therapy. It’s not as effective long-term as people hype it to be.
One word that describes Dabota Cosmetics
Clean.
Read more: Abi Akerele is creating self-care sanctuaries with The Nail Boutique & Groomed by Elereka
