Despite a recent push for diversity in the beauty biz, some customers still don’t know of many great Black-owned brands. These companies have made high-quality goods for various skin tones and hair types. They often worked in the background and were seen as too niche. This narrative is shifting, though, as more people are being inspired to discover and value these firms’ extensive product lines. Everyone should be aware of these ten exceptional Black-owned Beauty brands, each of which offers a unique perspective on empowerment and beauty.
Black Beauty Brands: How are they different?
Numerous Black-owned Beauty Brands businesses operated in the background for years or even decades before this nation’s recent racial reckoning. The widespread belief that their products are only for Black people, however, hasn’t altered yet.
In actuality, these businesses are still frequently “othered”, or disregarded, by people who think they are too specialized or who don’t give them any thought at all. For all of my non-BIPOC friends out there, here is a PSA: An item is also intended for a customer unless it specifically specifies that it is solely for a particular ethnic group, skin tone, or hair type.
Additionally, purchasing from these businesses allows one to spend money much more deliberately. It never gets old to match one’s values with one’s hard-earned money. By grabbing some of the recommendations on this page, anyone can begin to assist Black-owned businesses in not just surviving but flourishing (and recognizing that there are so many more out there to discover and support).
List of top 10 Black Owned Beauty Brands
1. Pat McGrath Labs
Given that Pat McGrath is one of the most renowned makeup artists in the world, it should come as no surprise that her makeup line is as outstanding. The industry knows the company for its gorgeous pigment and coverage in its lipsticks, eye shadow palettes, and concealers. It also has luxurious packaging. Influencers and makeup professionals love Pat McGrath’s Labs. These highly pigmented products are obviously pricey, but they are well worth the investment.
2. Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty, the makeup collection of pop diva Rihanna, is equal parts alluring, rebellious, and inclusive. The innovative brand is known for its many foundation shades. It aims to give women options for smooth, silky coverage, no matter their skin tone. Fenty has a vast range of makeup. It includes eye, lip, and cheek products. It also has 50 foundation shades for all skin tones. So, every makeup lover should have Fenty’s products. The Pro Filt’r foundation is a remarkable product. It has a lightweight, photo-ready look. Both makeup artists and beauty fans love it.
Also read: 20 Black-Owned Businesses in 2024
3. The Lip Bar
The Lip Bar is prepared to alter the way people view beauty. The company has offered cruelty-free and vegan products since 2012. They stress virtual try-ons and instructions for all skin types and tones. They also use fewer toxic ingredients. The cosmetic brand still sells eye, lip, and face products in more than 1,000 outlets nationwide, even after being turned down on the popular TV show Shark Tank.
4. Beauty Bakerie
Cashmere Nicole pledged to create products with premium and healthful ingredients following her battle with breast cancer. Beauty Bakerie is cruelty-free in addition to being inclusive. The colorful names for each product and the packaging will appeal to anyone with a sweet craving. Additionally, it’s one of the few companies that publicly supports causes like the Muslim ban, Black Lives Matter, and others.
5. Danessa Myricks Beauty
Danessa Myricks, a self-taught makeup artist, was never scared to try out new looks and share her methods with others. After years in the beauty industry, she wanted to do more. So, she started a company with inclusive, multipurpose products. “I knew I didn’t want to do what everyone else was doing when I launched my own brand,” she wrote on her website. “I wanted everyone to feel as though they had discovered a brand that empowered them to enjoy makeup and represented who they are.”
6. Black Opal Beauty
Though Black Opal was bought by Black people in 2019, it is known for its effective, low-cost beauty products for people of color. Black Opal is certain to have a product one should add to their collection, ranging from matte lipsticks to setting powders. Black Opal Beauty, one of the original beauty companies on the market, has been producing skincare products and makeup for more than 25 years. To complete one’s look, the cruelty-free brand offers everything. It has brightening concealers with vitamins A, C, and E. It also has foundations with SPF. Moreover, everything costs less than $15.
7. Ami Colě
According to their website, they founded this clean beauty company “for us, by us.” Ami Colě (pronounced ah-me co-lay) was founded by Diarrha Ndiaye with the express purpose of serving melanin-rich skin. The brand offers products for various skin tones, whether one is seeking lip oil, a creamy multi-stick, or a facial tint. Additionally, each product contains natural skin-nourishing components like camellia oil, passionfruit oil, and baobab seed oil.
8. Uoma Beauty
Uoma means “beautiful” in Igbo, a Nigerian language. It’s a perfect name for a company that aims to set new standards for diversity and inclusivity in beauty. Uoma was founded by Sharon Chuter, a veteran of the beauty industry. It is inspired by her African pride, vibrant lifestyle, and self-expression. What Does the Brand Say? Each of its Badass Icon Matte Lipsticks is named after a significant Black woman. We voted it the best moisturizing matte lipstick. The foundation comes in 51 distinct tones.
Also read: Meet the Top 10 Most Successful Entrepreneurs Who Have Shaped the World
9. Bread Beauty Supply
All Bread Beauty Supply wants is to make washing hair day easier, and everyone adores that. One’s hair will look fantastic thanks to the variety of hair care and style products in the collection. Founder Maeva Heim dreamed of a business that cares for all curls. After working in her mom’s braiding salon and as a brand manager for L’Oréal, she wanted to use hair care staples and extra treats to layer the strands with love. Consider it the hair’s bread and butter.
10. Black Girl Sunscreen
Melanin skin type was taken into consideration when creating Black Girl Sunscreen. It is enhanced with avocado and jojoba oil and has no dangerous components. The moisturizing sunscreen lotion, which has 30 SPF and applies fully sheer (no white casing), is the brand’s best-selling item. Additionally, a matte variant and even sun protection items for children are available.
