From Public Rejection to the #1 Lipstick at Target: The Lip Bar's Melissa Butler on How to Persist and Succeed With Grace

In 2015, Melissa Butler pitched her brilliant business on ‘Shark Tank’ — a bold, colorful, and inclusive beauty line that she believed would disrupt the market. She was rejected and criticized, but that didn’t stop her. Years later, The Lip Bar would become one of Target’s best-selling makeup brands, garnering a huge fan base which included the likes of Michelle Obama (more on that in the episode!). Now, Melissa is partnering with Walmart to make her incredible beauty products even more accessible to everyone. In our interview, Melissa shares how she got into Target (it involves a blind email), the sacrifices she had to make to grow the brand, and why she’s so excited about working with a corporate retail giant, despite its bad rep. Plus, Melissa shares a Gloss Angeles exclusive having to do with her organization The BLK PACT — you don’t want to miss it.

Watch the Shark Tank clip // Watch Melissa’s Ted Talk

Urban Skin Rx HydraBalance Instant Moisture Infusion, $34

The Lip Bar Liquid Matte Lipstick in Boy Trouble, $13

The Lip Bar Vegan Lip Gloss in First Lady, $14

Sunday Riley Good Genes, $122

Clare Paint

The Jungalow

The BLK Pact

Thank God It’s Natural (TGIN) Honey Miracle Mask, $20

Listen to this episode from Gloss Angeles on Spotify. In 2015, Melissa Butler pitched her brilliant business on 'Shark Tank' - a bold, colorful, and inclusive beauty line that she believed would disrupt the market. She was rejected and criticized, but that didn't stop her.