Empowering Beauty: T McDonald Cosmetics' Journey of Purpose, Healing and Clean Innovation

Each T McDonald Cosmetics product "is vegan, gluten-free, infused with vitamin E, coconut oil  and created with passion, purpose, intention and care," according to its founder.T McDonald Cosmetics"T McDonald Cosmetics is a clean, vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand created to empower individuals to align their inner and outer beauty," says founder Terry McDonald. "The brand was born from my personal journey as a professional makeup artist, educator and single mom navigating the beauty industry while overcoming life’s challenges."

She adds, "I found healing through beauty—and I wanted to offer that same experience to others. My goal has always been to normalize using beauty as a tool for self-care, healing, and mental wellness."

Finally, says McDonald, "T McDonald Cosmetics supports mental health not only through affirming product names and intentional packaging, but also through community initiatives like school workshops, beauty mentorships. Every product tells a story and is designed to make the customer feel confident, connected, and seen."

T McDonald Cosmetics participated in NYSCC's Suppliers' Day 2025 Indie Pavilion, "dedicated to highlighting new to market indie beauty brands that have novel ingredients, formulations and unique concepts," according to the organization. 

Here, McDonald tells us more about the brand, the challenges of indie beauty and much more.

Clean Beauty Products: Vegan, High-Performance, and Skin-Nourishing

"Not everyone will understand your journey, but staying committed to your purpose will open doors that chasing validation never could," says McDonald.T McDonald CosmeticsMcDonald: We offer a carefully curated range of clean beauty products that are high-performance and skin-nourishing:

• Level-Up Eyeshadow Palette: A versatile 9-shade palette perfect for everyday glam to editorial looks.
• Classic Matte Lip Kushions: 18-hour wear semi - matte lipsticks with empowering shade names.
• Liquid Matte Lip Kushions: Long- lasting liquid lipstick infused with vitamin E and coconut oil for comfortable  21hr wear.
• High-Gloss Lip Kushions: Moisturizing, lightweight,  glosses infused with coconut oil and vitamin E to repair as you wear.
• 5D Vegan Lashes: Natural, light weight, luxurious lashes named after women who’ve inspired my journey.

Each product is vegan, gluten-free, infused with vitamin E, coconut oil  and created with passion, purpose, intention and care.

Scaling Globally and Building a Purpose-Driven Beauty Legacy

T McDonald Beauty's 5D Vegan Lashes.T McDonald BeautyMcDonald: Over the next 18 months, I’m focused on scaling globally and deepening our impact. I plan to expand into international markets, especially in the Caribbean, U.K. and Canada, and secure retail partnerships with wellness-forward stores. I’m also expanding our team and internship program to offer more mentorship opportunities for young creatives. My goal is to continue building a beauty legacy that blends purpose, education, and empowerment—while remaining rooted in clean, sustainable and high-quality formulations.

Alignment Over Approval: Lessons in Purpose and Growth

McDonald: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that alignment matters more than approval. Not everyone will understand your journey, but staying committed to your purpose will open doors that chasing validation never could. 

I’ve also learned that rest, prayer, and resilience are just as essential to business as strategy. When you're building something meaningful, challenges are guaranteed—but so is growth if you stay the course.

Building an Indie Beauty Brand: Challenges, Freedom and Fulfillment

McDonald: Running an indie beauty brand in 2025 is both exciting and demanding. It means being agile, intentional, and deeply connected to your community. Consumers are smarter, more values-driven, and care about what’s behind the brand—not just what’s in the bottle. 

As an indie founder, I wear many hats—but that also gives me the freedom to shape the brand culture, lead with authenticity, and create real impact. It’s a journey filled with learning curves, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling to know that I’m building something that represents healing, identity, and transformation.