Building confidence in Clarendon
NCU student operates growing Skin Lab business in May Pen
Published:Saturday | January 10, 2026 | 12:06 AMOlivia Brown/Gleaner Writer
In an industry often shaped by fleeting trends and cosmetic quick fixes, Kyra Mills has built her brand on a more deliberate philosophy, one that places skin health, education and confidence at the centre of beauty.
Mills, 25, is founder and chief executive officer of The Skin Lab Beauty Bar, a growing enterprise in May Pen, Clarendon. Though her brand is relatively new, her entrepreneurial instincts and passion for beauty were formed long before she opened its doors.
A student at Northern Caribbean University (NCU), Mills told The Gleaner that her earliest exposure to entrepreneurship came at St Andrew High School for Girls, where volunteerism and personal development were integral to school life. In grade 10 she joined the crochet club to fulfil a graduation requirement, later becoming vice president. What began as an extracurricular activity evolved into her first venture, Like Ra Designs, producing crocheted bags, swimwear and resort wear.
“That experience taught me creativity, time management, customer service and the confidence to sell my work. It really laid the foundation for how I approach business today,” she recalled.
As a teenager, Mills spent afternoons sitting in on cosmetology classes at the HEART College of Beauty Services while waiting for her godfather, whose friend was an instructor. Those informal lessons in makeup, nails and hair sparked an early fascination with the industry.
After graduating from the Caribbean Maritime University with a degree in international shipping, Mills entered the workforce in her field of study. Yet stability proved unsatisfying. “I felt unfulfilled. That’s when I knew I needed to return to my first passion.”
She later enrolled part-time at the HEART College of Beauty Services, where formal training and mentorship – particularly from instructor Nadja Watson – reshaped her understanding of beauty. Mills began to see the industry not only as artistry but as a science-driven space focused on skin health and transformation.
As she practised makeup artistry, first on family and friends and later through lash services, one truth became clear: makeup never achieved its full potential on compromised skin.
“That was the moment it clicked for me. Beauty doesn’t start with makeup; it starts with healthy skin. Makeup should enhance confidence, not compensate for skin concerns,” she told The Gleaner.
ADDRESSING GAPS
This realisation led to the creation of The Skin Lab Beauty Bar, offering rejuvenating facials and targeted treatments tailored to melanin-rich skin and the demands of a tropical climate.
Operating out of May Pen has posed challenges. Building awareness and trust in a rural area required consistency, visibility and patience, especially for services unfamiliar to many. Marketing was among her biggest early struggles, forcing her to promote the brand through social media, community engagement and local events.
Her persistence has begun to pay off. Bookings rose during the festive season, particularly for low-maintenance, semi-permanent services. Clients preparing for events and travel opted for brow and lash lamination, brow tinting and cluster lashes, which provide a polished look with minimal daily effort.
Despite seasonal demand, Mills remains focused on personalised care. Careful scheduling, thorough consultations and strict service standards, she said, help maintain quality even at peak periods. “We prioritise quality over quantity. Every client deserves time, attention and expert guidance.”
Trust, she added, is central to her brand. Clear communication, hygiene, transparency and realistic expectations underpin each service, ensuring clients feel informed and comfortable from the outset.
Her approach is also shaped by community service. After Category-5 Hurricane Melissa devastated vulnerable communities, she helped form Girl Power JA with friends, distributing water and care packages in St Elizabeth and Westmoreland. That experience reinforced the importance of leadership, compassion and collective action, principles she now carries into her business.
Mills is currently pursuing further studies at NCU, balancing academia with entrepreneurship as she refines her vision. Looking ahead, she plans to expand The Skin Lab Beauty Bar into skincare product development tailored to Jamaica’s climate and skin tones, followed by her own makeup line. Training and mentoring future beauty professionals remain central to her long-term goals.
Ultimately, she hopes her brand will leave a lasting mark on the industry. “I want The Skin Lab Beauty Bar to raise the standard. To show that beauty begins with healthy, well-cared-for skin, and that confidence is built through knowledge, care and intention.”