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Karrueche Tran Builds Beauty Empire, Launches Wellness RetreatCelebrity

Karrueche Tran Builds Beauty Empire, Launches Wellness Retreat

2w ago

Karrueche Tran has steadily carved out a significant lane for herself in the beauty and wellness world, moving beyond her successful acting and modeling career to become a full-fledged entrepreneur. After years of influencing trends and collaborating with major brands, Tran launched her own beauty line, Ruechi Beauty, in 2024, quickly following up with an exclusive wellness retreat in Mexico in 2025.

The venture into entrepreneurship marks a pivotal moment for Tran, who was born Karrueche Minters in Los Angeles, California, on May 17, 1988. Her brand, Ruechi Beauty, draws its name from a blend of her nickname “Rue” and her Vietnamese name “Chi,” signifying “energy.” The brand’s mission centers on self-care, individuality, and inclusivity, distinguishing itself with innovative, high-quality skincare tools. Its initial offering, the Ruechi Refresh Kit, includes a Nano Mister, a Kryo sculpting tool, a plush headband, and a vanity bag, items Tran stated she genuinely uses herself.

Tran shared that Ruechi Beauty was “three years in the making,” emphasizing her desire to create a brand that stood apart from typical celebrity lines. Her inspiration for the products came from personal needs and practices; the Kryo sculpting tool, for instance, was born from her habit of using frozen spoons or ice to reduce puffiness. Similarly, the Nano Mister became a necessity during her time filming the TNT series *Claws* in humid New Orleans, where makeup often struggled to last. For Tran, skincare is deeply intertwined with overall wellness, a philosophy she articulated by saying, “I’ve been on this wellness journey of spiritually, physically, and mentally discovering myself, and stepping into my power and figuring out what works best for me in my life.”

Just a year after the brand’s debut, in 2025, Tran announced the Ruechi Beauty Retreat. This intimate 5-day wellness experience, hosted in partnership with LAM Lifestyle Travel, took place from August 14-18, 2025, at the luxurious Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets, an all-inclusive sanctuary off the coast of Cancun. The retreat offered attendees a transformative journey, blending spiritual reconnection with oceanfront wellness, curated rituals, and moments for joy and reflection. Activities ranged from daily meditation, yoga, and sound healing to breathwork led by Dhyani Bella, cacao ceremonies, reiki, tarot readings, and sacred smoke rituals, alongside beauty and skincare sessions featuring Ruechi Beauty products. Speaking about the retreat in September 2025, Tran reiterated, “This isn’t just skincare tools, it’s a wellness brand because skincare is wellness, it’s taking care of yourself. Stepping into the wellness space, I’m just getting my feet wet, and it’s been amazing so far.”

Tran's journey to beauty entrepreneurship follows a diverse career path. Identifying as biracial with Vietnamese and African American heritage, she initially worked as a personal shopper for Nordstrom from 2009 to 2012 before becoming a freelance stylist for celebrities. Her public profile significantly rose with her relationship with R&B singer Chris Brown, which began in 2010. She transitioned into modeling, gracing lookbooks for brands like Lady Crooks and Le Coq Sportif, and appearing on the covers of *Rolling Out* and *Flaunt Magazine*. In 2015, she signed with Wilhelmina Models LA, further solidifying her presence in fashion. Beyond the runway, Tran is an Emmy Award-winning actress, recognized for her roles as Vivian Johnson in the web series *The Bay* (2013–2016) and Virginia Loc on *Claws*. In 2021, she made history as the first person of Asian Pacific American descent to win an Emmy for Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Daytime Fiction Program for her work on *The Bay*.

Her long-standing engagement with beauty is also evident through her collaborations that predate Ruechi Beauty. In 2016, she partnered with ColourPop Cosmetics for her first makeup collection, “KaePop,” featuring matte eyeshadows, lipsticks, lip pencils, blush, highlighter, and contour bronzer, all priced under $8. She explained that the shades were intentionally chosen to “appeal to more than just a certain group of women” and offered “everyday, natural tones.” A second collaboration with ColourPop, the “Brown Sugar” collection, followed in 2018, focusing on neutral-hued products for eyes and lips. Tran has consistently shared her personal beauty philosophy, emphasizing hydration and consistent skincare. In a 2017 interview, she stated, “Water is my best friend,” detailing a routine that included a facial steamer, masks, and using an ice cube to tighten pores. She also candidly admitted to popping pimples as her “worst beauty habit,” a relatable confession many share. She reiterated her ice cube trick in 2022, a tip that gained significant traction online for its simplicity and effectiveness in reducing puffiness.

Tran's influence in the beauty sphere has not gone unnoticed, earning her a spot in the Black Beauty Roster 100 in the esteemed “Muse” category. Her public appearances consistently showcase a dynamic range of beauty looks, further cementing her status as a style icon. On March 9, 2023, at ESSENCE’s 16th Annual Black Women In Hollywood Awards in Los Angeles, she sported a jet black pixie cut, complementing her matte, plump skin and a faint bikini tan line. Later that year, at LaQuan Smith’s New York show, she dramatically bleached her pixie blonde and styled it with an Old Hollywood curl, her long blue jeweled nails contrasting with white toes. By the 2024 Fashion Trust Awards on April 9, 2024, in Beverly Hills, Tran opted for a slicked-back crop cut with a raw-edged bang and a subtly smokey outer eye corner. The following year, at the 2025 Fashion Trust Awards on April 8, 2025, in West Hollywood, she embraced a longer, dark hairstyle, reaching mid-back with a middle part, soft waves, and a silky finish, a look she mirrored at the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards on February 27, 2025. This year, 2026, she returned to shorter styles, notably a sweet and sexy bob with a flirtatious flip, seen on January 29, 2026, during a Galentine’s Day event with Clarins.

Karrueche Tran’s evolution from a celebrated model and actress to a beauty and wellness mogul highlights a growing trend of celebrities leveraging their platforms for authentic brand building. Her commitment to products she genuinely uses and a wellness philosophy she embodies positions Ruechi Beauty as more than just another celebrity venture. It's a testament to her dedication to self-care and an inclusive approach to beauty. As Tran continues to expand her brand and influence, her journey serves as a blueprint for blending personal passion with entrepreneurial vision, promising more innovative offerings in the self-care space.

Karrueche Tran Builds Beauty Empire, Launches Wellness Retreat — Melanin News | Melanin