AAPI-Founded Never Have I Ever Disrupts $120 Billion US Beauty Market

United States, 18th Mar 2026, – As the U.S. beauty industry approaches a $120 billion valuation, one New York-based startup is proving that the future of the category isn’t just about what you put on your face-it’s about the art you wear on wearable art in general. Tonight, Never Have I Ever Shop, the first art-licensed beauty accessory brand, will make its primetime debut on ABC’s Shark Tank Season 17 at 10:00 p.m. ET.
 

Founded by Jess Wu and Susana Chen, Never Have I Ever is transforming the beauty aisle from a place of “sameness” into a cultural platform. By redefining beauty accessories-ranging from premium, reusable press-on nails to premium-crafted tooth gems-as wearable art, the brand is capturing a new wave of discovery-driven shopping driven by social commerce and a desire for culture-led identity.

The New Beauty Pillar: Wearable Art for Everyday Expression

Never Have I Ever’s mission is built on three core pillars that have turned the brand into one of the fastest-scaling disruptors in the space:

• Self-Expression as Wearable Art: Every product is a canvas. Never Have I Ever is the first brand to pioneer an art-licensing model for beauty accessories, ensuring that creators are paid royalties for their work.
• Culture-Driven Discovery: The brand bridges the gap between the art gallery and the vanity, featuring collections currently carried at world-renowned institutions like The MET and MoMA gift stores.
• Affordable Experimentation: NHIE offers “last-mile glam”-professional, salon-quality results that allow for bold experimentation without the high price tag or the commitment of a salon visit.

An Artist-First Community

Central to Never Have I Ever’s success is its deep tie to the global artist community. The brand’s roster includes independent illustrators and viral creators who bring diverse narratives to the mass market. Key collaborations include:

• Lorien Stern: Known for her bold, playful ceramic-inspired visuals.
• TayBeepBoop: Bringing DIY maximalist energy to the accessory space.
• Jade Roland: Merging fine art aesthetics with modern wearable trends.

“Our accessories are invitations to step out of your comfort zone,” says co-founder Susana Chen. “By partnering with cultural icons like The Met, Miffy, and Peanuts, we’re proving that beauty can be both a personal ritual and a pop-culture statement.”

Scalable Success & Explosive Retail Growth

The market has responded with overwhelming demand. Ahead of their Shark Tank appearance, Never Have I Ever has achieved:

• Proven Demand: Over 120,000 units sold in 2025 alone.
• Hyper-Growth: A staggering 4.7x year-over-year sales increase.
• Massive Retail Footprint: Never Have I Ever is currently available in over 2,000 retail stores nationwide, including Urban Outfitters, Revolve, Anthropologie, PacSun, Zumiez, and Spencer’s.

As the founders enter the Tank tonight, they are not just looking for an investment; they are looking to scale a movement where beauty accessories serve as the ultimate vehicle for self-expression.

About Never Have I Ever: Never Have I Ever is an AAPI women-founded beauty brand based in New York City. By merging beauty with art and licensing, Never Have I Ever provides a platform for independent artists and global IPs to reach consumers through salon-quality, reusable beauty accessories.

Explore the collection at neverhaveiever.shop and follow the journey on Instagram at @neverhaveiever.shop.

Media Contact

Organization: Never Have I Ever Shop

Contact
Person: Jess Wu

Website:

https://neverhaveiever.shop/

Email:

jess@neverhaveiever.shop

Country:United States

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AAPI-Founded Never Have I Ever Disrupts $120 Billion US Beauty Market appeared first on
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