Online business Marlayna Cosmetics moves to Broadway

Marlayna Cosmetics has gained traction on social media and now is moving to brick and mortar.

Marlayna Cosmetics is an all-natural beauty brand and wholesaler that has over 15,000 followers on the social media platform, Instagram.

The cruelty free cosmetic line includes whipped body butters and oils, scrubs and glosses.

The storefront building will have its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 14.

Customers are invited to shop and visit the store, said creator and CEO Marlayna Colon.

The building will serve as a store as well as a lab for Colon to prepare products.

“I make all my products by myself,” she said.

Colon, 22, is a Lorain native.

She graduated from Lorain High Early College in 2017 and from the Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work in 2020.

Colon worked for MAC Cosmetics for three years before taking the plunge to build her own business.

“I’ve always been interested in beauty and making women feel beautiful,” she said.

Colon said the novel coronavirus pandemic gave her time and opportunity to build a brand.

“I realized due to layoffs, that my time there was coming to an end,” she said. “I became really interested in body care and began to look into formulating and making my own products.”

Colon began by selling handmade lip glosses and scrubs before connecting with vendors to expand her collection.

Store hours will be limited throughout the week as the majority of sales stem from online shoppers, she said.

“We won’t be open everyday, because I’m very busy fulfilling orders,” Colon said. “We’ll be open limitedly during the week, but customers will be able to order online and pick up here.”

Although her business primarily has found success online, she said she is looking forward to this expansion.

“I’m so excited to open the store,” Colon said. “I’ve worked really hard to get to this point.”

Colon encourages other local entrepreneurs to invest in their dreams.

“I come from Lorain,” she said. “I want the younger generation around me to know that it is possible to live out your daydream, even if it sounds crazy to other people.

“We can do it; this is the era of small businesses.”

Interested persons can follow Marlayna Cosmetics on Instagram or visit the store for more information.