38 Black-Owned Beauty Brands You Should Know About

Black History Month might be over but reorganizing your beauty bag and supporting black-owned brands is something that can be done year-round. Whether it’s innovative makeup lines catering to darker skin tones or hair-care products made for black hair textures, there’s just something about knowing a beauty product was made with you in mind — and these owners do just that.

A 2018 report found that 85% of spending on ethnic hair and beauty products is attributed to black consumers. It’s no big secret that there’s power in the black dollar, a concept that the beauty industry has been slow to grasp. But we aren’t interested in tokenism; we are interested in black-owned brands that create products based on their relatable black experience — that’s why black-owned brands, especially created by women, matter so much.

When products are made for us and by us, it makes a huge difference — especially now. Don't worry if you can't open your bag now, though. You can celebrate the culture and support these women and their brands, by following, sharing, and amplifying their businesses via social media until you've saved enough to drop your coins.

What makes black-owned beauty brands so relatable is experience.

The Lip Bar

Best known for its vibrant lippies, like Hot Mama red and Prom Queen pinks, this eight-year-old beauty brand has been creating makeup made especially for black women, and it's all thanks to its founder, Melissa Butler. This year, Target curated a special Black History Month Lip Box featuring a deep purple matte liquid lipstick along with a purple lip liner. “I am my ancestors' wildest dreams,” states Melissa on the packaging of the box, and this lip combo screams that.

Black Girl Sunscreen

Believe it or not, the sun does not discriminate. Often, black people feel like they don’t have to wear sunscreen or it’s OK to not apply as much because of how melanin protects the skin, but the truth is sunscreen should be worn every day by everyone, including black people. Shontay Lundy created a sunscreen made just for black skin, and it doesn’t have a horrible white cast like a lot of other sunscreens leave. Black Girl Sunscreen is infused with ingredients like jojoba oil and avocado, so it’s an ideal addition to your skin-care routine and not just for when you’re on vacation.

Fenty Beauty

We can’t mention black beauty without championing Rihanna, who created Fenty Beauty and shook the industry up with 40 shades of foundation that launched the “Fenty Effect.” The industry hasn’t been the same since. Now brands launch multiple shades and deeper bronzers, but we will never forget who started it all: a black woman. Or, well, Rihanna, to be exact.

E Honey Skincare

After a rough senior year in college and suffering severe breakouts, Erika Clark turned to home remedies and dieting to treat her skin. In her premed studies, she had the opportunity to learn more about the structure and functions of people of color’s skin.

From her vitamin E–packed Glow Oil to her gently exfoliating Goddess Glow cleansing scrub, Erika turned her experience into a passion and is now helping other black women take care of their skin with her E Honey Skincare line.

Cee Cee's Closet

We can’t talk about beauty without mentioning hair and the accessories that go along with it. For black women with natural hair, wearing silk wraps becomes a part of our beauty and an extension of daily hairstyles. Cee Cee’s Closet NYC offers silk-lined headwraps to benefit hair.

Founders and sisters Chioma and Uchenna Ngwudo combined their experiences of working in health care and working with women of color with textured hair to create a product that keeps hair soft, moisturized, and tangle-free. The wraps vary from bold colors to African prints, and they are the crowns you never knew you needed.

Hyper Skin

While everyone’s skin is different, there’s one thing that is common and more likely to occur among dark skin, and that is hyperpigmentation. Treating hyperpigmentation can be a tedious process. Dark spots can take a while to fade, and some products can be extra harsh on the skin. That's why Desiree Verdejo created Hyper Skin to help combat this issue for women of color. The brand’s Hyper Clear Brightening Clearing Vitamin C Serum is formulated to drastically treat hyperpigmentation and minimize breakouts.

Pat McGrath

Known for her iconic and eye-catching makeup looks, Pat McGrath is a legend in the beauty world. In fact, the crystal-emblazoned eye makeup dubbed “Euphoria makeup” sported on HBO's popular show are looks that Pat has been doing for years.

In 2015, when she launched her self-titled cosmetics line, fans were eager to try her products. It all started with the debut of Gold 001, a shimmery product that could be used as an eye shadow, eyeliner, body highlighter, and more. Now the brand has everything from foundation and lifting mascara to smooth and shimmery lipsticks.

Mielle Organics

Hair care is big in the black community, and when a hair collection is made with you in mind (and with health being a priority), you use it. That’s the case for Monique Rodriguez’s Mielle Organics.

Whether it’s hair oils that promote healthier hair or conditioners that replenish, Mielle prioritizes healthy ingredients that are formulated to treat hair. A personal favorite of mine is the brand’s Honey & Ginger edge control. It doesn’t matter if I have a weave, a sleek bun, or braids — Mielle’s edge control does the job and does it well.

