It is important to know that August is National Black Business Month–a time to celebrate Black voices through representation and visibility of Black culture and services around the world. According to a 2018 blogpost published by Black Enterprise, 62% of Black Americans stated that their hopes in going after their dreams encouraged them to launch their businesses. While a high percentage of Black business owners expressed this, the blogpost also reported an estimated 80% of U.S. Black entrepreneurs found that the biggest challenge they faced was a lack of capital. Moreover, the site continually stated that, in 2016, only .2% of all venture capital that year went to Black women and their startup companies.
These startling statistics are why we should be supporting and spreading the word about Black-owned businesses, especially Black-owned beauty brands, seeing that this industry is always booming and in need of inclusivity. As a Black woman and once a daughter to a Black woman business owner, I know how difficult it is to see Black businesses be looked over, appropriated, and under-recognized in a world that thrives off of Black beauty standards and Black creativity to the everyday consumer. So here are 10 Black-owned beauty brands everyone should support!
Many Black girls, including myself, always basked in the sun, never thinking for one second that our melanin wouldn’t have us covered somehow, some way. While the melanin in our skin has sun protectant factors, we should still be wearing sunscreen daily to protect us from the dangers of UV rays to prevent cancer and reduce hyperpigmentation. Thankfully, Black Girl Sunscreen is a vegan and cruelty-free sunscreen, created and founded by Shontay Lundy. This sunscreen is catered to deeper shades and also has a kid’s line! This sunblock is for all skin tones and types and can be found at a Target near you!
The Honey Pot Company offers a variety of feminine products, and is even “the first plant-based feminine care system on the market”, according to their Instagram bio. The company was founded by Beatrice Dixon, who–according to Forbes–is amongst “1 out of 40 women of color to raise $1 million in venture capital”. The wonderful part about this brand is that it extends the conversation of beauty and health in terms of race and gender. Check them out to keep your honeypot healthy!
If you’ve been in search of 100% African shea butter and genuine African Black soap, you won’t be dissatisfied with Hamamat African Beauty! Considered to be “the ultimate African experience”, this skincare beauty brand is 100% natural and completely handmade. They have incredible reviews and, as a present and bias customer, I have to say they have the best shea butter ever! The creator of this beauty brand is Ghanian model Hamamat Montia and, when you see her glowing skin, you’ll want to buy her products too!
The beauty brand Essentials by Temi is a plant-based beauty skincare brand that is essential, no pun intended, for your skincare. The founder of this business is Temi Shobowale who is also the creator of the wellness group Herday. The line carries oil facial elixirs and botanical masques that your skin will thank you for. Have a look–it’s essential!
Anime lovers everywhere should definitely shop Mocha P Beauty. A beauty brand that emulates and honors anime culture, 21-year-old Mocha Princesa has combined her passions by making high-quality cosmetics more affordable for young Anime fanatics. Mocha P Beauty has the cutest lip glosses and makeup palettes that’ll make you feel like a Kawaii princesa every single day. The beauty brand also rocks by helping other people start their own business through their shopping site. Be inspired and have a click!
Pear Nova is a Black-owned nail polish brand that has received tremendous praise from beauty and fashion sources like Vogue, Essence, and Allure. This beauty line is runway-inspired and contains cruelty-free products. Additionally, the company specializes in gel lacquer, keeping your nails trendy and shiny! The owner of Pear Nova is Rachel James; she has made waves in the nail beauty industry and rightfully deserves her roses. Shop Pear Nova today!
I’m always on the hunt to finesse some good gloss for on the go, which is why I always do my best to find new products to try. Glossed by Abby is a small business I recently stumbled upon that everyone should explore if you have the chance. The company was only founded this year by college student Abby Kalonjii. The beauty brand offers numerous lip products–such as lip gloss, lip oil, lip masks, etc.–but also carries a variety of beauty merch, like facial spray and eyelash adhesive. The company has already shipped to 38 states and 3 countries thus far! Don’t sleep on these products and get your gloss today!
FLYGIRL is a newly started small business that provides bundles, jewelry, and clothing. According to CEO and founder Kemarilyn Chanel, “to be fly is to be exquisite”. Chanel is an artist, model, social media influencer, and self-taught hairstylist. The brand is women empowerment oriented and looks to be an up and coming beauty brand to keep tabs on. Get your very own FLYGIRL tops and discounted bundles at this Black-owned beauty brand site!
If you’re looking for the right products to maintain protective styles and keep your curly and coily hair moisturized, try out Girl + Hair! Its Black dermatologist owned and can be found at Target. This line truly understands afro-textured hair and is dedicated to anti-breakage, relieves itching, and prevents hair odor underneath your weave or extension. The creator and founder Dr. Camille Verovic has a mission to keep women’s hair healthy and thick, whilst being cruelty-free. Begin your journey by checking the beauty brand out.
The next time you plan to go out with friends and you need a pair of nice, luxurious faux mink lashes, shop at dripped n mink beforehand. These lashes look so nice that you’ll want to wear lashes in bed! They come in variations of natural to dramatic looking pairs of 25 mm sets. Super cute and at great prices, there is no reason to shop for a pair of minks outside of this beauty brand. The owner Azariah “AZ” Parks is based and from Atlanta, Georgia, and began her lash dealings in the summer of 2019. She’ll have you covered from A to Z. Shop DrippedNMink today!
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