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13 Must-Shop Black-Owned Nail Polish Brands for Every Style

Discover vibrant nail polish brands owned by Black entrepreneurs, celebrating inclusivity and innovation for all skin tones.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 30, 2025

Discover vibrant nail polish brands owned by Black entrepreneurs, celebrating inclusivity and innovation for all skin tones.

In the world of nail beauty, a growing wave of Black-owned nail polish brands is redefining style, self-expression, and inclusivity. These entrepreneurs bring not only COLOR but cultural celebration and a commitment to safe, clean formulas suitable for all nail lovers. Whether you’re deep into creative nail art, prefer classic manis, or want polish that reflects your unique identity, these brands cover every need with flair. Here, discover the story behind the movement, a review of standout brands, and why switching up your polish collection is a beauty power move.

Why Support Black-Owned Nail Polish Brands?

Promote Diversity: Many mainstream nail brands overlook the nuances of deeper skin tones. Black-owned brands formulate shades specifically with melanin-rich skin in mind, ensuring colors pop beautifully.
Celebrate Culture: Each collection often draws inspiration from Black culture, heritage, and identity, turning your nails into a canvas for story and pride.
Prioritize Clean Beauty: Most of these brands feature vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic (often 10-free or more) formulations, making them perfect for health-conscious consumers.
Innovation & Unique Designs: From glittery gels to pastel lacquers and creative DIY kits, Black-owned nail brands often lead by innovating new textures, colors, and nail-care ideas.

13 Black-Owned Nail Polish Brands You Need on Your Radar

Here’s a breakdown of the top names shaking up the nail industry and their flagship products or missions.

Bernadette Thompson Nail Care

Legendary nail artist Bernadette Thompson created the first Black-owned nail brand in the U.S. Having worked with icons such as Beyoncé and Lauryn Hill, her brand offers luxury nail products that fuse runway style with lasting quality. Indulge in high-pigment colors and statement nail art designed for fashion-forward individuals.

D.I.D. Nail Paint

This brand is all about quality, inclusivity, and vibrant self-expression. Using clean, cruelty-free formulas, D.I.D. Nail Paint specializes in unique, long-wearing colors, allowing you to embrace bold trends or classic elegance with equal ease.

Rooted Woman

Rooted Woman empowers self-care through their nail polishes, which are hand-poured and formulated with wellness in mind. Their lineup features toxin-free, vegan polishes in sophisticated earth tones and soft hues, perfect for everyday empowerment and relaxation rituals.

La Pierre Cosmetics

Founded by a health-conscious entrepreneur, La Pierre Cosmetics offers 10-free, vegan nail polish in chic, trend-forward colors. Minimal packaging and classic shades make it a go-to for eco-friendly beauty lovers seeking sophistication and safety.

Mischo Beauty

Developed by brand founder Kitiya King, Mischo Beauty revolutionizes nail health with non-toxic, vegan products. The formulas are luxurious yet safe, with classy creams and playful pastels perfect for pro and DIY manis alike.

Pear Nova

Chicago-based Pear Nova was born at the intersection of high fashion and clean beauty. Their nail lacquers are 10-free, vegan, and come in sustainable packaging. Expect runway-inspired colors, bold glitters, and gel polish options.

MUST TRY: Night In Shining Armor, a silver glitter shade, is an award-winning favorite.

Suite Eleven

Perfect for sensitive skin, Suite Eleven’s polishes are 10-free, vegan, and PETA-certified. Founded by Arieal Smith-Liburd, the brand specializes in gentle, high-performance formulas ideal for allergy-prone users or those seeking peace of mind.

Triple O Polish

Triple O Polish celebrates African culture through handmade vegan lacquers. Each shade draws inspiration from African countries, cities, or experiences, creating a unique collection of vibrant, meaningful colors.

Over 80 handmade lacquers and more than 300 gel colors let you express your heritage or personality with every manicure.

Breukelen Polished

With formulas free from 11 major toxins, Breukelen Polished is as safe as it is stylish. The brand’s polishes come in hues inspired by Brooklyn, and the company’s mission is empowering customers to ‘Own Your Dopeness.’

The Ballet

The Ballet nails minimalist aesthetics with its carefully chosen color palette and sleek packaging. It doubles as a lifestyle brand, also offering candles. If you want sophisticated nails and a chic vanity, this brand delivers.

Pebbles Polish

Pebbles Polish is a kid-friendly label prioritizing vegan and non-toxic formulations. It’s dedicated to creating high-quality, playful shades so even young beauty lovers can enjoy safe and fun manicures. The brand also runs a luxury kid’s spa in Georgia, blending nails with pampering experiences for children.

