Black-Owned Beauty Brands You Need to Know
This Black History Month, we are shining a spotlight on the best Black owned brands in the beauty industry. From household names that are reached for globally, to specialist brands that only those with the curliest hair have heard of, it is time to give these brands their flowers as they work to empower, and most importantly represent minorities who have been overlooked for far too long, both in the products that are sold and the people in charge of the companies themselves.
Gone are the days of brands having six foundation shades and zero representation for anything deeper than a medium skin tone. Good riddance to the days haircare shelves were stocked with non-specialist treatments that only benefit straight hair. Everyone is being welcomed into the beauty space, now more than ever before.
Read on to learn all about the best Black owned beauty brands that you need on your radar - and your wishlist.
Click here to discover our products for afro and textured hair.
Alternatively, click here to shop curly hair products.
Black Owned Makeup Brands
Pat McGrath Labs
Described as "the world’s most influential and in-demand makeup artist", the first makeup artist to be awarded a damehood, and the creator of over 60 fashion show looks annually, as well as creating every single Italian Vogue cover look for the last 20 years, Pat McGrath is a true titan of the beauty and fashion world. Remember the China doll makeup that took the internet by storm at the Maison Margiela runway? Pat McGrath did that.
Her brand, Pat McGrath Labs brings professional grade beauty to your basket. They continually break records, just like their founder, with sell-out drops and unique brand collabs. From the playful packaging that stands out on any shelf, to the impressive performance of the products themselves, Pat McGrath Labs is a Black owned beauty brand that simply could not be left off this list.
Click here to discover Pat McGrath Labs.
RRP: £36.00Current price: £25.20
£119.00
£40.00
£27.00
£50.00
£35.00
£30.00
UOMA
UOMA is a brand with something to say. Founder Sharon Chuter was a pioneer for Black voices in the beauty community. Playful, political, and powerful, she rooted her brand in her culture, from the Stay Woke concealer, to each shade of lipstick being named after an iconic Black person. During the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement, instead of posting a black square on Instagram, she created #PullUpOrShutUp, and gave brands 72 hours to disclose how many Black people were in their corporate and leadership roles.
Following her tragic and untimely passing earlier this year, Chuter is remembered for her fierce leadership and strong ambition, and can still be celebrated through her brand.
RRP: £21.00Current price: £16.80
RRP: £21.50Current price: £15.05
£23.50
£29.50
RRP: £23.50Current price: £18.80
Fenty Beauty
Talk about trailblazers. I, for one, will never forget the impact that Fenty Beauty had on the beauty industry. What many considered to be just "another celebrity brand", Fenty not only blew opinions out of the water, but shattered the way the makeup industry operated at the time. The initial launch of their Pro Filt'r foundation contained a huge 40 shades, showing that brands are able to launch with a fully-fledged shade range - inclusivity is a choice that they are able to make.
Since then, Fenty Beauty has continued on a strong trajectory, expanding into Fenty Skin and Fenty Hair. They are a true household name on their own accord, not just due to their founder.
Click here to shop Fenty Beauty.
£35.00
£19.00
£25.00
RRP: £23.00Current price: £18.40
£29.00
£25.00
Black Owned Haircare Brands
Camille Rose
Starting in her kitchen, Janell Stephens started concocting a collection of products designed to help cure her children's eczema. Their dry skin was leading to even drier hair, and with her ethos of "whatever goes on your body, should be good enough to go in it", she created blends of hair and skincare using food-grade ingredients. Three years later, the homemade brand became a multi-million dollar company, with countless retailers and customers leaning on Camille Rose to care for their wavy, coily, curly, or kinky hair.
Click here to shop Camille Rose.
£12.50
£10.99
£11.99
£15.99
£12.50
Bouclème
British, Black-owned, cruelty-free, and with 94% naturally derived ingredients, Bouclème was created when founder Michele Scott-Lynch couldn't find curl care products that suited her needs. She wanted to find effective, clean, natural products free from sulfates, silicones, alcohols, and parabens. Her brand now offers a complete haircare range, from cleansers and conditioners to deep treatments and styling products.
£17.00
£19.00
£17.00
£30.00
£29.00
£22.00
Cantu
Founded in 2003, Cantu is a haircare brand with a mission to provide moisture and styling options for any person with any hair type. As well as a diverse range of haircare formulated for a variety of hair textures, they also provide accessories to help protect and style textured hair. From parting combs to satin bonnets, leave-in treatments to shampoos, their products can be used on wigs, locs, waves, and coils.
£8.50
£9.00
£12.50
£8.50
£6.00
£8.50
£5.90
Briogeo
Founded by Nancy Twine, Briogeo is a clean, cruelty-free brand specialising in natural ingredients. They champion all hair types, and are working to break down the divide between textures by providing products that work for everyone. Free of sulphates, parabens, and artificial dyes, with 90-100% naturally derived ingredients, they address frizz, scalp health, and texture with a focus on effective yet natural products.
£25.00
£33.00
£20.00
£33.00
£30.00
£30.00
£15.00
Click here to discover our products for afro and textured hair.
Alternatively, click here to shop curly hair products.
Discovering makeup in the 2010's era of full glam was always going to lead me to beauty writing. A lover of pop culture and language, my content is always rooted in modern day trends. My beauty holy grails are the LANEIGE Lip Glowy Balms, L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, detox masks for my skin, and any hair product that promises to repair, hydrate, and strengthen!
