40 Best Black Beauty Brands That Are Worth Supporting Now and Always
Improve your hair, skincare and makeup routine with effective products from these impressive companies.
Beauty is a loaded subject for Black women. If we're hunting for the perfect sunscreen, it can be a challenge to find an effective formula that doesn't leave an unsightly white cast behind. Lipstick? Where do I even begin? If your lips are two different tones like mine, you can find yourself resorting to lip balm on most days because the search for a flattering shade is so frustrating. And when it comes to hair? There's so much to consider, since our strands are beyond versatile. We can wear it curly one day, straight the next and in beautiful braids or a crochet look whenever the mood strikes. And if you're transitioning from relaxed to natural hair (Noël New York salon in Brooklyn guided me through this process years ago, by the way), picking the right products — lightweight, detangling formulas — is no easy feat.
While I certainly still experience my own share of beauty issues as a Black woman, many brands, both independent sellers and those available at mass retailers, have finally responded to our needs. It is good business sense, especially since Black women drive the beauty industry. One example: According to ESSENCE, in 2018 alone, the Black hair care business yielded approximately $2.51 billion. It's now much less challenging to discover makeup, hair, nail and skincare products that are crafted with Black women in mind. To put it simply, we’ve come a long, long way.
Regardless of whether you're eager to amp up your beauty arsenal with more diverse brands or simply crave a better self-care routine, this list of the best Black beauty brands is for you. Keep scrolling for a look at the top brands that thoughtfully address Black women's beauty needs.
TPH by Taraji
TPH by Taraji is all about healthy hair. Whether you love wearing your natural curls or sporting braids, actress Taraji P. Henson's haircare line has a product for you. Choose from a sugar-based scalp scrub, a clarifying shampoo that's loaded with ingredients like aloe and honey as well as a lightweight cream to help define your curls. The choice is yours!
Bread Beauty Supply
For Bread Beauty Supply, caring for your hair shouldn't feel like a chore. That's why the brand, which was founded by Australian native Maeva Heim, offers basics for textured hair. For instance, there's a $20 gentle hair wash that's cleverly packaged in a pouch, a $24 nourishing oil that the brand describes as being "like a lip gloss, but for your hair" and a $28 curl cream that manages to soften strands.
Buttah
Founded by model, actor and recording artist Dorion Renaud in 2018, Buttah focuses on you guessed it — combatting some of the common issues that affect melanin-rich skin. Buttah products are formulated to nourish dry skin, keep blemishes and discoloration at bay and control oiliness.
Yawoni
Yawoni's products — an all-purpose oil and a moisturizing body butter — are crafted with traditional African beauty ingredients (think aloe, shea butter and baobab seed oil). What's more, they're beautifully packaged, and the brand, which was founded by Diara Chukuigwe, has pledged to donate 1% of their sales to non-profits that are focused on addressing environmental issues.
BeautyStat
BeautyStat was created by cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, who worked for leading beauty brands like Clinique, L’Oreal and Revlon, before launching the skincare line in 2019. His very first product
is the Universal C Skin Refiner, which contains 20% stable and pure vitamin C. Another popular offering is the Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream that's packed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, bio-fermented bifidus and reishi mushroom extract to leave you with glowing skin.
Hanahana Beauty
Leave it to Hanahana Beauty, which prides itself on products made with all-natural ingredients, to keep your skin feeling baby-soft. Along with its cult-favorite shea butter that comes in scents like lemongrass and lavender vanilla, shop its exfoliating cleanser, body bar and powder face mask.
Vernon François
If you're obsessed with actress Lupita Nyong'o's hair, you'll love her stylist Vernon François's haircare line. The products range from $14 shampoos to an overnight treatment oil — all with a focus on making curly and afro hair textures look their best.
People of Color
This line of 10-free nail polish (meaning it's free from common toxins) celebrates dark skin tones of all shades. From colors in a variety of brown tones, there's a nail polish for everyone.
Nyakio
Nyakio Kamoche Grieco's introduction to the world of beauty began at just eight years old when her Kenyan grandmother taught her how to soothe skin with crushed coffee beans and a blend of oils. So it's no surprise that she'd come to launch the clean beauty brand, Nyakio, in 2002. The line features a selection of face oils with globally sourced ingredients that help to brighten and revive aging skin.
Unsun Cosmetics
Tired of hunting for clean sunscreen products that don't leave an unflattering ashy look behind? Unsun Cosmetics' range of face, body and hand creams addresses this.
Pattern Beauty
If there's one celebrity who is known for her well-defined curls, it's actress Tracee Ellis Ross. In September 2019, the star of ABC's Black-ish launched Pattern Beauty with 3B to 4C hair types in mind. The line includes shampoo, conditioner, and styling products.
Mented Cosmetics
Ask any Black woman about her favorite nude lipstick, and chances are she'll share how long it took her to land on the perfect shade. This pain point is exactly how Mented Cosmetics was born. Its founders, KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson, not only created non-toxic nude lipsticks for a range of skin tones—they also offer eyeshadow palettes, blush, and more.
curlBOX
The beauty of discovery is what drives curlBOX, a monthly subscription service that offers quality hair products at an affordable rate. What's more, its founder, Myleik Teele, hosts an informative podcast called My Taught You, where she shares her honest take on everything from personal finance to career advancement.
Beauty Bakerie
If you always fall for quality beauty products with creative packaging, Beauty Bakerie is for you. The brainchild of breast cancer survivor Cashmere Nicole, the brand's adorable, Instagram-worthy packaging is just as good as its beauty offerings. Consider its eyeshadow palettes, liquid lipsticks, lip scrub, and setting powder.
Redoux NYC
This skincare brand—created by two friends—checks all the right boxes: its products are vegan, handmade, and smell amazing. Try the Turmeric Botanical Bar that features an alluring fragrance of geranium, bergamot, ginger, and sandalwood.
Mielle Organics
Since 2014, Monique Rodriguez's Mielle Organics brand has been committed to supporting Black women on their healthy hair journey. Available at retailers like Target, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS, Mielle Organics' natural hair products include hits like Mint Almond Oil, White Peony Leave In Conditioner, and the Detangling Co-Wash.
Alaffia
It's no wonder why Alaffia snagged a 2019 Good Housekeeping Sustainability Award. Its Authentic African Black Soap, for instance, is a versatile option that can be used as a body wash, facial cleanser, or shaving aid. Plus, the brand prides itself on smart packaging. Along with relying on sustainable materials, including recycled plastic, you can find 32-ounce products that you're sure to have on hand for a reasonable amount of time.
Pat McGrath Labs
Pat McGrath is one of the most sought-after makeup artists in the world, so it's no surprise that her makeup line would strike a chord with beauty enthusiasts. Whether you're on the hunt for pigmented eyeshadows or lightweight matte lipsticks, Pat McGrath Labs has it all.
Black Girl Sunscreen
Any Black girl knows just how difficult it is to find a sunscreen that doesn't leave a gray or white cast all over your body. Thankfully, Black Girl Sunscreen came up with a solution. The brand's paraben-free formula moisturizes skin and keeps it protected from the sun.
The Lip Bar
Melissa Butler's vegan lipstick collection was rejected on "Shark Tank" in 2015, but that didn't stop her from taking her Lip Bar business to the next level. While the former Barclays analyst has a retail store in Detroit, you can also shop her line of bold, affordable lipsticks at Target.
Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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