06.08.2020
17 Beauty Products That You Need Now From Black-Owned Businesses

Black-owned beauty products

Because #BlackLivesMatter and today I want to share 17 Black-owned beauty products I love/want to try…

Black-Owned Beauty Products You Need Now

This past week can’t even be explained in words and, quite honestly, I don’t even feel like I’m in any position to take up space and talk about how I feel and how sad I am, so I’m not going to do that today.  If you follow me on Instagram then you already know I’ve been/have always been very active in politics, and the BLM movement sparked by George Floyd’s death has been no exception.  I’ve been listening, watching and learning, and my biggest takeaway is that I need to continue being anti-racist. In addition to that, I also need to expand my depth and knowledge of Black-owned beauty businesses.

As I dug through hundreds of Black-owned beauty brands over the past week, I found myself feeling VERY embarrassed that I had such little knowledge of most of these brands.  It’s not ok and I will do better.

I started really thinking about the why here; is it because I’m not their target demo? Maybe.  But I actually think it’s likely because most of these brands (with the exception of Fenty, of course, which is founded by Rihanna) simply don’t have the budget for marketing and PR the way that so many white-founded brands do.

Why is that?

Well, it’s because out of $85 billion dollars in VC funding, less than 1% went to women of color (source: Entrepreneur.com).  My mind is blown, which also shows my immense privilege.

My goal for today’s blog post is to highlight a few Black-owned beauty brand products that I already use and love AND also highlight some that I’m dying to try.  Like I said, I spent almost a week scouring through every single brand listed in Fashionista’s comprehensive post (over 250 Black-owned beauty and wellness brands) so I hope you will buy a few of my favorites from these Black businesses.

And one note: I tried to link directly to each brand when possible but for some of the bigger brands (Fenty, Shea Moisture, etc.), I linked to larger retailers.  Because of that, I wanted to let you know that I will be donating 100% of my earnings from any affiliate links in this blog post to the Black Girls Code.

Looking forward to your thoughts here; comment below and let me know your own Black-owned beauty favorites!

17 Beauty Products That You Need Now From Black-Owned Businesses

Black-owned beauty products

Shea Moisture Manuka Honey and Yogury Hydrate + Repair Protein Power Treatment:

I actually blogged about this hair treatment in a recent drugstore favorites blog post and I’m still obsessed.  The mask treatment (which I also use as a conditioner!), reduces breakage by up to 76% and uses certified organic shea butter, manuka honey and yogurt to deep condition weak strands, split ends and breakage.

Black-owned beauty products

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo:

This cooling, peppermint-y shampoo is another blog favorite when it comes to scalp exfoliation and removing product build up!  The smell is heaven, btw, and I love that it’s safe for all hair types (including color-treated, Keratin-treated, etc.).

Vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators remove dead skin cells and product build-up from the scalp to support a clean, balanced, and healthy scalp. A cooling blend of peppermint and spearmint oils reduces scalp itchiness. And tea tree oil has anti-septic and healing properties that reduce scalp irritation and inflammation.

Black-owned beauty products

Black-owned beauty products

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow:

I LOOOOOVE, love, love this lip gloss. In fact, I’ve purchased three in the past year (and that’s a lot for someone who gets sent tons of product every week).  The gloss is super hydrating (hi shea butter), and shiny but not sticky.  Apparently Rihanna was obsessed with creating the perfect gloss that makes you want to put it on over and over again.

“I made it because I wanted the girls to get kissed more.”—Rihanna, Brand Founder

Black-owned beauty products

Beneath Your Mask Heel Whipped Skin Souffle:

Chic packaging? Check.  According to the brand, this whipped skin souffle is a customer favorite and works to hydrate and strengthen skin, combat the effects of aging, reduce the appearance of stretch marks, maintain skin’s elasticity, reduce inflammation and protect skin cells from damaging free radicals.  On top of all that, the ultra-luxurious, incredibly nourishing, whipped skin soufflé contains anti-bacterial, anti-aging and antioxidant properties and will leave your skin feeling soothed, deeply hydrated and pampered.

Undefined Beauty Glow Balm

Undefined Beauty Glow Balm:

I love a good lip balm and this version infused with CBD (!).  The fruit-infused lip treatment is flavored and tinted with real fruit. And full of hydrating botanicals like shea, jojoba and coconut. It’s 100% natural, non-sticky, wax-free, vegan, petrochemical-free and infused with full-spectrum CBD to condition and treat your lips with a universally flattering, subtle yet buildable pop of color.  I NEED this stat.

Skin Buttr Cocoa Vanilla Buttr

Skin Buttr Cocoa Vanilla Buttr:

The brand claims that this product’s combined scents reminds them of “hot cocoa in the winter, with a twist of rich vanilla scents that remind us of ice cream on a hot summer day, in a bronzing buttery form,” and after reading that I was SOLD.  This 100% whipped shea body butter softens, hydrates and moisturizes your skin, in addition to giving you a glow and glistening!

Plant Apothecary Start Happy Organic Body Wash

Plant Apothecary Start Happy Organic Body Wash:

I’m big on body washes that help you start the day (hi, not a morning person here). This organic version is pretty to look at, enriched with organic essential oils and great for all skin types.  The honey-like gel is made of only eight simple ingredients and is scented with geranium and peppermint, which are known for their uplifting properties. #GoodMorning.

