This year, the #BlackLivesMatter movement did more than just shine a light on the injustices Black people face. It also advocated for all people to support Black-owned businesses – Although many mainstream beauty brands are diversifying their products to cater to Black women, there are Black-owned beauty brands that have been doing that for years.
Many Black-owned beauty brands are also female-owned and advocate for sustainable beauty. With Black Friday approaching, here are eight Black-owned beauty brands.
Uoma Beauty
Uoma Beauty is a Nigerian-owned beauty brand founded by former beauty executive Sharon Chuter. Uoma Beauty has a wide range of foundations, lip colors, and brow pencils. Chuter was named one of the 50 most forward-thinking executives shaping the future of the beauty industry by WWD Women’s Wear Daily. Her extensive career in the beauty industry, working with brands like Revlon, L’Oréal, and Benefit Cosmetics, led her to start her own brand. “The world is beautiful because we are all different and colorful in our unique way and this is why Uoma Beauty exists,” said Chuter.
Nuban Beauty
Another Nigerian-owned beauty brand that is based in Nigeria is Nuban Beauty. Medical lab scientist and part-time makeup artist, Stella Ndekile, partnered with Nigerian celebrity makeup artist, Jane Ogu to create this brand in 2017. The brand has not only rich foundations, concealers, and stunning lipsticks but also makeup tools. “Our major goal is to bring premium quality makeup products and tools to makeup lovers and professionals everywhere in Nigeria and Africa,” said Ndekile.
Coloured Raine Cosmetics
Brooklyn-born with Caribbean roots, Loraine R Dowdy left her full-time job to start Coloured Raine Cosmetics in 2013. This beauty brand is focused on self-expression and diversity with a vast range of eyeshadows that are highly pigmented and lip lacquer with tons of color payoff. All products are cruelty-free! “My advice is to keep on rising to the top and don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t reach your goals, or that you’re wasting your time. Stay fierce, and keep on serving that black girl magic!” said Dowdy on her LinkedIn page.
Yanga Beauty
YangaBeauty is a Nigerian-owned beauty brand that offers beautiful, reliable and cruelty-free beauty products. The brand was started by Jenifer Lisa Uloko, an experienced makeup artist, in 2014. “We believe that beauty care should not be a disguise but a way of enhancing your natural beauty,” said the brand on their website. Yanga Beauty has a range of eyeshadows, makeup brushes, and their own false eyelashes.
Mented Cosmetics
Founders of Mented Cosmetics, KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson who met at Harvard Business School wanted to redefine what ‘nude’ means for women of color. They created a wide range of ‘nude’ lip products from a soft taupe to deep, rich chocolate. Their vegan non-toxic nude lipsticks launched in 2017. The brand has expanded to include foundation, blushes, eyeshadow palettes, and nail polish. “The message is really resonating. Women of color were used to being treated as an afterthought. It’s not every day that you’re a priority,” said Miller.
Beauty Bakerie Makeup
Cashmere Nicole founded Beauty Bakerie in 2011 and this 100% cruelty-free vegan makeup brand has gained popularity for its Matte Lip Whip lipsticks. Nicole fought breast cancer as a single mom to grow this multi-million dollar business.
Juvia’s Place
Nigerian-born Chichi Eburu was looking for a beauty brand that had eyeshadows pigmented enough to stand out against rich skin tones and decided to create her own brand. Juvia’s Place is known for its bold eyeshadow palettes and their foundations and concealers have a vast shade range for the perfect match. Juvia’s Place celebrates Africa’s various cultures and heritages by naming various products after different African kings, queens and countries.
Ace Beaute
Niya Aneikan-Attang launched Ace Beaute (pronounced Ace Boo-tee) in 2016 after leaving a career in the financial industry. This cruelty-free beauty brand started with a selection of false eyelashes and expanded to include highly pigmented eyeshadow palettes, makeup brushes, lip liners, and luxe press-on nails. Ace Beaute’s motto is ‘Beauty for All’ catering to anyone regardless of their age, skin color, and socioeconomic status.
Sources
Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachlor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies.
She’s an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.