UOMA Beauty

Aa former LVMH executive, Nigerian-born Sharon Chuter was no stranger to the beauty industry when she launched UOMA Beauty last year. After being frustrated with the lack of diversity in the industry and fed up with tokenism, Sharon set out to create her own line of products.

From UOMA’s creamy and brightening Stay Woke concealer to its silky Badass Icon lipsticks, the greatness of the products can’t be denied. Not only did UOMA come out of the gate with amazing products, but everything the company does is for the culture, down to the innovative names of its cosmetics (e.g., the Badass Icon lipsticks, named after 16 inspiring black women.

Juvia’s Place

Home of the bold and brightly pigmented eye shadow palettes, Juvia’s Place is a black girl’s best friend when it comes to dramatic eye looks. The owner, Chichi Eburu, is of African descent and creates palettes that represent the African culture, especially dark-skinned women. Eburu recently introduced the I Am Magic foundation that is one of the most flawless foundations on the market for darker women.

Brooklyn Body Butter

Detroit-based Brooklyn Body Butter, founded by Jasmine Matheney, specializes in body butters with sweet scents, like Strawberry Shake Butter, and romantic, velvety blends, like Rose Butter. The products are made from natural shea butter and oils and combine alluring scents with a thick yet soothing texture that leaves the skin looking luminous and smelling good all day long.

Golde

Brooklyn-based Trinity Mouzon Wofford is the young genius behind wellness brand Golde. Golde's superfood powder-to-gel masks work to exfoliate and renew skin. But these powders have a dual purpose: They can also be added to smoothies and oatmeal.

Additionally, Trinity is the youngest woman of color to have ever launched a brand at Sephora, and we can’t wait to see how she continues to elevate the wellness industry.

Mented Cosmetics

After feeling like an “afterthought” in the beauty industry, KJ Miller and Amanda Johnson set out to solve the diversity problem in the field.

The pair started by learning how to make lipsticks on YouTube and haven’t looked back since. Their initial focus was on nude lipsticks — one of the hardest products for black women to find. As a result, Mented Cosmetics was born.

Mented Cosmetics is a brand that allows minority women can find their shade of nude lipstick. Since the company’s 2017 launch, it has expanded into other face and nail products and, according to Forbes, KJ and Amanda are the 15th and 16th African American women ever to raise $1 million capital.

Mischo Beauty

Have you ever considered the toxins in your nail polish? Well, Kitiya Mischo King has. When she realized the lack of nontoxic nail polish on the market that was both chic and long-lasting, she created her own.

Mischo Beauty is an eco-conscious nail polish brand specializing in chip-resistant and durable polish. Packaged in a stylish bottle that would complement any vanity, Mischo polish is made for the woman who loves richly hued colors for her nails and is conscious about keeping toxins out of her beauty routine.

Oui the People

Oui the People is all about reimagining, redefining, and reconstruction what beauty brands should look like in modern days. Their mission? The reConstitution: to build products that help will help you feel great and isn't of making you feel like you have to change. Their star product? Their single blade, sensitive skin razors that will help you avoid razor burn and ingrown hairs.

Pear Nova

You won't find any formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, toluene, and dibutyl Phthalate DBP, or any ingredients you can't pronounce in Pear Nova's nail polishes. Instead, this Chicago-based nail polish brand, founded by Rachel James, is all about silky, vegan, and cruelty-free polishes which formulas are not only long-lasting but all of their shade range is a perfect mix of classics and statement colors.

Beauty Bakerie

Cashmere Nicole knew she was an entrepreneur since she was 9 years old, but it wasn't until her early twenties that she decided to let go of the typical 9 to 5 and pursue her begin her brand, Beauty Bakerie. Complete with all the makeup essentials for your face, lips, and eyes, Beauty Bakerie is your next one-stop destination for all things beauty that prove you can have your cake and eat it too.

Gold Label

Gold Label knows that lipsticks are small luxuries. A good lipstick can make or break a mood or even a whole look. That's why since 2012, the brand has been blessing the beauty market with their cruelty-free, paraben-free color lipsticks and matte lip pens.

Glow Up Academy

Everything that glitters might not be gold, but the glitter from Glow Up Academy is the next best thing. According to reviewers, these glitters are bomb since they're the perfect mix of chunky and fine glitters which makes for the perfect statement look. But don't let your glow up end there, Glow Up Academy also offers lashes, lipsticks, lipglosses, and highlighters.

The Uptown Body

Since nail salons are still closed due to Covid-19, now's the time to get to press-on nails. Luckily, The Uptown Body has you covered. Designed with salon-grade gels and materials, your next set of gel, short, coffin-shaped, or custom set of nails is just a click away.

Camille Rose

From skin care products that range from diaper rash cream to nursing mom cream to high-quality and clean hair and body products, Camille Rose now boasts over 30 hand-crafted products and is deemed a total lifestyle brand available not only on their personal site but Target, Walmart, Bed, Bath & Beyond and more.

