30 Impressive Black Beauty Brands to Keep on Your Radar
Up your makeup, hair, skincare, and nail regimen with must-have products from these standout companies.
As a Black woman, my relationship with beauty has long been a complicated one. It’s taken me years to curate a collection of lipsticks that suit my style, whether I’m heading to a work meeting or dinner with family or friends. See, like some Black women, my upper and lower lips are two different tones, so finding the perfect formula to complement them has never come with ease. And let’s not get started on sunscreen. Most products either resulted in acne flare-ups or added an unflattering white cast to my almond complexion. And when I made the decision to stop relaxing my hair years ago? My talented hairstylist—Noël at the Noël New York salon in Brooklyn—pretty much turned every one of our appointments into a therapy session. I didn’t want to do the big chop (a.k.a. cut off my relaxed hair to start the process of wearing it naturally). I couldn’t figure out how to keep my hair moisturized without overloading it with products. Detangling it felt like a chore (the Wet Brush, which Noël swears by, is now my savior), and it was difficult to achieve a salon-style blowout at home—the ones I had been accustomed to getting religiously multiple times a month since high school. And, believe it or not, my list of beauty dilemmas doesn’t end there.
While I certainly still experience my own share of beauty issues as a Black woman, many brands, both independent sellers and those available at mass retailers, have finally responded to our needs. It’s good business sense, especially since Black women drive the beauty industry. For instance, according to ESSENCE, in 2018 alone, the Black hair care business yielded approximately $2.51 billion. It's now less challenging to find makeup, hair, nail, and skin care products that are crafted with Black women in mind. To put it simply, we’ve come a long way.
Whether you’re looking to diversify your beauty arsenal or just need a little pick-me-up, browse some of my favorite beauty brands that, I believe, thoughtfully consider Black women.
Pattern Beauty
If there's one celebrity who is known for her well-defined curls, it's actress Tracee Ellis Ross. In September 2019, the star of ABC's Black-ish launched Pattern Beauty with 3B to 4C hair types in mind. The line includes shampoo, conditioner, and styling products.
Mented Cosmetics
Ask any Black woman about her favorite nude lipstick, and chances are she'll share how long it took her to land on the perfect shade. This pain point is exactly how Mented Cosmetics was born. Its founders, KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson, not only created non-toxic nude lipsticks for a range of skin tones—they also offer eyeshadow palettes, blush, and more.
curlBOX
The beauty of discovery is what drives curlBOX, a monthly subscription service that offers quality hair products at an affordable rate. What's more, its founder, Myleik Teele, hosts an informative podcast called My Taught You, where she shares her honest take on everything from personal finance to career advancement.
Beauty Bakerie
If you always fall for quality beauty products with creative packaging, Beauty Bakerie is for you. The brainchild of breast cancer survivor Cashmere Nicole, the brand's adorable, Instagram-worthy packaging is just as good as its beauty offerings. Consider its eyeshadow palettes, liquid lipsticks, lip scrub, and setting powder.
Redoux NYC
This skincare brand—created by two friends—checks all the right boxes: its products are vegan, handmade, and smell amazing. Try the Turmeric Botanical Bar that features an alluring fragrance of geranium, bergamot, ginger, and sandalwood.
Mielle Organics
Since 2014, Monique Rodriguez's Mielle Organics brand has been committed to supporting Black women on their healthy hair journey. Available at retailers like Target, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS, Mielle Organics' natural hair products include hits like Mint Almond Oil, White Peony Leave In Conditioner, and the Detangling Co-Wash.
Alaffia
It's no wonder why Alaffia snagged a 2019 Good Housekeeping Sustainability Award. Its Authentic African Black Soap, for instance, is a versatile option that can be used as a body wash, facial cleanser, or shaving aid. Plus, the brand prides itself on smart packaging. Along with relying on sustainable materials, including recycled plastic, you can find 32-ounce products that you're sure to have on hand for a reasonable amount of time.
Pat McGrath Labs
Pat McGrath is one of the most sought-after makeup artists in the world, so it's no surprise that her makeup line would strike a chord with beauty enthusiasts. Whether you're on the hunt for pigmented eyeshadows or lightweight matte lipsticks, Pat McGrath Labs has it all.
