Black-Owned Fashion and Beauty Companies to Support Now and Forever
Black history and its culture have always had a profound effect on the fashion and beauty industries -- particularly in the United States. And now that Black HIstory Month is around the corner, this is the perfect time to recognize all the Black-owned businesses out there and show your support (all the while scoring great new clothes, accessories and beauty products in the process).
Many companies are navigating new ways of serving their customers due to social distancing mandates brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. For Black business owners, the stress of day-to-day life -- not to mention everything that comes with keeping a business afloat -- is compounded by the continued fight against police brutality, racial injustice and systemic issues that have plagued American history for centuries.
There are actionable ways to amplify Black voices and carry on the fight against racism, especially has we grow more in our awareness for Black history. In addition to educating ourselves, encouraging conversations with family, friends and colleagues and donating to organizations fighting against racial injustice, one way to support the Black community is by shopping from Black-owned businesses. But not just for Black History month -- as often as you can, now and forever.
Below, we've listed the Black businesses in the fashion and beauty spheres that we love.
Scroll through to learn more about these amazing brands. Shop from them now, if you can, and always going forward. And check back as we add more.
Agrestal Beauty
A handcrafted, plant-based beauty line founded by Emilia Ramos, Agrestal Beauty offers all-natural skincare and body products.
Base Butter
The beauty brand is all about making skincare effortless for Black women with oily and combination skin types. Co-founded by Nicolette Graves and She'Neil Johnson, Base Butter provides simple, easy-to-use formulas that work.
Beauty by Dr. Kari
Trichologist, master braider and celebrity hairstylist Dr. Kari Williams creates hair products with formulas backed by science, specifically made to care for natural hair.
Beauty Bakerie
Founder Cashmere Nicole's baked goods-inspired cosmetics line boasts cruelty-free makeup for lips, eyes and face with an inclusive range of shades.
Black Girl Sunscreen
Founder Shontay Lundy created Black Girl Sunscreen to provide sun protection for women of color. The moisturizing SPF 30 sunscreen lotion dries on clear, leaving no visible or greasy residue. It's also free of oxybenzone and parabens and available in a version for kids.
Botánika Beauty
Inspired by botánica stores, the Afro-Latinx-owned haircare line from founder Ada Rojas offers styling products for all curl types using herbs as ingredients such as sage and bay leaf.
Bread Beauty Supply
A haircare line of shampoo alternative and co-wash products made with clean formulas for kinky, curly or coily hair by founder and CEO Maeva Heim.
Brother Vellies
Founded by Aurora James, Brother Vellies is inspired by traditional African design practices and their stylish accessories are handcrafted by artisans all over the world.
Briogeo
Founder Nancy Twine creates performance-driven haircare products using clean ingredients, inspired by her grandmother's homemade beauty recipes.
Coco and Breezy Eyewear
Twin sisters, designers and DJ duo Corianna and Brianna Dotson's eyewear styles have been sported by music's biggest stars like Alicia Keys and Nicki Minaj. The brand offers both sunglasses and opticals.
Ecoslay
Adria Marshall's Ecoslay homemade hair products are created in her kitchen, using natural, eco-friendly ingredients for cleansers, conditioners, stylers and treatment oils for curly hair.
Epara Skincare
This U.K.-based luxury skincare line, started by Ozohu Adoh, is a collection of handcrafted skincare products made to nourish and protect the skin of women of color. Epara Skincare products are made with natural African ingredients.
Glam Body
Owned by publicist and TV producer Danika Berry, Glam Body offers all-natural coffee body scrubs filled with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that alleviate dry, patchy skin and hyperpigmentation for a soft, smooth, glowing result.
Golde
Indie wellness brand born in Brooklyn, Golde, co-founded by Trinity Mouzon Wofford, is all about superfood-infused health and beauty products that are natural and fun to use. Offerings include turmeric latte blends and papaya face mask.
Harlem Candle Company
Travel and lifestyle expert Teri Johnson's home brand offers luxurious, handcrafted scented candles inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, spanning from fresh, fruity scents to bold, woody fragrances.
