29 Black-Owned Beauty Brands Transforming the Industry
Explore 29 innovative Black-owned beauty brands delivering inclusive products for all skin tones, hair types, and beauty needs.
The beauty industry is experiencing a dynamic transformation, with Black-owned brands leading the way in creating inclusive, innovative, and high-performance products for all. From makeup and skincare to haircare and wellness, these brands emphasize representation, unique formulations, and community-driven missions. This guide celebrates 29 standout Black-owned beauty brands, each bringing something special to the tablewhether you have melanin-rich skin, textured hair, or simply value diverse, effective beauty solutions.
Why Support Black-Owned Beauty Brands?
Despite making up a significant portion of beauty product consumers, Black entrepreneurs have historically faced immense barriers in the beauty industry, including access to funding, shelf space in major retailers, and media representation. Supporting Black-owned brands not only fosters equity but also drives innovation and expands options for all consumers. These brands are often born from a deep understanding of underrepresented needs, resulting in solutions for hyperpigmentation, textured hair, and products in shades that truly match every skin tone.
How This List Was Chosen
- Brands must be Black-owned and founded.
- Offer high-quality beauty or wellness products.
- Commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and ethical practices is considered.
- Selection includes emerging cult-favorites as well as established, award-winning companies.
From formulas acclaimed by beauty editors to cult-favorite essentials praised by everyday users, here are 29 essential Black-owned beauty brands to shop right now.
Inclusive Makeup for Every Skin Tone
1. Fenty Beauty
Founded by Rihanna, Fenty Beauty is credited with revolutionizing the industry by highlighting the need for foundation shades accessible to everyone. With over 50 foundation colors, Fenty Beauty set a new standard for inclusivity, prompting competitors to expand their own shade ranges. Their products, from hydrating concealers to highlighters, are consistently awarded and loved globally.
2. The Lip Bar
Starting as a lipstick line in 2012, The Lip Bar became household name thanks to its bold pigments, vegan formulas, and affordable prices. Now, their range includes complexion products and a “Fast Face” kit for a full look in minutes.
3. UOMA Beauty
UOMA means ‘beautiful’ in Igbo, and founder Sharon Chuter’s brand channels inclusivity with rich hues, buildable coverage, and playful packaging. Their foundation line covers a broad spectrum, and the brand uses a research-based approach to performance makeup for all.
4. Danessa Myricks Beauty
Renowned makeup artist Danessa Myricks delivers pro-quality, multipurpose products. Her pigments work for eyes, lips, and face, with innovative textures perfect for self-expression and artistry for every complexion.
5. Mented Cosmetics
Mented solves the problem of ‘nude’ lipsticks that don’t flatter deeper tones. Their product range—lipsticks, eyeshadows, and blushes—offers versatile, sophisticated neutrals for all skin colors.
6. Pat McGrath Labs
The legendary Pat McGrath is recognized as an industry visionary. Her luxurious formulas, vibrant pigments, and iconic packaging make Pat McGrath Labs a staple on fashion runways and vanities worldwide.
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Revolutionary Skincare Brands
7. Topicals
Topicals focuses on chronic skin conditions like eczema, hyperpigmentation, and rosacea with gentle, science-backed formulas. Their “Faded” serum is a social media favorite for fading dark spots and correcting tone.
8. Eadem
With a mission to create science-driven, effective products for all skin—especially melanated skin—Eadem infuses every formula with carefully chosen ingredients studied by chemists and dermatologists of color. Their serum for dark spots and daily moisturizer are award-winners.
9. Hanahana Beauty
Hanahana blends clean beauty principles with ethical sourcing, featuring shea butter procured from a women’s collective in Ghana. Their moisturizing body butters and versatile oils highlight transparency and sustainability.
10. Buttah Skin
Founded by model Dorion Renaud, Buttah Skin is tailored for melanin-rich skin, providing simple yet powerful routines that address uneven tone, dryness, and environmental stressors. Their whipped body butter and cleansing bars are bestsellers.
11. Rosen Skincare
Specializing in acne-prone skin, Rosen offers clean, minimalistic formulas that target blemishes without harsh ingredients. Their clay masks and spot treatments are celebrated for both effectiveness and gentleness.
Game-Changing Haircare for Curls, Coils, and Beyond
12. Bread Beauty Supply
Founded by Maeva Heim, Bread Beauty Supply formulates everyday essentials for curly, coily, and textured hair. Their collection makes wash days simpler and more joyful, offering a “kit basket” approach to haircare basics and fun extras like high-gloss hair oil.
13. Melanin Haircare
An instant favorite among naturalistas, Melanin Haircare was created by sisters Whitney and Tafetta White to focus on scalp health, hydration, and safe, natural ingredients. Their twist elongating style cream and multi-use oil blend are staples for textured hair routines.
14. Camille Rose
Camille Rose delivers gourmet-inspired products for kids and adults alike, with nourishing ingredients that celebrate natural hair’s unique needs. Their almond jai twisting butter and cleansing shampoos are highly reviewed.
15. Pattern Beauty
Actress Tracee Ellis Ross founded Pattern Beauty to meet the styling demands of curly and coily hair. Their conditioners, styling creams, and tools cater to a wide range of curl patterns for healthy, defined styles.
16. Adwoa Beauty
Named for founder Julian Addo’s Ghanaian heritage, Adwoa Beauty creates minimalist, gender-neutral haircare. Their Baomint line, featuring invigorating botanicals, provides hydration and scalp health in sleek packaging.
Nail and Fragrance Innovators
17. Pear Nova
Pear Nova showcases high-shine nail polishes inspired by founder Rachel James’ travels and her love of art and beauty. Their toxin-free formulas and creative shade names make every manicure special.