Mysteek Naturals

Thanks to Mysteek Naturals it is possible to get a vibrant popping hair color without all those harmful chemicals. Founded by Electra S. Davis, this chemical-free hair color product is believed to be the first of its kind, according to Misteek Naturals About page. With their p[products, there is no need for the damaging steps to obtain a poppin' hair color. So, say goodbye to developers, bleach, pre-lightening, or chemical dyes and hello to Mysteek Naturals.

Black Opal

Since 1994 Black Opal has been setting the bar when it comes to technologically advanced skincare and color cosmetics line for women of color. From state-of-the-art solutions for hyperpigmentation to oil control, and shade matching, Black Opal is all about embracing all the shades of beauty with their skincare and makeup products.

Honey Pot

The Honey Pot is all about female hygiene products that are 100% natural and are clinically-tested and gynecologist-approved. Everything you need to refresh and cleanse your vagina, you'll find it there. Plus, every time you purchase from Honey Pot, you’re helping to provide menstrual care for humans with vaginas who are homeless, low income, or living in poverty.

Curlbox

Curkbox offers both monthly subscription boxes and non-subscription boxes brands that are filled with products your natural and curly hair are dying to discover in a timely and affordable manner.

Baby Tress

Styling your baby hairs and laying your edges just got away easier thanks to Baby Tress's Edge Styler. We aren't exaggerating when we say it's a game-changer and that everybody should have one in their vanities.

Iwi Fresh

Think of Iwi Fresh products as juices for your skin. No, you can't actually drink them but they're made with raw powder and fresh juice-based vegetables, fruits, and herbs that will freshen up your skin as a good juice would.

Ilera Apothecary

Launched in 2015, Ilera Apothecary has been delivering ethically sourced, plant-based skincare products for five years straight from Detroit, Michigan. So, if you're a fan of shea butter products, we highly suggest you try their stuff out.

Naturalicious

Naturalicious easy-to-use products are a reminder that curly, kinky, and coily hair is the standard of beauty. Plus, they are partnered with T Detroit-based nonprofit, Services to Enhance Potential (STEP), which offers employment opportunities for men and women with special needs. So, not only Naturalicius cares for your hair but for your community as well.

Vie Beauty

If you're in the market for good rose oil, then look no further. Vie Beauty's hydrating rose water will transform your everyday routine in and give you an enviable glow. Plus, its crystal packaging will be great for photo opps.

Klur

The L.A. based brand Klur is tiny but mighty and not to mention a green beauty brand that should be on your radar, ASAP. Consisting of seven products that are free of parabens, sulfates, fillers, fragrance, and dyes, your daily skin concerns have met their match.

Liha

Rooted in the African diaspora based in England, Liha blends the rich botanical life of West Africa with traditional English aromatherapy and folk remedies. The result? An organic and vegan skincare brand that's reshaping the natural beauty community and delivering top tier products.

Epi.Logic

Dr. Chaneve Jeanniton's approach to beauty is one backup with her countless degrees in the medical field. For her, and her products, beauty is more than aesthetics and whether it's her brightening glycolic gel, the collagen renew serum, or a night repair cream you will not only look but will also feel your best.

Botanika Beauty

More than just a haircare line, Botanika Beauty's products are inspired by the botánica stores found across Latinx communities. Made from natural ingredients like sage and bay leaf, you can expect your hair to be stimulated and transformed, and be completely revitalized.

Bomba Curls

Formulated based on hair care recipes used in Lulu Cordero's native Dominican Republic, Bomba Curls' products promote hair growth and health and celebrate all different types of curls and textures.

Menos.Mas

Founded by Annya Santana, Menos Mas is inspired by the philosophy, “less is more”. The clean, gender-fluid beauty brand that's ethos is to feed your skin from the inside out. They produce small-batch products that are made from the finest ingredients and sold in eco-friendly and sustainable packaging. Currently, they've taken a hiatus and paused their production, but be sure to hit that follow button and subscribe to their newsletter because you'll definitely want to add to your beauty routine their next batch of skincare goodies.

Yubi Beauty

Born out of necessity, Yubi Beauty is the makeup applicator you need to cut your makeup application routine in half. Thanks to its innovative design, you can apply your foundation without worrying about your skin looking patchy, suffering from breakouts, or tip-toeing around your vanity mirror because the handle of your brush is too long. That's why, Adiya Dixon Wiggins aptly named it Yubi, which means finger in Japanese, so it feels like an extension of your hand.

Rosen Skincare

Rosen Skincare is all about remaining how we approach acne and breakouts. Instead of having their clients fall into the repetitive formulas and questionable ingredients that many acne solving products have Jamika Martin decided to create a brand that are clean and innovative and is proven to help the toughest problems like redness, scarring, uneven texture, and of course, breakouts. Not to mention, that all of its 14 products are under $20.