By Nicollette Samuels
Since the surge of protests and support of the Black Lives Matter movement were sparked by the untimely death of George Floyd early this year, many are starting to realize the importance of supporting businesses owned by people of color. Social media beauty influencers like Jackie Aina, Alissa Ashley, and Alyssa Forever have been at the forefront in supporting and creating social media challenges that inspire people to be mindful of where they are spending their money and who that money is going to.
Challenges like #PullUpOrShutUp, created by Sharon Chuter, owner of UOMA Beauty, encouraging customers not to shop at their favorite brands for 72 hours until they released the number of black employees that they have in their organizations at a corporate level and in leadership positions. The #BOMBChallenge, which stands for black owned makeup brands, is another challenge created by Alyssa Forever and Alissa Ashley back in 2016 which advocates for the financial investment in the black community by only using makeup from smaller black owned brands in their makeup tutorials on YouTube.
In today’s sociopolitical climate, it is important that we support people of color in their time of need. There are many ways to support the black community, but putting your money where your mouth is is one of the best ways to do so, because it not only encourages generational wealth, it can also create a chain reaction of new opportunities for black people.
Here is a list of Black owned beauty brands to support, ranging from hair, makeup, skincare, and body.
HAIR
An innovative and re-imagined version of the rain hat. Lined with satin, is 100% waterproof, and a visor, it is the perfect hat to protect hair form the elements. Founded and invented by Tracey Pickett.
An online store that sells head wraps in different textures, colors and patterns. This brand embraces African culture and encourages others to do the same.
“Culturally inclusive lifestyle brand featuring Sophisticated Head Wears and Robes. Inspired by African Queens.”
Handmade hair accessories company that sells satin bonnets, headbands, hair ties, hats, etc.
Popular for their beautifully designed hair styling tools that come in many patterns. They now also sell hair accessories, haircare, and skincare.
A chic, new hair accessories brand by Akilah inspired by the latest hair accessory trends.
CEO/founder of Camille Rose, Janell Stephens wanted to create a natural hair care line without all the harsh chemicals that was in most popular brands on the market. Her line includes hair butters, cleansing milks, protein treatments, hair gels, etc.
After founder Nancy Twine moved to New York City, she quickly realized that natural hair care on the market did not live up to their claims. Briogeo is a clean, transparent, diverse and inspired hair care brand.
“Melanin Haircare focuses on high-quality, natural ingredients with the addition of meticulously chosen safe-synthetic ingredients in order to ensure our products are shelf stable and to elevate their performance.” Founded by sisters Whitney and Taffeta White.
Founded by a woman with the moniker Green Beauty who is very passionate about natural hair and its uniqueness. She displays her enthusiasm for the subject through her YouTube channel of the same name, where she shares the science behind hair and how to properly take care of it.
Inahsi’s philosophy is “You without compromise,” meaning that their mission is to make excellent hair products with natural ingredients, allowing you to embrace your natural hair, not matter the texture. Inahsi Naturals products was created specifically for naturally curly hair to add and maintain moisture, control frizz, detangle and improve manageability. They use ingredients that promote length retention and prevent breakage, and promote overall healthy hair.
Thank God It’s Natural (TGIN) believes in the healing powers of nature. CEO and founder of TGIN, Chris-Tia Donaldson, is a manufacturer of natural hair and skin care products.
“CURLS was founded by Mahisha Dellinger, a former Marketing Manager at a Fortune 500 Company. Disenchanted with the lack of natural hair products with quality ingredients and dependability, Mahisha sought to create a new brand that resonates with women like her.
“Soultanicals is an earthy, self-love collection of hand-crafted, soul-infused, melanin-inspired, body/hair love products made with a unique blend of organic, plant-based, herbal, and African botanical ingredients.”
Taliah Waajid products were formulated for consumers that chose not to use chemicals on their hair. The brand now offers 4 collections of healthy hair product lines that range from Natural Hair Care, Curly Hair Care, Protective Styling and Children’s Hair Care. In 2018, she launched her men’s line, Uncle Jimmy Products, which is named after her favorite uncle.”
Created for ALL hair types, this brand believes that beauty evolves from the inside out and are committed to assisting their customers overcome their hair care challenges.
Design Essentials launched in 1990 by Cornell McBride, president and CEO of McBride Research Laboratories, Inc. He wanted to provide premium, quality hair care products while educating on how to effectively use them in the salon and at home.
Alikay Naturals is a beauty & lifestyle brand created by Rochelle Alikay Graham-Campbell, who also coined the L.O.C. method, a method of keeping natural hair moisturized. She claims to have the best ingredients and promises customers to never compromise the quality of their award-winning products.
A natural and organic UK hair brand that is considerate of their customers, making sure that their products are free of any common allergens. This brand is perfect for people with sensitive scalp and skin. They offer an array of products that feature an “Under The Wig Set,” to make sure your hair stays healthy underneath protective styles. They are also vegan and cruelty free.
Stylish human hair wigs by influencer Nyané Lebajoa. These wigs come in some of the most amazing styles and colors that have ever been seen before.
Popular human hair lace front wig company to the stars! This brand has garnered the likes of Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, The City Girls, Cardi B, and some of your favorite influencers.
