Similar to many industries lacking in their representation of people of color, the beauty industry is no different. Many trends in the beauty industry that we see today have been started by people of color but they are rarely given the recognition they deserve both socially and financially. It was hard to narrow down my list to only 8 black-owned makeup brands because there are so
many incredible companies. I encourage you to do research as well to find more black-owned makeup brands because the ones I provide in this list are just the tip of the iceberg of amazing black-owned beauty companies.
Juvia’s Place
This vibrant and bold makeup company is one of the most talked about black-owned beauty brands and has rightly made its way onto the shelves at Ulta in recent years. It was started by Chichi Eburu who is Nigerian and wanted to create a cosmetics line to celebrate the beauty of African Queens and people. They are known best for their highly-pigmented eyeshadow palettes that come in a range of everyday neutrals to stunning vibrant colors.
Shop Juvia’s Place: https://www.juviasplace.com/
Pat McGrath Labs
Besides Juvia’s Place, Pat McGrath Labs is one of the most well-known black-owned beauty companies due to its high-quality formulas and innovative designs. The company was started by none other than Pat McGrath herself who is from Britain who views makeup as a powerful movement and wanted to capture that idea in her brand. When it comes to high-quality and high-pigmentation from lipsticks to eyeshadows to foundations Pat McGrath Labs is unrivaled. Her products do come with a high price tag but there is no doubt that they are worth it.
Shop Pat McGrath Labs: https://www.patmcgrath.com/
Black Opal Beauty
Black Opal Beauty was started 25 years ago and was not an entirely black-owned beauty company until only recently. The company welcomed their new CEO Desiree Rogers and President Cheryl Mayberry McKissack who have now transitioned the company into being entirely black-owned. They are best known for their velvety full-coverage foundation sticks that blend like a dream and that come in a wide range of colors.
Shop Black Opal Beauty: https://blackopalbeauty.com/
Coloured Raine Cosmetics
Coloured Raine Cosmetics is a new company started in 2013 by Loraine Dowdy who says that her mission for her company is to inspire diversity, self-expression, and break down the barriers in the beauty community for people of color. The company makes stunning bold eye shadow palettes and beautiful lip products from neutral matte liquid lipsticks to colorful glitter lip toppers.
Shop Coloured Raine Cosmetics: https://colouredraine.com/
Mented Cosmetics
The company was started by KJ Miller and Amanda Johnson who were frustrated with never being able to find the perfect lipstick, foundation, and bronzer to match their skin tone. They decided to start Mented Cosmetics to provide high-quality products with a wide shade range so everyone no matter their skin color could find a product that works perfectly for them. They are most known for their lip products from liners and glosses to matte lipsticks and liquid lipsticks.
Shop Mented Cosmetics: https://www.mentedcosmetics.com/
Ace Beaute
Ace Beaute was started in 2016 by Niye Aniekan-Attang under the motto of “Beauty for All.” Aniekan-Attang wanted to create a company that allowed everyone to experiment and create unique makeup looks no matter their age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Ace Beaute’s top product is its colorful eyeshadow palettes that feature a mixture of neutrals and bolds that compliment all skin tones.
Shop Ace Beaute: https://www.acebeaute.com/
Lamik Beauty
Kim Roxie started Lamik Beauty because she noticed a lack of clean and natural beauty products for women of color. Her products are formulated with high-quality antioxidants and moisturizing oils rather than harsh chemicals that are used in most beauty products. Lamik Beauty is best known for its foundations because not only is formula amazing but they can create custom blends for any skin tone.
Shop Lamik Beauty: https://lamikbeauty.com/
Uoma Beauty
Uoma Beauty began in 2018 by Sharon Chuter who is Nigerian and started her brand to create cosmetic products that complimented the skin tones of people of color. Her products are influenced by Black female icons that are meant to inspire creativity, empowerment, and self-expression. Uoma Beauty carries a wide range of products from lipsticks to eye shadows to brow products to liners; but, their most popular product is their foundation that comes in an impressive range of 51 shades so everyone is guaranteed to find their perfect match.
Shop Uoma Beauty: https://uomabeauty.com/