Inclusivity in the beauty industry has become the pinpoint for several cosmetics lines in the recent years. Having a variety of foundation colors for women of color is just as important when configuring a cosmetics line. You’d think that with countless beauty products, everyone would have representation, but unfortunately that has not been the case. Those one “deep” skin-tone foundations are no longer going to cut it, but luckily more and more black women are making it their business to create products for all women of color. Black owned business owners are no longer asking for a seat at the table—they’re creating one!
Let’s get into the women behind these beats. Below is a list of seven black business owners that are killing the beauty and cosmetics industry.
- Rihanna, Fenty Beauty
Founded in 2017 by singer, songwriter, actress, and fashion designer, Rihanna Fenty, Fenty Beauty has since then broken the internet. Fenty Beauty’s mission “Beauty for All” is centered around inclusivity, with over 40 shades of foundation, highlighters, contour stix, lip gloss, blush and other products, the release of this brand has been nothing but extraordinary and just what every black woman needs in their makeup bag. Check out all things Fenty Beauty at, https://www.fentybeauty.com/.
2. Cashmere Nicole, Beauty Bakerie Cosmetics
Beauty Bakerie Cosmetics founder, Cashmere Nicole pursued her lifetime passion of owning a beauty brand after becoming a young mother at 16 and battling cancer at the age of 27. Founded in 2011, Beauty Bakerie provides smudge-proof, long-wear, lip colors, eye shadow palettes, highlighters, setting powders concealers that range in shades, as well as several other products. Nicole is an advocate for celebrating all things black-owned beauty, and believes that all black-owned beauty businesses can win together. For more Beauty Bakerie products, https://www.beautybakerie.com/.
3. K.J Miller & Amanda E. Johnson, Mented Cosmetics
Until the creation of Mented, there wasn’t a cosmetics line that represented every skin-tone’s perfect nude shade. Founders K.J. Miller and Amanda E. Johnson launched Mented in 2017 as a brand that provided women of color with more beauty options. Nude isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ shade, and both Miller and Johnson wanted to find a way to complement all deep skin tones with their perfect nude shade of lipstick. The brand consists of a variety of nude lip products and eye shadow palettes that are tailored for any woman of color. For a closer look at Mented’s products, https://www.mentedcosmetics.com/.
4. Iman, Iman Cosmetics
Iman Cosmetics was founded in 1994 by supermodel and beauty icon, Iman. This beauty brand pioneered the way for many of the black-owned beauty brands we know and use today. With women of color specifically in mind, Iman’s idea branched from her modeling career when she was continuously asked, “did you bring your own foundation?” No longer wanting to be asked that question and deeming it as unacceptable, Iman Cosmetics emerged. Iman Cosmetics was also the first beauty brand to create bronzers for women of color, as well as the implementation of SPF into products. Check out Iman Cosmetics at, https://imancosmetics.com/.
5. Katonya Breaux(Frank Ocean’s mother), Unsun Cosmetics
Frank Ocean isn’t the only mastermind in his home—Katonya Breaux (Frank Ocean’s mother) is the brains behind the brand Unsun Cosmetics—a skincare and beauty brand tailored for all women of color. Breaux noticed that many brands did not have sunscreen options for people of color, so she took matters into her own hands and created a solution to combatting the chalky, white residue sunscreen left behind on darker skin complexions. Unsun Cosmetics products are mineral-based with women of color in mind. Shop for Unsun Cosmetics at, https://www.unsuncosmetics.com/.
6. Keyshia Ka’Oir, Ka’Oir Cosmetics
Keyshia Ka’Oir’s, Ka’Oir Cosmetics is all things glitter, glitz, and glam. Founded in 2011, the brand is best known for its expansive lipsticks, which include a variety of bright colored shades that are both bold and pleasing to all beauty lovers. Ka’Oir Cosmetics includes eye shadow and blush palettes, glitzsticks, matte liquid lipstick, eyelashes, and wet-paint lipsticks which all come in a variety of shades and colors. Shop with Ka’Oir Cosmetics at, https://kaoir.com/.
7. Chichi Eburu, Juvia’s Place
Founded by Nigerian-born Chichi Eburu, Juvia’s Place offers a variety of makeup inspired by African culture and art. The brand creates rich, vibrant, and highly pigmented colors of makeup products that provide beauty enthusiasts with an affordable collection of eye shadows, makeup tools and beauty essentials. Juvia’s Place provides its consumers the most balanced, rich and luscious colors with ultimate wearability. To purchase Juvia’s Place products, visit https://www.juviasplace.com/.
