The beauty industry has lacked diversity just as much as any other industry. And we don’t need to get in to the obvious reasons behind this.
Ironically, diverse consumers, specifically black women, spend trillions of dollars each year on beauty and skincare brands— even through these brands rarely cater to them.
How often have you gone shopping at your favorite beauty retailer, only to realize that some of the most popular brands don’t offer your shade of foundation? How many times have you been excited about a seasonal collection launch only to find that the lipstick and eyeshadow options aren’t flattering to your skin tone?
With the increasing information about skin care and proper regimens, you would think there was at least a plethora of brand offering products with SPF that protect melanated skin without leaving an ashy residue right?
WRONG.
Which is why black beauty brands have become an integral part of our culture. Like those in many other industries, black beauty brands have created a space for marginalized consumers, and have created products for us to fill the beauty void.
Yes, in 2020, the beauty industry has a LONG way to go in diversity and inclusion, and offering products that represent more than one type of consumer. Which is why supporting black owned beauty brands is especially important.
These brands have slowly been making their mark in the industry, catering to consumers of color and meeting all of their beauty needs. The problem is they don’t always get the visibility that they should. Small black owned brands are often overshadowed by their larger competitors. They haven’t always had the platform or following to increase awareness of their products.
Luckily for them, black owned brands have received new attention following the racial unrest in our current climate. It has become “on-trend” to support black owned businesses and amplify their voices in an effort to promote real change, equality and equity.
I’m glad our beloved brands are becoming more popular with new audiences, but let’s be real— we have ALWAYS known where its at.
So, I’m taking the opportunity to share with you my favorite black owned beauty brands on my platform. Not only to increase awareness to my clientele, but with hopes that it will amplify their voices, and continue to promote change. And since supporting black business is “trending,” let’s seize the opportunity to continue to celebrate what makes black just so amazingly beautiful!
I own a products from all of these brands, whether its for personal use or as a part of my professional kit. So trust me when I say, these are the best of the best! Sworn by a real beauty professional! trust me!
Pictured here is some of my work featuring black owned beauty brands!
I’ll be featuring some of the mentioned brands in my upcoming virtual masterclass: Melanin Magic, Makeup & Skincare on Friday, August 7th 2020.
Learn how to create flawless, glowing makeup with some of my favorite Black owned brands!
For more info, click here.
Now let’s get into these brands honey!
Bee Cosmetics Pro
So I’m a little biased with this selection because not only was Bee cosmetics Pro founded in Milwaukee, but it is also the first beauty brand to offer me a brand partnership!
Bee Cosmetics Pro offers vegan, cruelty free products, and amazing skincare! I use their liquid lipsticks on all of my clients, and their “Bright and Tight” sheet mask on all of my brides. My collection with Bee includes the mask, as well as a jade roller. When you use the duo together, your amplify your melanin! Key ingredients moisturize the skin, brighten the complexion and tighten/lift revealing a youthful glow. To view the collection, visit
Bee Cosmetics Pro is also the only official retailer of Beauty So Clean Products, created to sanitize makeup products! Yes, your makeup should be cleaned regularly, and sanitized if being used by multiple people. Makeup holds a LOT of bacteria. You can’t have great skin if you’re using dirty tools and products. Let’s keep that melanin happy and healthy! It’s the only way to glow!
OMGLO Cosmetics
I fell in love when I discovered OMGLO Cosmetics Products. Their magic lies in their name. They are all about the GLOW!
OMGLO has a product line that amplifies your glow with key ingredients like illuminating pigments, Shea butter and aloe Vera— which promote moisture, smooth imperfections and brighten the complexion.
I can honestly say that I love the entire product line. They are known most for their Highlighting Mists, which are great before, during and after makeup application. Their products have been featured on celebrities, in Essence Magazine and… in Beyoncé’s music video “Spirit,” from the Lion King Soundtrack. Also, the owner Joelle hand-makes all of her products, and is the absolute best!
