Beauty Diary: Sex worker’s video earns Aussie start up $100,000
A popular Gold Coast adult content creator caused a frenzy for a start-up brand after its product featured in her video about a female client.
Face & Body
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A beauty brand owner who earned $100,000 after a popular sex worker used its skincare product has opened up about copping backlash for collaborating with someone in the porn industry.
Davey Rooney, the founder of Boring Without You Beauty, sent Gold Coast woman Kayla Jade – who has a following of 1.6 million on TikTok – a mailer containing the brand’s newest products.
But after Kayla, a self-described “full-service” sex worker, shared a video of herself using the new “Make Me Wet Serum”, Mr Rooney found himself at the centre of a social media storm – with some claiming it was a “bad move” for the beauty company.
The cosmetic science graduate however has now clapped back, telling news.com.au’s The Beauty Diary, everyone has the right to access skincare.
“We make skincare, and Kayla Jade has skin, so it seems bizarre that people think we shouldn’t send our products to her,” he said.
“Sex work is fundamentally an issue of bodily autonomy, and every individual has the right to choose how they use their body and labour without being subjected to stigma or judgment. “Comments like this devalue someone based on their profession and perpetuate an inequality that denies them this autonomy.
“We’re an inclusive brand that supports mental health, and prioritises evidence over misinformation, plus we love Kayla Jade and her content.”
Despite the influx of “angry” remarks, Mr Rooney said working with Kayla had proved highly beneficial for the start-up, which launched in 2023 with a dual face mask created specifically for combination skin.
“I woke up to the video of Kayla Jade talking about our products, and I almost peed my pants with excitement,” he said.
“She has an incredible connection with her audience, so to have her speak about Boring Without You to millions of people is a massive win for our small business.
“Within minutes, sales started rolling in, and after a couple of days, we did over $100,000 in revenue, thanks to Kayla Jade. We even had our biggest day on record.”
In the clip, Kayla – who is beloved by fans for her juicy “confessionals” about her secret liaisons with paying customers – can be seen applying the serum while discussing a female client.
“Our Make Me Wet Aquaporin Hydrating Milk Serum is one of two new products recently launched, and is designed to instantly make your skin wet and provide long-lasting hydration,” Mr Rooney explained.
“Unlike other serums that feel like they sit on your face, this serum uses aquaporin technology that actually trains your skin to better hydrate itself overtime. It’s like a cheat code to brighter, smoother, and plumper skin and it comes in a cute little milk carton.”
The other was its “Face Flood Aquaporin Soothing Hydrating Moisturiser”, a lightweight gel moisturiser that Mr Rooney said causes “no shine, congestion or breakouts”.
“It really is the perfect moisturiser for those who get oily patches on their nose and forehead but still want soothing hydration for their cheeks,” he said.
“It has a fluffy pink texture that breaks into a watery essence on the skin and leaves your face feeling smooth and velvety.”
Outside of sex worker controversy, the world’s first skincare brand for combination skin is currently growing at a “rapid pace”, and recently launched into 470 Priceline stores nationally.
“As someone who studied cosmetic science, I knew the misinformation, fearmongering, and shady marketing some beauty brands employed just to get sales, not to mention the brands that added ingredients at such a low percentage just so they could put it on the label, even though there was no evidence to say it worked,” he told The Beauty Diary.
“I wanted to do things differently and prove that fear doesn’t sell better than facts. I wanted to prioritise evidence-based beauty over scare tactics and openly and actively fight against the misinformation.
“We refuse to demonise proven, safe ingredients, and we educate consumers about the science behind our products. We also ensure that the formulas do what they say they will with clinically proven, concentrated ingredients and independent clinical testing.”
Judging from the response from fans, who include TikTok sensation Anna Paul, the brand is doing something right.
“Love, love, love it, my skin is drinking it and looking good,” one wrote on Instagram.
“I wish I took before and afters, my skin is the best it has ever been at 35,” another shared.
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Originally published as Beauty Diary: Sex worker’s video earns Aussie start up $100,000