Checking in with NKVSKIN

August 15, 2022

Nikia K. Vaughan initially launched her natural skincare business — NKVSKIN — from home to support her daughter through a sickle cell disease diagnosis. In 2022, she opened her first brick-and-mortar location in Downtown Baltimore where she offers skincare services and sells her housemade natural skin care products.

About NKVSKIN

Nikia Vaughan leads a toast to celebrate the grand opening of NKVSKIN at 113 N Charles Street.

Nikia has always been passionate about skin. When friends and family would ask how she kept her skin looking so healthy after 40, Nikia would offer to create oils and butters for them to try. One day, after months of giving them away for free, a friend offered to pay her. A lightbulb switched on in her mind, and she realized that crafting natural skincare solutions could be the perfect means to bring home extra income for her family, especially once her daughter was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at only 6 weeks old.

In 2018, NKVSKIN officially launched its first retail product — the Rise & Shine Facial Oil — that sold out in only 2 days. From then on, Nikia made natural skincare her life’s mission. Crafting an entire line of natural solutions for skincare concerns from acne, to rosacea, and everything in between. She even developed a highly-requested men’s line — NKVMEN.

In 2021, Nikia resigned from her job and enrolled in the Aveda Institute of Maryland to obtain her Esthetician License. She now specializes in the progressive treatment of acneic skin, hyperpigmentation, and aging skin. In the same year, she was also selected to participate in the inaugural Downtown BOOST (Black-Owned and Operated Storefront Tenancy) Program, which provided her with grant funding, professional development opportunities, legal support, and marketing support so that she could open her very first brick-and-mortar location in Downtown Baltimore. NKVSKIN opened at 113 N Charles Street in June of this year, and offers housemade skin care products for sale, and provides skincare services like facials, waxing, brow/lash care, and more.

Nikia considers her work purpose-driven and focused on community. As a Baltimore-native, giving back to the city where she has been a lifelong resident is very important to her. A portion of all sales at NKVSKIN benefit local Sickle Cell charities.

How to Support NKVSKIN

Visit NKVSKIN, located Downtown at 113 N Charles Street.

- Shop NKVSKIN Online
- Shop NKVSKIN in person at 113 N Charles Street, Baltimore MD 21201
- Book a skincare service with NKVSKIN (there’s an endless list of offerings).
- Follow and engage with NKVSKIN on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok
- Participate in the upcoming Black Business Quest to support NKVSKIN and other Black-owned area businesses.
- Shop NKVSKIN’s must-have beauty and wellness faves on Amazon.
- Hire/Book NKVSKIN to vend at an upcoming event or Farmer’s Market

Recent Media Coverage

Nikia K. Vaughan gives a tour of one of her service rooms during the grand opening of NKVSKIN.

Nikia K. Vaughan gives a tour to WMAR during the grand opening of NKVSKIN.

“A new program is paving the way for entrepreneurs to attract and uplift Black-owned retail businesses in Downtown Baltimore neighborhoods.”

— Ebony Magazine | Read More

“First participants in Downtown Partnership of Baltimore program see support pay off.”

— Baltimore Magazine | Read More

“Black-owned skin care company NKVSKIN opens with support from program striving to fill downtown Baltimore vacancies”

— Baltimore Fishbowl | Read More

“A Baltimore woman achieved one of her dreams today. Nikia Keevie Vaughan opened up NKVSKIN, a store and spa specializing in skin care products and services”