Kristen Wells-Collins is transforming beauty and STEM education, inspiring over 3,500 girls with hands-on learning through her ‘Black to The Lab’ initiative.
BEAUMONT, Texas — a Beaumont native is working to change who gets seen — and who gets heard — in the world of beauty and science.
Kristen Wells-Collins, founder of Black to The Lab, is introducing young girls to cosmetic science through hands-on STEM education, blending chemistry with creativity to expand representation in the field.
A graduate of Beaumont’s Central High School, Wells-Collins earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and community development from Prairie View A&M University. She credits her early education in Beaumont, including time spent at the former Austin Middle School, with shaping her path.
“I learned how to sew, bake cookies and then some of our homerooms were also in this hallway too,” Wells-Collins said.
Returning to those hallways, she said, serves as a reminder of the support she received growing up.
“I can see how every single investment, every single opportunity that was poured into me that it sprouts the moment I return,” Wells-Collins said.
She launched Black to The Lab in 2020 as a STEM learning initiative designed to introduce students to cosmetic science — a field she says remains limited in academic access and representation.
“There are only two universities in the entire country that offer Bachelors of Science in cosmetic science,” she said.
Through interactive kits and workshops, students create products such as lip gloss, body scrubs and bath bombs while learning the chemistry behind them.
“The kids get a chance to create a lip gloss and a body scrub but then they’re also learning the science behind those two products they’re creating,” Wells-Collins said.
Her newest curriculum explores the connection between agriculture and cosmetic formulation.
“This is our most recent kit and this is where we explore the relationship of agriculture into cosmetic science,” she said. “they are creating bath bombs but what’s unique about the bath bombs they’re creating, there’s different ingredients”
Since its launch, Wells-Collins says the program has reached more than 3,500 girls through classroom activations, community events and private workshops.
Her work recently drew national attention when she appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show.
“I felt really inspired to be on the Jennifer Hudson show in particular being interviewed by Jennifer and her success and even thinking about all she has had to experience in life,” Wells-Collins said.
At the core of her mission is a message about persistence and purpose.
“It’s never linear. If you steward each one of those zig zags very well, then you will land exactly where God wants you to be,” she said.
Through Black to The Lab, Wells-Collins said she hopes to ensure more Black women are not only the faces of beauty brands — but leaders in the laboratories behind them.
