During these past few weeks, there have been worldwide protests against racism in the United States. This has inspired me to raise awareness around a few amazing black female-owned beauty businesses.
The beauty industry, especially when I first started working in it 15 years ago, didn’t have many products tailored towards black people of color. Foundations especially were hard to find in deeper complexions, although fortunately, things have finally started to evolve. Some companies have started selling more options for women of color, including foundations that come in shades for all different types of women.
Here are five black and female-owned beauty companies to follow and purchase from:
This is a body care company by Karen Young and sells the best razor for ingrown hair prevention on sensitive skin. Karen created this old-school-inspired safety razor for women as she noticed there was a gap in the market. These razors are great for both men and women and are sustainable since they last so long. Some other great unique products by this company are their hydrating body gloss and bikini line mask to help soothe ingrown hairs.
This beauty company is known for nail colors that complement women of color’s different skin tones. Jacqueline Carrington is the founder and created various shade of nude for people of brown and black skin realizing there was a lack of these shades in the beauty industry. All of these nail lacquers are non toxic, vegan and cruelty free.
Founded by Abena Boamah-Acheamong as a clean beauty brand that uses sustainable sources to make Shea butter and pays double the fair-trade price to her overseas suppliers in Tamale, Ghana. Top products I recommend are the Exfoliating Bar and the Shea butter. Shea butter is such a great rich moisturizer to help with extra hydration and helps even out uneven skin tones.
Uoma Beauty (meaning“beautiful” in Igbo) is known for their award winning Say What?! Foundation that is available in 51 shades and has such a smooth finish. This foundation hydrates and smooths out pores, while still having a matte finish. The Double Take Contour Stick is a great highlighting and contour stick that comes in complementing shades and glides on smoothly thanks to an infused lychee fruit extract to keep skin hydrated.
Sharon Chuter is the founder of Uoma Beauty and started the campaign @pullupforchange to raise awareness around the lack of black employees in American corporations, especially in leadership positions. On this Instagram page, companies are revealing the percentage of black employees and in leadership positions. This campaign is to raise awareness and help the black community strive for better opportunities in corporate America.
Aba Gyepi-Garbrah is a certified aromatherapist and has created an amazing holistic skincare line with healing aromatic products. She also offers unique online classes on aromatics and wellness techniques. Some of her top products that I recommend are the beard grooming oil, which has such a refreshing scent and can also be used as a face oil. The Flower Crown skin oil is amazing as well, since it helps to clarify the skin and brighten uneven skin tone, calm redness and fade dark spots from acne.
