There was a time when it was nearly impossible for women of color to find makeup that truly matched their skin. Large cosmetics and beauty companies tried for decades to release products they claimed would work for women of all shades, but never quite hit the mark. Many women spent time in the mirror mixing various shades of foundation to achieve a look close enough to pass on as their own.
Thanks to the innovation and brilliance of women of color who decided to take matters into their own hands by developing inclusive makeup lines, we now have a variety of brands to choose from. And what better way to support our community than investing in Black-owned products that were designed just for us, rather than flocking to the local drug store or major retailer to use generic products.
Here are four Black-owned beauty brands who are impressing consumers with their variety of options.
Nyakio Beauty
Available for purchase at Target, Nyakio Beauty was created and founded by Kamoche Grieco. Inspired by visits to her grandmother in Kenya, she watched her grandmother’s beauty routine of using coffee beans to exfoliate and care for her skin.
Her brand is cruelty-free and vegan, with elements of her homeland and the farmers in her family. The line is infused with 13 ingredients from around the world to create skin protective products. Some products offered are moisturizers, exfoliates, and black soaps.
Uoma Beauty
Launched in 2018 by Nigerian beauty executive Sharon Chuter, Uoma Beauty includes 51 shades of foundation that focuses on inclusivity among women of color. Chuter created the line after growing tired of working for beauty companies that lacked diversity in their products.
Uoma means beautiful and is intended to celebrate the beauty of women of all shades. The brand has all you need to achieve a full beat face with products for the everyday woman’s eyes, lips, and face.
Mented Cosmetics
Mented Cosmetics is designed specifically for women of color after the founder, Amanda E. Johnson, found it difficult to find nude lipstick shades for darker skin tones.
The line started with nude lipsticks and liners before expanding to a full product offering that includes foundation sticks, eyeshadows, blushes, and even nail polish.
According to Allure, Skin by Mented is a fan favorite as it acts as a foundation, concealer, or contour.
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Danessa Myricks was a popular and self-taught makeup artist before launching her own line of products. It’s a fan favorite among makeup artists, as they can create simple looks with nude shades and soft glam or go full exotic with bright and metallic colors.
The line is versatile and most of the products have dual use for your lips, eyes, and cheeks. Many love that the products are infused with shimmer, glitter, and glow. You can opt to mix and blend colors to achieve a fully customizable look.
