Recently, I’ve been making a list of beauty products I want to try…my skin is tired and bored….and, quite frankly, so am I. With summer upon us, I thought it’d be the perfect excuse to try out some new makeup. Aren’t we supposed to be swapping out our usual stuff for something lighter, sheerer and more summery anyway?
So when the team decided to focus on the most intriguing makeup products from Black-owned brands this month, the lightbulb went off. This is exactly where I’ll start.
5 Gorg Black-Owned Makeup Brands That Are Bringing The Shine
When shopping, my thought processes these days usually involve a lot of overthinking and lists. Where am I buying from, who is my money supporting and what kind of impact does my purchase have? After examining my list and hearing the announcement for this month’s roundup, my questions were simplified: I’ll start with Black-owned beauty brands. Not only because my purchase will be better aligned with my values, but also because these products are seriously exciting (and often cleaner, and/or cruelty-free).
The team went ahead and picked out five Black-owned makeup brands we’ve been eyeing (or have already tried.) Heads-up: you may spend a greater amount of time than intended staring at these insanely good products. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya!
Beauty Bakerie / Fenty / The Lip Bar / Uoma Beauty / Pat McGrath
Beautie Bakerie
Nordstrom | Ulta | Selfridges
Beauty Bakerie’s cosmetics look amazing. Seriously gorgeous shadows, glosses, highlighters and more. The story behind the brand is what really drew me in, though. After the owner of Beauty Bakerie, Cashmere, won her battle with breast cancer, she became super conscious about the products we use on our bodies. With that, she created a cruelty-free makeup brand that became known as “activists in makeup.” They started initiatives such as Sugar Homes, supporting orphaned children. Claps all around.
Meredith’s Pick: Cotton Candy Champagne Blush Palette
Meredith says: The packaging on this cotton candy blush called is STUNNING. I’ve been in the market for a go-to blush and I love that this includes four to play with…blend multiple colors if you want!
Fenty Beauty
Oh, Fenty Beauty. You get me every time. Maybe it’s because Rihanna’s the brand creator and I’d probably give into anything she did (I stan), but I’ve heard crazy good things about both her beauty AND skincare products that are, yes — clean, vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free. (Kat dedicated a post on her obsession with the skincare.) I’ve personally been wanting to get my hands on her beauty line for ages so give me one excuse, guys, and I’ll add to cart!
Scotti’s Pick: Lil Gloss Bombs – Mini Lip Duo + Keychain Holder
Scotti says: I’m ready to start rocking lip color again, and Fenty lip glosses are some of the best! I love this convenient little duo with a keychain holder…in two universally flattering colors!
The Lip Bar
The Lip Bar is a vegan and cruelty free makeup brand I was first drawn to because of their complexion quiz. It helps you find the right shade of makeup for your skin tone (something SO tricky, especially when shopping online). You can even enter in existing foundations you use from other brands to find the exact right Lip Bar foundation. And of course, hence the name, we love their lip products.
Laura’s Pick: The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick
Laura says: Have and love this gorgeous color and love that packaging! So rad. This stays on so well and as someone who still has to wear lip color under my mask, I am thankful for that! ‘Unimpressed’ is a perfect pink for year-round: it’s deep, but still reads as a light pink without going into either bubblegum or hot pink territory.
Uoma Beauty
Uoma Beauty, pronounced OMA (uh-mah), and founded by self-proclaimed ‘weirdo in chief’ Sharon Chuter, says “We are an empowered tribe. Our race is human, our people are free, our language is color. All are welcome to our beautiful tribe.” Love. Besides their awesome message, their beauty products have me swooning. I can’t stop looking at their ‘glow up‘ – perfect for summer.
Amy’s Pick: Uoma Beauty Black Magic Carnival Bronzing Highlighter
Amy says: “It melts onto your skin like liquid light”…when I read that description, I was sold. I loveee bronzer, and this creamy formula sounds like everything my makeup kit is wanting — but the more I peruse the entire brand, the more I might want it ALL.
Pat McGrath
Sephora | Pat McGrath | Bergdorf Goodman | Selfridges | Net-A-Porter
Pat McGrath…I’m not even sure where to start. She’s only the biggest, most influential makeup artist EVER. I’m constantly shocked by her effortless talent AND her insanely good products. I mean…the Queen literally made her a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to the fashion and beauty industry. Everyone’s hooked. Five minutes on her site and you’ll be hooked, too.
Danielle’s Pick: Mothership VIII Eyeshadow Palette
Danielle says: I’ve been obsessed with Pat McGrath for awhile now…like cannot get over her IG videos and repeatedly watch them over and over type obsessed. The pigmentation of her eyeshadows has my jaw on the floor every. single. time. They look like they glide on effortlessly. I need to get my hands on this palette ASAP!
Are there any Black-owned beauty brands you guys think we should try out? Let us know!
-Danielle
Ps…this one’s for the Pinners:
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