Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcinda Hankins.
Hi Marcinda , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Absolutely! My journey started as a single mom struggling to stay afloat as a licensed Esthetician. So I seek a part-time at a cigar lounge, just trying to make ends meet. While working there, I would often hear men talk about their beards—complaints about itchiness, dryness, and not knowing how to properly care for them. As a licensed esthetician, I knew that the real issue wasn’t just the beard—it was the skin underneath being neglected.
That inspired me to create X’clusive Looks, a luxury men’s grooming brand that combines professional skincare with beard care. I developed a full line of all-natural beard products designed to treat the skin beneath the beard, addressing common issues like dryness, itchiness, breakage, split ends, and beard dandruff.
It wasn’t an easy road. I had to educate myself on product formulation, branding, and how to run a new type of business while juggling life. But my passion for helping men feel confident and well-groomed kept me going. Today, I offer not only products but also grooming services and education to help redefine how men care for their beards—and themselves.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not a smooth road, but every bump has been a lesson. In the beginning, one of my biggest struggles was funding. I didn’t have investors or a big savings account, so I had to bootstrap everything—learning how to stretch every dollar while still delivering a high-quality product.
Another challenge was getting people to take my business seriously. As a woman in a male-dominated grooming industry, I had to prove that I wasn’t just selling beard products—I was offering real solutions for skin and beard health. Educating men on why skincare matters under the beard took time and patience.
Balancing business growth with being a mom, handling production, marketing, and everything in between has also been tough. But through each struggle, I’ve learned how to pivot, stay consistent, and keep pushing forward.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
X’clusive Looks is a luxury men’s grooming brand that focuses on treating the skin underneath the beard—something most beard care brands overlook. As a licensed esthetician, I saw firsthand how many men struggled with dryness, itchiness, breakage, and beard dandruff because their skincare needs weren’t being addressed.
We offer a full line of all-natural beard care products, including beard shampoo, our signature beard sauce, beard butter, beard oil, and beard balm, all formulated to nourish both the skin and beard. But we go beyond products—I also offer hands-on grooming services, including our signature Men’s Hybrid Facials, Beard Therapy, and Scalp Microdermabrasion—all designed to educate men on proper beard and skincare.
What sets us apart is our holistic approach. I don’t just sell products; I teach men how to truly care for their beards from the skin up. It’s about education, experience, and long-term results.
One of the things I’m most proud of is building a brand that’s changing the conversation around men’s self-care. Being featured in Black Enterprise and Yahoo Finance has been a huge honor, but what means the most to me is hearing from my clients about how their confidence has grown because of what we do.
I want readers to know that X’clusive Looks isn’t just a product line—it’s a lifestyle. We’re here to help men elevate their grooming routine with products and services designed for real results, while making self-care simple and accessible.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to trust the process and believe in myself, even when things get hard. In business, especially as an entrepreneur, there are going to be setbacks, slow seasons, and moments of doubt. I had to learn that success doesn’t happen overnight, and comparison will kill your confidence.
I’ve also learned the importance of educating my audience and staying true to my purpose. It’s easy to get caught up in trends or quick sales, but my mission has always been to help men truly understand how to care for their beards and skin. That focus has kept me grounded.
Lastly, I’ve learned that consistency and authenticity will always win. People connect with real stories, real solutions, and real passion. Staying consistent with my message and showing up, even when no one’s watching, has been a game changer for my brand.
Pricing:
- Beard Shampoo $15
- Beard Sauce $29.99
- Beard Butter $28.99
- Beard Oil $30
- Beard balm $18.50
Contact Info:
- Website: http://Www.myxclusivelooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/Myxclusivelooks_llc
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/Myxclusivelooks
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/marcindabeardsaucebae
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@myxclusivelooks
Image Credits
Stephanie Strickland
Camille Henderson
