In an industry overflowing with trends, transformations, and fleeting voices, few figures hold a presence as commanding, credible, and multidimensional as Kayla A. Greaves. A beauty expert, award-winning journalist, model, product creator, consultant, speaker, and on-camera talent, Greaves has spent more than a decade shaping the global conversations around beauty, identity, and innovation. Today, she stands as one of the most authoritative, sought-after voices in the space — a storyteller whose work bridges culture, academic insight, and the humanity of what it means to be seen.
With 13 years of industry experience, Greaves has navigated the beauty ecosystem from every angle: editorial, consulting, education, product creation, commercial modeling, and broadcast commentary. That rare combination of subject-matter mastery and creative versatility has cemented her status as a true multi-hyphenate — a woman whose influence moves with ease from boardrooms to runways to Hollywood sets.
A Researcher, A Radical Thinker, A Cultural Voice
From 2019 to 2022, Greaves served as an Expert Advisory Panel Member for the groundbreaking Real Cost of Beauty Ideals study — a collaborative initiative between Dove and Harvard University that examined the social and psychological impact of global beauty standards. Her contributions helped shape a cultural milestone in the conversation around representation, self-esteem, and the economics of beauty perceptions.
Greaves is not simply a commentator on beauty; she is an architect of the intellectual framework behind what the industry becomes next.
Award-Winning Journalist & Editorial Visionary
Before becoming one of beauty’s most recognizable faces, Greaves built her legacy through the written word. Her journalism career spans elite publications including Vogue, ELLE, InStyle, Allure, and more. She has interviewed some of the most iconic figures of our time — Kate Winslet, Brad Pitt, Naomi Campbell, Dolly Parton, Halle Berry, Dionne Warwick, Chaka Khan, and dozens of others — capturing their stories with clarity, empathy, and editorial precision.
Her talent has earned widespread recognition:
- Canadian Online Publishing Award (2016)
- “Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada” (2017)
- CBC’s “150 Black Women Making Canada Better”
- ByBlacks.com People’s Choice Awards nominee for Best Online Journalist
- Two Folio Award nominations with the InStyle team (2021)
Previously the Executive Beauty Editor at InStyle, she has shaped the modern beauty landscape through bold, culturally attuned storytelling.
A Dynamic Speaker & Cultural Educator
Her depth of knowledge has made her a sought-after speaker at some of the world’s most influential institutions. Greaves has shared her expertise at Harvard Business School, Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, The Jamaica Observer, Create & Cultivate, and numerous major conferences across North America.
She has moderated conversations with top industry leaders, offering a rare blend of journalistic sharpness, charisma, and cultural fluency. Her voice resonates across award-winning podcasts including Gloss Angeles, Naked Beauty, and Balanced Black Girl, where she seamlessly blends research, history, and lived experience.
Creator With Global Impact: “It Girl”
In June 2024, Greaves stepped into product development with the launch of “It Girl,” a fragranced body oil that became an instant cultural phenomenon. The formula — sensual, refined, and skin-loving — became a social media darling, generating millions of impressions, rave reviews, and press features across the globe.
Within months, “It Girl” was featured in ESSENCE, People, EBONY, Good Housekeeping, Byrdie, Us Weekly, and dozens more. It was named Best Body Oil of the Year by EBONY’s 2024 Beauty & Grooming Awards.
The product sold out repeatedly, building a passionate international fanbase before its discontinuation — which only intensified its cult status. Its legacy lives on as one of the most beloved indie product launches of the decade.
On-Camera Presence & Brand Partnerships
Greaves’ magnetic presence extends naturally to the screen. She has appeared as an expert commentator in major productions such as:
- HBO’s The Beauty of Blackness
- Netflix’s The Black Beauty Effect
- Additional national TV and digital appearances
Brands trust her because she brings both credibility and authenticity. She has led campaigns with SheaMoisture, Ulta Beauty, and Augustinus Bader, bringing a nuanced understanding of consumer behavior, culture, and beauty science.
The Industry’s Trusted Consultant
Behind the scenes, Greaves works with some of the biggest companies in the world — Unilever, Estée Lauder Companies, Procter & Gamble — advising across product development, storytelling, and trend forecasting. She helps brands understand what consumers truly want: honesty, representation, efficacy, and joy.
Her work spans mass, prestige, and luxury beauty, where her insights shape innovation and market positioning.
A Multi-Hyphenate Whose Influence is Still Growing
From her early days as an editor with a gift for conversation to her evolution as a beauty expert, cultural researcher, speaker, product creator, and on-camera talent, Kayla A. Greaves represents what modern beauty leadership looks like: informed, intentional, creative, inclusive, and undeniably impactful.
Now based in New York City, she continues to influence the future of beauty through her writing, her voice, her product philosophy, and the kind of experiential storytelling that shifts culture.
In an industry where authenticity has become its own currency, Greaves remains one of beauty’s most trusted — and transformative — forces.