Pottle

If you love to experiment, Pottle’s DIY kits and protective topcoats are a dream come true. This brand encourages creativity with customizable options and health-boosting products to ensure your nails stay as vibrant as your personality.

9th and Maxwell

A celebration of family and community, 9th and Maxwell offers vegan, non-toxic lacquers formulated for durability and brilliance. Their products feature long-lasting wear designed for modern lifestyles.

What Makes These Brands Stand Out?

10-Free, 11-Free, and Beyond: Many nail polishes from these lines are labeled “10-free” or higher, which means they exclude 10 or more harmful chemicals commonly found in nail polish. These include formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP among others, minimizing allergy risk and promoting nail health.
Vegan & Cruelty-Free: All featured brands either fully vegan or actively promote animal-friendly, cruelty-free practices, ensuring ethical shopping.
Inclusive Color Ranges: From chocolate browns to fiery reds, icy silvers, and neon greens, there’s a shade to match every skin tone and occasion—thanks to founders who understand the spectrum of beauty.
Representation Matters: Product photos and swatches are shown on underrepresented skin tones, making it easier to select your perfect polish and see how it complements your unique complexion.
Empowerment Is Core: Many brands use empowering shade names and run initiatives to spark confidence, self-expression, and pride in Black beauty.

Brand Name	Main Features	Signature Shade/Idea
Bernadette Thompson	First Black-owned nail brand in the U.S.; celebrity nail artist; high fashion inspiration	Editorial, trend-setting colors
D.I.D. Nail Paint	Vibrant, inclusive shades; clean, long-wearing formulas	Bold signature collections
Rooted Woman	Hand-poured, toxin-free, earth tones	Empowering self-care shades
La Pierre Cosmetics	10-free, vegan; classic, minimalist palette	Health-conscious, stylish neutrals
Pear Nova	10-free; award-winning polish; sustainable packaging	Night In Shining Armor (silver glitter)
Suite Eleven	10-free, PETA-certified; allergy-friendly	Gentle performance for sensitive skin
Triple O Polish	Celebrates African heritage; handmade vegan lacquers	Culturally-inspired color names
Breukelen Polished	11-free; Brooklyn-themed shades	Own Your Dopeness Collection
The Ballet	Minimalist shades; lifestyle products	Classic, display-worthy packaging
Pebbles Polish	Kid-friendly, vegan, non-toxic; spa experiences	Fun colors for young beauty lovers
Pottle	DIY kits; protection-focused products	Creative customizable sets
9th and Maxwell	Community-focused; vegan & non-toxic, long-lasting	Vibrant family-inspired hues

How to Choose the Right Black-Owned Nail Polish Brand

Consider personal values (cruelty-free, vegan, cultural connection).
Look for shade range optimal for your skin tone and style.
Check for clean beauty standards (“10-free” and “vegan”).
Support brands with a mission—those empowering underrepresented groups and advocating for beauty as self-expression.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are Black-owned nail polish brands safe for sensitive skin?

Yes; most feature non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free formulas free from harsh chemicals that commonly trigger skin reactions. Brands like Suite Eleven specifically cater to those seeking gentle nail polish.

Do these brands offer gel, lacquer, and traditional polish options?

Absolutely. You’ll find gel polishes, regular lacquers, and even press-on nail sets. Some, like Triple O Polish and Pear Nova, offer extensive gel collections for salon-quality at home.

Why are shade swatches on deeper skin tones important?

It makes color selection easier and more authentic, especially for consumers whose skin tones are underrepresented in mainstream beauty marketing. This commitment ensures you see how the polish really looks on YOU.

What does ’10-free’ mean in nail polish?

It signifies a formula free of 10 harmful chemicals—like formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP—commonly found in traditional nail polishes. Opting for ’10-free’ ensures safer, healthier nails.

Are these brands available internationally?

Many offer global shipping through their websites, and select brands like Auda B Beauty are now available at luxury retailers like Nordstrom.

Tips for Buying Black-Owned Nail Polish

Browse product reviews and swatches on different skin tones.
Support brands with transparent ingredient lists and ethical sourcing practices.
Join newsletters or follow social media for new launches and exclusive collections.
Try signature shades or kits to get a feel for brand identity and formula quality.

The Benefits of Shopping Black-Owned Nail Polish

Elevate your nail game while supporting groundbreaking founders and creative innovation. Every purchase backs inclusion, celebrates self-expression, and empowers communities often overlooked in mainstream beauty. Make your next manicure meaningful—and don’t be afraid to show off those gorgeous colors with pride.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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