Black Girl Sunscreen
Any Black girl knows just how difficult it is to find a sunscreen that doesn't leave a gray or white cast all over your body. Thankfully, Black Girl Sunscreen came up with a solution. The brand's paraben-free formula moisturizes skin and keeps it protected from the sun.
The Lip Bar
Melissa Butler's vegan lipstick collection was rejected on "Shark Tank" in 2015, but that didn't stop her from taking her Lip Bar business to the next level. While the former Barclays analyst has a retail store in Detroit, you can also shop her line of bold, affordable lipsticks at Target.
Grace Eleyae
Grace Eleyae has garnered attention for her stylish silk-lined turbans and baseball caps, which are designed to combat dryness and thinning.
Get Hyper Skin
Former attorney Desiree Verdejo is not new to the beauty industry. For three years, she served as the visionary behind Vivrant Beauty, a Harlem boutique that stocked products from Black beauty brands. While the doors closed in 2018, Verdejo has since launched Hyper Skin to help those suffering with acne and hyperpigmentation.
Juvia's Place
If you have no qualms about going bold with your makeup, make the products from Juvia's Place staples in your beauty routine. What to buy? Their vegan and cruelty-free eyeshadow palettes, which are all you need to make a statement.
Briogeo
Whether you're suffering from dry scalp or damaged hair, Briogeo has you covered. The brand is available at Sephora, Nordstrom, and QVC, among others. We recommend looking for its Farewell Frizz Rosehip, Argan & Coconut Oil Blend, plus its popular Don't Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask that's loaded with rosehip, sweet almond and argan oils as well as vitamin B5 and biotin.
Karité
There's nothing like a rich body moisturizer to soothe dry skin, and the raw shea butter from Karité—a brand that was founded by three sisters from Ghana—can get the job done. And if you're hunting for a new addition to your hand cream collection, you won't be disappointed with their hypo-allergenic Crème Mains shea butter product that's packed with vitamins A and E.
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Fenty Beauty
She's dominated the music industry for years, and Rihanna has teamed up with LVMH's Kendo Beauty division to take over the beauty world, too. Since 2017, the brand has launched beauty products that cater to Black women. Take, for instance, one of the star's favorite products in the line—the Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation with an impressive 50 shades for just about every skin tone imaginable.
Oui the People
Add a dose of luxury to your shaving experience with Oui the People. After growing more and more frustrated with typical pink razors that leave nicks and cuts behind, Karen Young decided to take matters into her own hands. Her rose gold razor, which comes with 10 blades, is designed to keep irritation and in-grown hairs at bay.
Mischo Beauty
Thanks to Mischo Beauty, your struggle to find trendy nail polish that's void of chemicals is over. Its 10-FREE formula comes in a slew of shades, including reds, pastels, and navy blues.
Gilded
One look at the packaging of Gilded's body products and you immediately know that you're in for a treat. Its Supreme Body Balm features a nourishing blend of Cupuacu butter and Meadowfoam seed oil, while its Brightening Body Polish contains sugar, Himalayan pink salt, dead sea salt, lychee extract, and vitamin E to keep skin looking its best.
Lauren Napier Beauty
Once Lauren Napier's cleansing wipes are in your makeup bag, you'll have a hard time going back to any drugstore offering. Not only do these gentle cotton wipes remove stubborn eye makeup without a fuss—they're also great for days when you just want to freshen up your skin. Add her La Rose wipes, which are infused with a calming blend of rosewater and starfruit, to your cart.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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![build series presents bobbi brown discussing beauty from the inside out](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/makeup-artist-bobbi-brown-attends-build-series-to-discuss-news-photo-1712693593.jpg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.207xw,0&resize=360:* "Build Series Presents Bobbi Brown Discussing "Bobbi Brown Beauty From The Inside Out: Makeup * Wellness * Confidence"")
![bobbi brown at the build series presents bobbi brown discussing bobbi brown beauty from the inside out makeup wellness confidence](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/makeup-artist-bobbi-brown-attends-build-series-to-discuss-news-photo-1691595782.jpg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.185xw,0&resize=360:* "Bobbi Brown at the Build Series Presents Bobbi Brown Discussing "Bobbi Brown Beauty From The Inside Out: Makeup * Wellness * Confidence"")
