If you’ve been feeling like your dollars aren’t stretching the way they used to — you’re not imagining it. Quietly, and without an official headline, we’re living through what many economists are calling a micro recession. And just like in 2008, the beauty industry — particularly among Black consumers — is shifting, adapting, and showing its resilience in real time.

I started noticing the patterns: clients spacing out appointments a bit more, opting for practical glam over elaborate transformations, and prioritizing treatments that last. But what stood out most was the déjà vu. This isn’t the first time we’ve danced with a downturn — and if history repeats itself, Black beauty consumers will once again lead the cultural and financial pivots in how beauty is consumed, valued, and sustained.

In this post, I dive into what’s happening beneath the surface — from lipstick index behavior to the rise of DIY beauty, the resilience of Black spending power, and what beauty professionals can do to not just survive but thrive through this next economic wave.

Because yes, things are shifting. But with the right strategy, awareness, and intentionality, your business doesn’t have to shrink. It can evolve.