In an industry that has long overlooked the specific needs of Black women, Candace Mitchell Harris is rewriting the rules—using artificial intelligence, molecular science, and cultural awareness. As the founder and CEO of Myavana, a beauty tech company based in Atlanta, she has built a powerful platform that provides AI hair care for Black women, tailored to each user’s unique texture, health, and lifestyle.

And now, with national media coverage like MSN's “Myavana’s Mission to Map the DNA of Beauty and Identity”, the world is beginning to understand just how big her vision truly is.

From Coding to Curls: The Birth of Myavana

A computer science graduate from Georgia Tech, Candace Mitchell Harris was already a rising star in tech when she realized the beauty industry wasn’t designed for her hair—or for the millions of women who shared her experience. Frustrated by the endless trial-and-error of buying hair products, she decided to take a scientific approach.

“I examined my hair under a microscope,” she recalled in interviews. “I realized no one was applying science to our hair, and that’s when the idea for Myavana was born.”

Founded in 2012, Myavana—a blend of “my hair” and “nirvana”—uses AI and hair strand analysis to provide custom hair care recommendations. With over a decade of R&D and customer feedback, it’s become a trusted platform for textured hair solutions that are accurate, culturally aware, and grounded in data.

HairAI™: Personalized Beauty Powered by Science

At the heart of Myavana is its proprietary technology, HairAI™, which uses machine learning to assess hair texture, type, density, and health from a single photo or strand. Users either upload images of their hair or send in samples using a Hair Analysis Kit. The result? A scientifically backed, fully customized regimen for hair care—including product recommendations and style suggestions.

This AI-driven model doesn’t just serve individuals. Myavana also supports salons and stylists, helping professionals better understand the science of hair and provide elevated services to their clients.

Mapping the DNA of Identity

In a recent feature by MSN, Mitchell Harris shared her deeper mission: to map the DNA of beauty and identity. Her work is more than just innovation—it’s cultural restoration.

“For far too long, textured hair was misunderstood, misrepresented, or simply ignored in science and commerce,” she said. “We’re not just recommending products—we’re validating beauty, celebrating identity, and giving women the power to understand themselves through the lens of science.”

The article highlights how Myavana is not just revolutionizing beauty but empowering women through technology that affirms their individuality and cultural legacy. In doing so, Harris is redefining what beauty tech can—and should—look like.

Filling a Market Gap with AI Hair Care for Black Women

Although Black women spend nine times more on hair products than other demographics, the market has historically failed to meet their needs with science-based solutions. That’s why AI hair care for Black women stands out as such a vital innovation.

Myavana fills this gap by using culturally competent, data-driven analysis. From hair density and porosity to strand strength and environmental damage, Myavana’s system considers over 20 variables. Users no longer need to guess which products might work—they now have access to personalized insights backed by real science.

From Startup to $50 Million Valuation

Myavana has attracted major investments from Amazon, Ulta Beauty’s Prisma Ventures, and H/L Ventures, raising nearly $6 million in funding. Today, the company is valued at over $50 million and continues to grow through its app, Pro Hair Labs for stylists, and enterprise solutions.

Candace Mitchell Harris has also received national honors, including Forbes 30 Under 30, the BET Honors STEM Award, and recognition by WWD as one of the Top 50 Beauty Innovators.

Bridging Technology and Culture

Located in Atlanta—a historic hub for Black entrepreneurship—Myavana is continuing the legacy of icons like Madam C.J. Walker. But as the MSN article noted, Candace is blending heritage with hardware, creating a beauty brand that is just as scientific as it is soulful.

The company’s headquarters even sit just blocks from where Walker herself once ran her hair empire.

Looking Ahead: The Future of AI Hair Care for Black Women

Looking ahead, Mitchell Harris envisions a future where Myavana becomes a global standard. Plans are in motion to install hair analysis kiosks in salons and beauty retailers across the U.S. and abroad, including Africa and the Caribbean.

She also hopes to partner with hair care brands to design new products based on real consumer hair data, leading to formulations tailored not just by type but by individual hair profiles.

By using artificial intelligence to elevate beauty routines and build deeper cultural confidence, AI hair care for Black women is set to become more than just a trend—it’s poised to become the new industry norm.

Final Thoughts

Candace Mitchell Harris isn’t just the Founder of a fast-growing beauty tech company. She’s a visionary shaping the future of inclusive innovation. With Myavana, she’s giving Black women access to science, self-discovery, and smart, confident hair care—on their terms.

And for millions of women who’ve long felt left out of the beauty conversation, that’s more than innovation—it’s empowerment.