House of Aama
Designed by mother and daughter duo Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka, House of Aama's timeless clothing and accessories convey the Black experience with storytelling and nostalgic and historical references.
Kim Kimble Signature Collection
Hollywood hairstylist Kim Kimble's brand offers haircare, hair repair products, accessories and styling tools great for curly hair textures.
KNC Beauty
KNC Beauty by Kristen Noel Crawley is where you can shop chic, star-shaped, retinol-infused eye masks and collagen-infused lip masks, both made with natural ingredients.
Pyer Moss
Haitian-American designer Kerby Jean-Raymond's mens and womenswear collection and runway shows are dedicated to thought-provoking storytelling and activism.
Mateo New York
Matthew Harris' fine jewelry designs are the epitome of modern elegance. Each piece from the line of earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets and anklets is made from 14 karat gold with use of diamonds and precious gemstones.
Mayvenn
Founder Diishan Imira, who grew up in a family of hairstylists, launched Mayvenn to provide high-quality hair extensions available in a wide variety of textures and colors. When you buy hair from Mayvenn, the brand will match you with a stylist in your area to help you get it installed for free.
Mented Cosmetics
Co-founders Amanda E. Johnson and KJ Miller began Mented Cosmetics when they couldn't find the perfect nude lip shade for their skin tone. Mented has expanded from their original nude lipsticks to all makeup categories that offer shades for women with dark skin tones.
Nubian Skin
London-based Nubian Skin was founded by Ade Hassan, member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), to provide a solution to the lack of nude undergarments available in the market for women of color. The brand offers lingerie, hosiery and swimwear.
Riot Swim
Founded by Monti Landers, Riot Swim is where you can find sexy, minimalist-style bikinis and one-pieces.
Roam Vintage
This L.A. vintage online store is owned by Natasha Zoë Garrett, who handpicks treasured, one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories and home goods.
Royal Jelly Harlem
This clothing and home decor line from mother-daughter duo Teta and Maya Gorgoni celebrates the artistry, culture and traditions of Africa.
Salone Monet
Monet designs color-inclusive nude heels -- the Sable sandal style and Jone pump style, available in six shades from fair to deep. Stars such as Beyoncé, Gabrielle Union and Keke Palmer have all rocked Monet's wardrobe-essential shoes.
Sincerely, Tommy
A boutique located in Brooklyn, Sincerely, Tommy, owned by Kai Avent-deLeon, carries emerging fashion and lifestyle brands. Sincerely, Tommy also has a hostel, cafe, coffee bar and wellness space (coming soon). You can shop the boutique via their online store.
Sunday II Sunday
Founder Keenan Beasley launched haircare brand Sunday II Sunday, inspired by the women in his life who have active, on-the-go lifestyles. The products are formulated with active ingredients to restore loss of moisture caused by sweat, buildup and environmental damage.
Telfar
The New York-based unisex fashion line is founded by 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner Telfar Clemens, who designs apparel, jewelry and the popular Telfar logo shopping bags.
Thrilling
An online fashion marketplace, founded by entrepreneur and CEO Shilla Kim-Parker, that curates a selection of unique vintage pieces from boutiques and second-hand stores across the country, featuring many BIPOC and female-owned shops.
UOMA Beauty
Founded by Nigerian-born former beauty executive Sharon Chuter, UOMA is home to innovative makeup products created for all. The award-winning Say What?! Foundation is a key product from the line. Available in 51 shades, the foundation comes in six custom formulations tailored to the unique needs of different skin color groups, called Skin Kins.
Vernon François Haircare
Celebrity hairstylist Vernon François' line offers haircare products, styling products and accessories for natural hair.
We Dream In Colour
From designer and illustrator Jade Gedeon, We Dream In Colour offers colorful, handmade statement jewelry inspired by nature. Celebs such as Jennifer Hudson, Kerry Washington and Zendaya have worn her pieces.
Just in case you're looking for more Black-owned businesses to support and shop from this year, scroll down to see products from Oprah's Favorite Things of 2020 list -- which is entirely made of Black-owned brands and be sure to check out the Black-owned health and wellness businesses to know, too.
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