Vending
Hair product access issue leads to beauty supply vending machine
November 19, 2025
A hair product conundrum that proved to be an exasperating experience for a college grad led to the creation of a beauty supply vending machine.
Seven years ago Tanaja Hill couldn't get hair products she needed for her graduation ceremony and there was no place open to get what she needed. So the Rutgers University-Newark grad has made sure that won't happen to future grads at her alma mater, according to a TAPinto Newark report.
She founded Black Girl Beauty Supply and developed a pink beauty supply vending machine for women of color
"I wanted the feeling of like, you're in your own room getting yourself together, or you're really at the beauty supply store, and you're really shopping," Hill told the news outlet. "I wanted to gather those feelings."
The vending machine, launched in early 2024, is located at machine placed at 91 Bleeker St., known as Stonsby Commons. The machine offers hair products, do-rags, edge brushes and even press-on nails and deodorant.
Hill hopes to expand her vending business to 20 sites worldwide.