Black Opal Beauty
Black Opal is a beloved drugstore brand that has been around for a long time! They more recently went back into black ownership- and their team is amazing! Not only do they provide quality, shade inclusive Products, they also use their platform to celebrate black talent.
My favorite black opal product is the True color Foundation Stick. Artists like myself love these foundations because they are highly pigmented, shade inclusive, long-wearing and photograph beautifully. They are also multi-use, and work flawlessly as foundation, bronzer, contour and highlight products— a MUST HAVE!
Fenty Beauty
This brand is actually the birth child of Rihanna. I mean, who doesn’t love her?
Rihanna changed the game when she launched this brand. She made waves by offering one of the largest foundation and concealer shade ranges out of any brand worldwide. One it released, Fenty Beauty forced its larger competitors to increase brand diversity.
What I love about Fenty products is that they offer luxury quality at a decent price point, and are accessible to your every day consumer.
Fenty also listens to their audience, and creates products that the people want, rather than what they think we need. She also just released Fenty Skin, a gender inclusive skincare brand. Rihanna can do no wrong in my book!
The Lip Bar
The Lip Bar is a boss-chick brand, and here’s why: they are most known for crating bold, black-girl friendly lip shades, which ironically is why they were laughed off the reality show Shark Tank. The Shark Tank panel didn’t see any value in a black owned brand offering “wild” lip colors, and quickly dismissed them off the show. But that didn’t stop them from making their mark and following their dreams.
Today, The Lip Bar can be found in Target stores nationwide, and their brand is ever increasing. Not only do they make amazing products, but they also won’t let anyone keep them from making their dreams come true. If you know me, I’m all about passion and purpose- so this brand is near and dear to my heart. The true definition of the Glow-Getter brand!
Black Girl Sunscreen
Speaking of Target, Black Girl Sunscreen is another black-owned brand featured in their stores. This brand is amazing because they are one of very few who offer sun protection that caters to melanated skin.
SPF products often leave a white film on the skin, causing it to look ashy. But not the ones from Black Girl Sunscreen! This sunscreen protects your melanin, and still lets it shine!
And yes, black girls need protection from the sun. Although the sun amplifies our melanin, it can also expedite the aging process and damage or wrinkle skin. Not to mention the risk of skin cancer! So protect yourself, and your melanin, all while supporting this black owned business.
Mented Cosmetics
Another brand known for black girl friendly lip shades! This brand is the king of black girl nude lip colors. And honestly, they look good on everyone!
Don’t you hate when you try on a use lipstick and it gives you ashy looking lips? Well, you won’t get that here!
I also love their glosses because they are hydrating and non-sticky. Perfect for every day wear!
Danessa Myricks Beauty
This is honestly my favorite brand for my pro artist kit. Danessa is a makeup artist herself, and understands what we need from our products in order to properly cater to our clients, not matte their skin shade, texture or type of facial features. Some of here products do have a learning curve for the average consumer, but they are worth the effort! Not only are they all long-wearing, and waterproof, but they photograph beautifully!
Marena Beaute
I recently became acquainted with this brand! They offer beautiful brown girl friendly shades, at a decent price point. They are also based in Sweden, which is pretty cool! Their nude lipsticks are beautiful on any skin tone and feel wonderful on the lips.
Prime Beauty Cosmetics
I LOVE this brand. They offer bronzers for deeper skin, which is rare in this industry. Bronzers are used to create depth in the skin, giving you a sun-kissed, vacation-like glow. I guess most brands feel that melanated skin doesn’t need any more color, which is why there are barely any that offer a wide shade range.
The Prime Beauty filled this void and their products do not disappoint! Definitely a must have.
There are so many more brands I could name, but I wanted to highlight these 10 as they are staples in my world.
I hope that this post has informed you and inspired you to continue to support black owned businesses!
And of course, you can support my black owned business by purchasing my collection, registering for my class, or booking an appointment!
And of course, sharing this blog post!
Thanks for reading, Glow-Getter! I look forward to seeing your melanin-inspired Glow-Up!
Until next time,
Shalisa