18. FORVR Mood
Beauty influencer Jackie Aina created FORVR Mood to deliver luxury candles and fragrances for home and self, celebrating self-care and indulgence with scents designed for all moods.
19. Mela Aromatics
Mela Aromatics offers mood-boosting fragrances and body care, focusing on well-being, identity, and crafting scent experiences that resonate with deeper senses of self.
Wellness, Bodycare & Multidisciplinary Self-Care
20. Golde
Founded by Trinity Mouzon Wofford, Golde infuses wellness with fun, inclusive blends—think turmeric lattes and superfood masks—that support beauty from the inside out. Their approachable, Instagram-friendly products make self-care accessible and enjoyable.
21. KNC Beauty
Kristen Noel Crawley’s KNC Beauty brings innovation to everyday routines with viral lip and eye masks, nourishing balms, and kits packed with cartoons and pop-art whimsy. All products are natural and cruelty-free.
22. Oui the People
Oui the People offers premium razors, shaving creams, and bodycare products that take a skin-first, not skin-perfect, approach. Their ethos focuses on real stories and skin-loving formulas.
23. Rosen Skincare
Also featured for its skincare, Rosen brings gentle and effective blemish solutions to teens and adults, emphasizing clear and healthy skin over unattainable perfection.
Emerging Innovators & Cult Favorites
24. Ami Colé
Launched in 2021 by Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye, Ami Colé had an immediate impact with products crafted for melanin-rich skin that offer a natural, radiant finish. The brand quickly became a favorite for its luminous skin tints and innovative lip oils, as well as for its message of celebrating natural beauty at every shade. Despite high demand and industry acclaim, the brand also highlighted the continued challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs in securing lasting support and funding.
25. Range Beauty
With a fresh approach to foundation, Range Beauty formulates complexion products for sensitive, acne-prone skin. Their undertone-inclusive shades and botanical ingredients resonate with a new generation of thoughtful beauty lovers.
26. Undefined Beauty
Undefined Beauty breaks barriers by making clean, plant-based skincare and bodycare inclusive and affordable. Their products emphasize wellness, accessibility, and destigmatizing advanced skincare ingredients.
27. Beauty Bakerie
Founder Cashmere Nicole’s Beauty Bakerie infuses whimsical branding (think cupcake-themed packaging) with long-wearing, transfer-proof makeup. Their “flour setting powder” and “lip whips” rank as viral hits.
28. Juvia’s Place
Inspired by African heritage and vibrant color stories, Juvia’s Place is beloved for its boldly pigmented palettes and affordable prices. The brand democratizes pro-level artistry for everyone.
29. Briogeo
Briogeo offers clean, performance-driven haircare for all textures and types, focusing on gentle ingredients and diverse self-care solutions. Products like “Don’t Despair, Repair!” are cult favorites for restoring hair strength and shine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why is supporting Black-owned beauty brands important?
A: Supporting Black-owned brands drives diversity, addresses beauty needs often overlooked by mainstream companies, and helps reduce disparities in business funding and opportunity. These brands lead with innovation, authenticity, and representation.
Q: Are Black-owned beauty products just for people of color?
A: No. While many Black-owned brands were created to fill gaps for underrepresented consumers (such as deeper foundation shades or curly hair products), their high-performance formulas and inclusive missions mean they offer solutions suitable for every skin tone and hair type.
Q: Where can I buy Black-owned beauty brands?
A: Many of these brands are available at major retailers such as Sephora, Ulta, and Target, as well as through their own websites. Shopping directly from the brands ensures that more of your purchase supports the founders and their missions.
Q: Are Black-owned beauty brands more expensive?
A: These brands offer a range of prices. Some are luxury-focused, but many provide affordable and mid-range options. Their value often comes from high-quality, thoughtfully formulated products for specific needs ignored by mainstream brands.
Q: How can I discover new Black-owned beauty brands regularly?
A: Follow beauty editors, influencers, and platforms that spotlight BIPOC creators, such as social media hashtags (#SupportBlackBusiness), beauty magazines, and curated retailer sections dedicated to Black-owned brands.
Table: Standout Black-Owned Beauty Brands by Category
| Brand | Category | Notable Product | Founder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fenty Beauty | Makeup | Pro Filt’r Foundation | Rihanna |
| The Lip Bar | Makeup | Fast Face Kit | Melissa Butler |
| Danessa Myricks Beauty | Makeup | ColorFix Pigments | Danessa Myricks |
| Topicals | Skincare | Faded Serum | Olamide Olowe, Claudia Teng |
| Hanahana Beauty | Bodycare | Shea Body Butter | Abena Boamah-Acheampong |
| Bread Beauty Supply | Haircare | Hair-Oil | Maeva Heim |
| Pattern Beauty | Haircare | Hydration Shampoo | Tracee Ellis Ross |
| FORVR Mood | Fragrance/Home | Luxury Candles | Jackie Aina |
Conclusion: Shaping a More Inclusive Beauty Future
These 29 Black-owned beauty brands are more than businesses—they are catalysts for systemic change, demanding a beauty industry where everyone is seen, supported, and celebrated. As the industry continues to evolve, supporting these pioneers not only ensures access to better products but also helps shape a more equitable and diverse marketplace for all. Every purchase is a step toward representation, innovation, and beauty without boundaries.
References
- https://theeverymom.com/black-owned-beauty-brands/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/g65674568/black-owned-brands-glossier/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a65450243/open-letter-to-beauty-industry-black-owned-brands/
- https://www.donate.westminster.ac.uk/news/cosmopolitan-names-westminster-alumnas-company-as-one-of-17-black-owned-beauty-brands-everyone-should-know-about
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymAnhp6nPRw
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/gallery/black-owned-beauty-brands-to-empower
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