Urban Hydration Brighten & Glow Peach & Papaya Micellar Water:

Urban Hydration Brighten & Glow Peach & Papaya Micellar Water:

I’m a sucker for any peach-scented beauty products always and I also LOVE micellar water.  This version tightens the pores and helps nourish, refresh, and brighten the skin’s complexion thanks to Vitamins A and C, magnesium, and potassium. Papaya is famous worldwide for its enzymes that naturally brighten and exfoliate skin.

Kaike Frosting Decadent Hair + Body Butter

Kaike Frosting Decadent Hair + Body Butter:

Are we sensing a theme here? I love food-scented beauty products, ha.  This pure, intensely nourishing hair and body butter provides lasting hydration with a subtly sweet frosting-like scent.  Mango butter and coconut oil work together like BFFs to deeply penetrate skin and hair to retain moisture. While vanilla and apricot kernel oil neutralize free radicals and relieve dry skin and eczema.

OUI The People Sugarcoat Shave Gel-to-Milk

OUI The People Sugarcoat Shave Gel-to-Milk:

This brand in general is just chic AF and I really am dying to try a gel-to-milk formula shave gel.  This unique gel transforms into a milky texture when massaged into wet skin. Argan, grapeseed, marula, and sunflower oils up the ante on the moisture.  A subtle touch of jasmine and neroli oil leaves you smelling pretty fantastic too.  On top of all that goodness, the bottle is refillable.

Mented Gloss for Grown Ups Collection

Mented Gloss for Grown Ups Collection:

I’m not one for wild lip colors and that’s exactly why I LOVE this “grown up” lip collection.  This lipgloss is shiny and smooth without overdoing it. And provides just the right amount of color to add some pep to your step – and your lips! All lip glosses are vegan, cruelty free, and proudly made in the USA. The glosses are also very buildable.

Shades: Mauve Over, Send Nudes, Berry Me, and Baby Brown.

PatMcGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara

PatMcGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara:

If you read this blog regularly then you already know that I LOVE a big, fat mascara wand.  The bigger the better in my opinion.  Pat McGrath, a super famous makeup artist if you’re not already familiar, created this “fetish-worthy” mascara that dramatically lifts, lengthens, and seamlessly builds for lethally-luxe lashes that defy gravity—like “lash extensions in a tube.”

Beauty Bakery Lip Whip Remover

Beauty Bakery Lip Whip Remover:

My girl Marie posted about how amazing this lipstick remover truly is and I take her opinion v. seriously.  These smudge-free lipstick wipes glide gently across your skin, effectively removing any waterproof or long-lasting makeup formulas. The oil-based formula makes removal a piece of cake preventing you from having to pull or tug at your skin.  As an added bonus, lip whip remover will also work to form a barrier that effectively locks the moisture in and keeps your lips soft and supple. These gentle wipes are both dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. You can use them to remove any makeup, not just lipstick.

T By Taraji Mint Condition

T By Taraji Mint Condition:

I’ve tried scalp cleansers and scalp scrubs, but never a scalp conditioner.  Mint Condition aids thirsty and dry scalps (especially scalps under weaves and in braids!), helping them feel more refreshed and moisturized. The tri-touch applicator gets in deep to help seal in moisture without leaving product buildup behind.  The conditioner is great for all hair textures and is infused with aloe, shea butter, peppermint and eucalyptus oil 🙂

Black-owned business

Bekura Vanilla Whiskey Restoring Hair Soak:

Vanilla whiskey? Yes, ok.  This “hair soak” (aka a hair mask) contains a malt extract derived from Scottish whiskey that’s loaded with natural sugars and minerals such as vitamin B6, yielding the perfect unity of hydrating and repairing properties for stressed/damaged hair.

Note: This is a gentle protein treatment and can be used twice a month to help repair brittle or over-processed hair.  Use once a month for maintenance.

Black-owned beauty products

Unsun Hand Cream SPF 15:

Hand creams are v. key right now from all our hand washing. And I love any hand cream that also provides sun protection.  This emollient-rich SPF 15 hand cream absorbs easily and is armed with cucumber and anti-aging extracts to help fight the sun AND aging hands.  It’s also water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, which is pretty impressive for a mineral-based formula specifically for your hands.

Black-owned beauty products

Curly Kids Creamy Curl Defining Lotion:

Lastly, while I was going through the many Black-founded hair care brands, I started thinking about my own 11-year old nephew, Mark. Mark is bi-racial (half white, half black), and even though his hair is actually more like my hair (curly/wavy and frizzy), I wondered if there were any hair brands out there specifically for mixed race people.  I found a few but they were targeted for women, and then I stumbled upon Curly Kids!  It’s for kids with all kinds of curls and I realized that my nephew would probably really like their Curl Defining Lotion (their lightest weight product).  The lotion tames frizz, defines curls and is great for those with a looser curl.  I sent Mark a bottle via Amazon and can’t’ wait to hear what he thinks 🙂

3 thoughts on “17 Beauty Products That You Need Now From Black-Owned Businesses

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