Written By Tracey Khan
For entrepreneur Chyna Russell, beauty has always been about more than appearance. It is about confidence, ownership and creating spaces where women feel seen, valued and powerful.
Known widely as Chyna Dollhouse, the New York businesswoman has spent more than two decades building a brand rooted in empowerment, community and leadership. As founder of the beauty brand The Dollhouse Cosmetics and the luxury nail salon Dolly Nail Bar in Brooklyn, Russell has developed businesses that center Black women, not only as clients but as leaders and owners in the beauty industry.
Her journey began when she opened her first beauty bar, long before the concept became widely recognized in the beauty space.
“At the time, people didn’t even understand what a beauty bar was,” Russell said with a laugh. “They thought I was selling drinks. But I knew what I was creating. I was following my passion.”
That vision would grow into a multi-layered brand that blends beauty services, cosmetics, speaking and mentorship. But Russell says the mission has always been deeper than business.
“I know that God placed me here to be a vessel,” she said. “Everything I do is about serving others and helping women see their own power.”
Russell’s work also speaks to a larger issue within the beauty industry. While Black women are among the largest consumers of beauty products and services, ownership within the industry has historically been limited.
“We drive the culture and we spend the money, but we’re not always the owners,” Russell said. “I wanted to change that narrative.”
Her newest venture, a luxury nail salon, was designed with that exact goal in mind: to provide an elevated space in her community where women could experience both beauty and luxury.
“I want women to walk into my space and feel pampered and valued,” she said. “Black women deserve luxury too.”
Russell has also been intentional about investing in the neighborhood that helped shape her. Rather than moving her businesses elsewhere, she chose to build them within her own community, believing that representation matters.
“I want young girls walking down the street to see what’s possible,” she said. “If they see someone from their community doing it, they can believe they can do it too.”
Today, Russell continues to expand her ventures, with plans to enter the café and beverage space while continuing to mentor women pursuing entrepreneurship.
But even as her empire grows, her mission remains the same: to build a legacy and remind women of their worth.
“There is nothing a Black woman cannot do,” Russell said. “We are creators. We are leaders. And it’s time we build for ourselves.”
Images Courtesy of The Dollhouse Cosmetics
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