HBCU Grad Who Trained 3,000+ Girls in Cosmetic Science Opens Tulsa STEM Classroom and Beauty Lab

Kristen Wells-Collins, a chemistry graduate of Prairie View A&M University, has turned her passion for cosmetic science into a mission to introduce girls from under-resourced communities to STEM. Raised in Beaumont, Texas, she had limited early exposure to science but discovered cosmetic chemistry after college and went on to found Black to the Lab, an educational initiative that blends hands-on experiments with beauty product formulation.

Hands-On Learning With Real Products

Black to the Lab supplies activity kits and runs workshops that let participants formulate lip gloss, body scrubs, lotions, and other beauty products. The curriculum uses familiar, culturally relevant entry points to teach fundamentals of chemistry, formulation, and product safety, helping learners build confidence and see science as approachable and relevant.

A New Home for STEM in Tulsa

Wells-Collins has taught more than 3,000 girls through Black to the Lab, according to her LinkedIn profile. That reach is poised to grow with the recent opening of Tulsa Beauty Collective, a storefront that houses a STEM classroom and a Beauty Bar & Studio where kids and adults can explore science, scent, and skincare by creating custom products.

We know that they know makeup, so they know science. We want young girls to know that their voices are important. I’m extremely passionate about the field of cosmetic chemistry and youth education, and I felt like I was truly called to this.

The Tulsa location was developed with local support from Downtown Tulsa Partnership and Build In Tulsa. Wells-Collins says the space is intended to "make science feel like home for every learner, especially the ones who rarely see themselves reflected in STEM spaces," and that opening in Tulsa honors her family's ties and creates opportunities for the next generation of scientists, creators, and innovators.

By combining practical cosmetic chemistry lessons with cultural affirmation and community investment, Black to the Lab aims to open career pathways, boost scientific literacy, and increase representation of Black girls in STEM.