Black culture is the beacon of American society. For decades, Black culture has undoubtedly continued to set trends and influence creators all over the world in their designs and ideas. Just take a look at instagram. Influencers have transformed their bodies to take on the shape of those born with natural curves. Hairstyles such as the afro, tight curls, and laid edges have taken full swing. And nails have reached lengths longer than you can imagine. All of these trends derive from the aesthetic of the Black woman. An unapologetic aesthetic that will continue to defy the standards of beauty held by those who remain inside the box. Today, and everyday forward, let’s celebrate, support, and be conscious of all that the Black community has to offer the world. I’ve put together a list below of some of my favorite and also some new brands that deserve our love. I’ve highlighted a product from each brand and included some information about the brand’s mission and philosophy. Let’s honor the Black community for their contributions and give them the support they deserve, now and always.
Loving Culture
When life gives you lemons, what do you do? You take everything you know about health and natural beauty and you make an amazing hair oil! That’s exactly what Loving Culture founder, Mary-Andree Ardouin-Guerrier, did when life threw her a few sour lemons. Her transition to a more natural and holistic lifestyle, along with her graduate school education in health has allowed her to create a product that is elegantly crafted, invigorating, transformative, and versatile. Her Revitalizing Hair Oil is packed with nutrients such as Vitamins B, C, E, and omega-3 fatty acids which help to moisturize, promote healthy hair growth and elasticity, and prevent damage against heat and chemicals. Obviously, a must-have!
Beneath Your Mask
Beneath Your Mask founder, Dana, shares a truly inspiring narrative of her battle against Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a condition known for the body attacking it’s own cells. Dana describes her journey as taking control of her own life and removing the mask of fear that once held her back. Her line of products is a result of undoing the damage caused by her condition and regaining her natural beauty. Each product is crafted with high quality ingredients, specially sourced from over 25 countries. If you’re also suffering from conditions that attack the skin, this a great brand to try out because the products are designed to be safe, non-irritating, non-toxic and does not challenge the immune system, all while maintaining the potency and effectiveness of each ingredient. Her products are extremely popular, which means they sell out very fast!
Luv Scrub
Honestly, this product is as straight forward as it can get. It’s a mesh body sponge. For the shower. From Ghana. BUT….it’s not just any mesh body sponge. It’s long-lasting and increases in size so you can get to all the hard to reach areas. The textured surface of the sponge helps to clean and exfoliate the skin, leaving an ultra smooth finish. Each scrub is made individually, by hand. Not to mention that this is the only product sold by this brand, which makes me feel that much more confident that it’s truly one of a kind!
Pholk Beauty
Taking a deep dive into the African diaspora’s healing and herbalist traditions, Pholk Beauty creates products that are packed with natural and enriching ingredients derived from all around the world. Founder, Niambi emphasizes the unity of a conscious lifestyle and skin needs, while celebrating women of color as innovators of culture. The featured product of this brand is their Rose Gardenia SkinNectar. Fortified with ingredients like Vitamins E and C, antioxidants, and Omegas 3 and 6, the SkinNectar addresses issues like hyperpigmentation, sunspots, and dry skin, leaving you with a youthful glow. It’s practically magic in a bottle!
Gilded
Who says skincare has to stop at the face? Definitely not Gilded. This brand emphasizes the obvious, but often forgotten fact that our face is only about 5-10% of our total skin surface area. That leaves a whole lot of unnourished skin. Gilded is a skincare brand that provides high quality skincare for our most neglected areas. Not only that, they provide indulgence in their products with the addition of gold-leaf, which for centuries has been used in cosmetics, art, and science. Highlighted above is their Brightening Body Polish and Supreme Body Balm, formulated to gently exfoliate away dead skin cells and provide a nourishing layer of hydration for the most flawless and softest skin. I already feel like a queen!
Dehiya Beauty
If you’re looking for a brand that highlights strong and powerful womanhood, look no further. Inspired by a historical figure, Dehiya Beauty takes us back to class with a lesson on Queen Dehiya from the 8th century. Queen Dehiya was a powerful, fearless, North African female warrior who ruled an Amazigh (free) state and led her people in the resistance against colonization. Til’ this day, she remains an inspiration to woman in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. It’s this empowering womanhood that has led Dehiya Beauty Founder, Dr. Mia Chae Reddy, to create a brand that is holistic in nature, while emphasizing the resiliency of feminism. Highlighted above is one of my favorite skin care tools of all time, the Warrior Stone. A gua sha tool known as the “Eastern Face Lift”, which combats signs of aging, such as fine lines and sagging. It’s a must have in anyone’s vanity and makes me feel like a true queen.
Epara Skincare
Let’s talk luxury. Derived from the Nigerian word, which means “to cocoon oneself”, Epara is a brand that caters to the unique issues affecting women of color. Brand founder and CEO, Ozohu Adoh, struggled with finding the right products for her African skin, so she set out to find the most organic ingredients from Africa that were best suited for her skin. From the brand themselves, “Epara is a line of high quality, scientifically-proven products derived from the rich soils of Africa that will wrap you in an all-natural luxury. Epara repairs and pampers, leaving skin moisturised and hydrated.” With truly indulgent products, Epara not only addresses skin concerns that many women of color face, but they provide a wonderful and luxurious feeling to any skincare routine!
Bevel
Alright, this one is for my men out there. Yes, you should take care of your skin too! In fact, men are more likely to experience acne in their 20’s and 30’s than their female counterparts, according to clevelandclinic.org. It’s no joke that the skincare community has left the male gender behind, however in the last few years, I’ve seen many brands exploring the need of more gender inclusive products. Bevel, a skincare brand, specifically tailored to men of color, provides products that address many of the skin concerns that men face everyday, such as razor bumps, irritation, and acne. Highlighted above is an all around skincare kit that includes everything you need to maintain healthy, hydrated, and acne free skin. Also, how cute would a couple’s skincare session be?
Undefined Beauty
No parabens. No phthalates. No silicones. No sulfates. No artificial dyes. No synthetic fragrances. No triclosan. No Triclocarban. No mineral oil. No palm oil. No petroleum. Non-toxic. Cruelty free. Vegan. Eco-friendly. Sustainably sourced. No BS. Need I say more? Undefined Beauty is ahead of the game with their environmentally conscious and holistic products including their Glow Bar CBD Oil Cleanser, pictured above. Cold pressed, hand cut, creamy, and gentle enough for sensitive skin, the Glow Bar can be used as a facial cleanser, body wash, shampoo, or even a shave bar. Not only that, it smells AMAZING! What are you waiting for?
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