2020 has been rocky for everyone. With that being said, it’s time to treat yourself to our favorite fashion and lifestyle brands. What better way to do that then by supporting small black owned businesses? From nail polish, clothing, body care, and even fitness, we’ve got you covered on black owned brands that we are loving right now.
All we have to say is Jackie. Aina. Ever heard of her? Queen of the beauty community on YouTube, Jackie Aina has expanded her talents and her boss babe energy to her own company. The small lifestyle brand sells a variety of candles that are the total vibe. Forvr Mood has a variety of different candle scents and just launched their limited edition fall scents called the Send Moods Collection. With sleek and sexy branding, luxurious, rich scents, and witty names, you can’t beat Forvr Mood. The brand also has silk head bands and pillowcases to take yourself care night to over the top!
Founded by Sharon Chuter, this beauty brand is cruelty free and aiming to rewrite the rules of the beauty community to be more inclusive and diverse. Before launching her own beauty brand, the Nigerian born CEO worked for well-known companies like Revlon, Benefit, and L’Oréal Paris. She pulls inspiration from her African heritage and hopes to continue her inclusive, forward thinking beauty brand that is innovative and well made. From complexion products to eyes, you can shop Uoma on their website.
Founded in 2017 by Ashley Cione and Moya Annece, the two created Ashya in New York City. The brand is unisex travel accessories created to be chic and sophisticated but still purposeful and user friendly. Each collection is an ode to past travels and exploration hoping to embody different cultures with each bag created. The pieces are manufactured and assembled in New York City where fair treatment is prioritized, and waste is minimized.
Support black owned businesses from head to toe! Founded by Rachel James, this Chicago based nail polish brand is going to keep your nails poppin’ day after day. After a year and a half of perfecting her formula and working with leading cosmetic chemistry companies, James was ready to take on her own brand. She debuted her crème polishes that mimic silk and leather textures. Her luxurious nail polishes are vegan, cruelty and 10 free!
Jamiesha Minus, also known as “Nu” is the founder and owner of MakeMeNu. The Philly native started her own skin care and esthetician company in 2018 after attending school to receive her esthetician license. She crafts her own facial and body oils with natural products that are sure to leave your skin feeling nourished and healthy. MakeMeNu also offers cosmetic services like waxing, facials, body treatments, and lashes. You better get in line because MakeMeNu is about to take off and you’re going to want to be on that smooth skin train. You can schedule an appoint with her on her website where you can also purchase your own skin care!
Founded by KJ Miller and Amanda Johnson, Mented Cosmetics is redefining nudes. Pigment is their passion and they aren’t afraid of it! The two crafted their inclusive brand one night over a glass of red wine. When the perfect shade of lipstick couldn’t be found, they decided to take this issue into their own hands and create it. What was once a lipstick is now a full fledge AND thriving beauty brand that sells lipsticks, blushes and eyeshadow palettes. Both Miller and Johnson strive to build and nurture a brand that makes women feel beautiful and included no matter their skin tone. All of their products are vegan, paraben-free, non-toxic and can be found at Target! Go girls!
Talk about beautiful! This black owned beauty brand is about to take over the world. Their mission is to “disrupt the global beauty community.” Hanahana Beauty is setting out to increase transparency, accessibility, and sustainability practices through their company while making women feel beautiful and empowered. All of their beauty products are created with natural and ethically sourced ingredients to ensure that you feel smooth and confident whether you’re going to bed or out with your friends. With most of their products foundation being shea butter, owner Abena Boamah-Acheampong wanted the shea butter sourced from Katariga Women’s Shea Cooperative in Ghana. Treat yourself with their Eucalyptus Shea Body Butter and the Black+Brown scrub. We know we are.
You can’t forget those luscious locks! Vernon François is an internationally acclaimed celebrity hairstylist. He created his eponymous haircare line in his hometown of Huddersfield in Northern England. The brand hopes to leave the world better than they found it, ethically sourcing all of the ingredients that is put into their rich formulas. François champions textured hair by showing the diversity and beauty that comes with each and all textures. You can shop tools and products like combs, clips, silk caps, shine spray, loc spray, and so much more at Sallys or even on their website!
Victor Glemaud was raised in Queens, New York and attended the Fashion Institute of Technology. After working with many well-known brands like Marc Jacobs and Versace, he decided to launch his eponymous loungewear brand. The Hattian born designer creates his garments for all people, races, sizes, and genders and hopes that everyone wearing his designs feels confident and beautiful. His collections has been spotted on well known celebrities and influnecers like Ashley Graham, Hailey Baldwin, Issa Rae, Margot Robbie, Iman, and Michelle Williams.
Created by Arnett Howell Faulkner, the Chicago based body care line is all natural and holistic. She created her first product after she was unable to find a product that worked well with her sons eczema. After her battle with breast cancer in 2009, she found that the natural ingredients the earth brought to her were all the right ones to properly nourish and heal the body. After sharing the amazing products she was creating at home, her brand began to expand rapidly from family, to family friends and beyond. Give your skin a break with AHF body bath oils and body soufflés.
It’s imperative to support and build up the black community and other POC communities. By purchasing from black-owned businesses you’re helping in more ways than one. With your purchases, you’re helping to shrink the racial wealth gap, you’re holding larger companies accountable when it comes to diversity within their own businesses, you’re fostering more jobs for the black community because of supply and demand, and most importantly you’re helping strengthen local black communities. Check out these brands and so many more. Happy shopping!
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