TULSA, Okla. –
A Tulsa beauty pop-up is trading makeup brushes for beakers, giving girls a hands-on introduction to science through cosmetic chemistry.
At Black to the Lab, young students put on lab coats and create their own lip gloss, body scrubs, and bath bombs while learning how beauty products are formulated.
Founder Kristen Wells-Collins says many people think cosmetics are simply makeup, but behind every product is science.
A boutique, studio and classroom in one space
Black to the Lab operates inside the Tulsa Beauty Collective, a shared retail and experiential space created by four founders who went through the Build in Tulsa accelerator program. The pop-up opened in late November 2025.
When girls walk into the lab space, they’re greeted with instructions before they begin mixing ingredients.
“Before you sit down, just put your lab coat on,” Collins tells students.
Collins, who holds a degree in chemistry, said she didn’t know cosmetic science was a career path when she was in school.
“I had no idea about the cosmetic science industry until I started creating some of my own products in my kitchen, much like the pioneers in the beauty space like Madam C.J. Walker,” she said.
Now, she’s combining her background in science with her passion for youth development to introduce girls to STEM in a culturally relevant and engaging way.
Black to the Lab offers hands-on cosmetic chemistry workshops
For many of the girls, the workshop feels more like a fun experience than a classroom lesson.
Ashlyn and Aubrey Brenner attended a lab session for a friend’s birthday.
“I thought it was really pretty exciting,” Aubrey said.
Ashlyn added her own scent to the mixture.
“I put vanilla scent and, like, it smells very good,” she said.
Cassidy Headings said her favorite part was “putting the lip gloss into the tube.”
Collins hopes the experience sticks with the girls long after they leave.
“Hopefully, today was a lasting memory that will always be etched into your brain, especially when you get back to science class,” she said.
Final STEM Saturday approaching
Black to the Lab will host its final STEM Saturday event on Feb. 21 before the pop-up closes.
Parents can continue shopping online, and schools can still book learning activations for more in-depth workshops.
The Tulsa Beauty Collective is located near Boston Avenue and Reconciliation Way, across from the Woody Guthrie Center in downtown Tulsa.
Click here to explore the brand: https://www.tulsabeautycollective.com/
