In recent years, several companies within the beauty industry have made great strides to become more diverse and inclusive. Many companies such as L’Oréal Paris and Maybelline New York are expanding their brand to offer a wider range of products that cater to people of color and other underrepresented communities. This effort to increase diversity in the beauty industry is partly due to the large rise of Black female entrepreneurs who have created successful and innovative beauty businesses rooted in inclusivity. For ages, Black people have been left out of the beauty industry and forced to create our own space where Black beauty is amplified and celebrated. Now, Black women especially are pioneering within every sector of beauty, including skincare, haircare and makeup. Below is a list of five phenomenal Black woman-owned beauty brands whose products you definitely need to have on your shelf!
- Black Girl Sunscreen: Contrary to popular belief, Black people need to wear sunscreen too! However, there are not many sunscreens on the market that do not leave a white cast on darker skin tones. To combat this issue, Shontay Lundy created Black Girl Sunscreen, a sunscreen brand made specifically with melanated skin in mind. This company offers a variety of SPF protection ranging from lotions to sprays and is formulated with moisturizing ingredients including avocado and jojoba oil.
- Mented: If you are looking for an ethical, sustainable and inclusive beauty brand then look no further! Mented Cosmetics prides itself on its highly pigmented and clean products. Co-founders KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson envisioned a makeup brand that was environmentally friendly, safe for consumers, and complemented all skin tones; thus, Mented was born. All of Mented’s products are vegan, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and non-toxic.
- TGIN: After dealing with hair loss due to breast cancer, Chris-Tia Donaldson founded the hair care line TGIN (Thank God It’s Natural) to support those facing similar struggles. TGIN products are made with naturally moisturizing and strengthening ingredients including honey, shea butter, and vitamin E. From the beginning of her business journey up until her passing, Donaldson ensured that TGIN was an ethical and sustainable brand that specifically supported women and families affected by breast cancer. This mission is still carried out today through her niece Aris Singleton, the CEO of TGIN.
- Juvia’s Place: Like many Black women, Chichi Eburu struggled to find makeup that complemented her skin tone so she decided to create her own. Juvia’s Place is a brand that celebrates African culture and tradition within every aspect of its products. Juvia’s Place has a wide range of bold and bright eyeshadow palettes and a large variety of foundation shades that will match any skin tone.
5. Alodia Haircare: Backed by science, Alodia Haircare offers innovative products and systems that provide natural solutions to maintaining strong and healthy hair. The founder of Alodia Haircare, Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris, is a biomedical scientist and trichologist who has a passion for natural hair care. With this expertise, Alodia Haircare is wonderfully crafted with quality and effective ingredients that are free of mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, and other toxic ingredients.