The Best Black-Owned Beauty Brands
BEST FOR: Make-Up & Beauty Tools
Pat McGrath
Pat McGrath is the world’s most influential make-up artist – she’s behind some of the most iconic beauty looks to ever grace the catwalk, so if anyone knows the secret to flawless skin, it’s Pat. This foundation comes in 36 shades and has been model-tested backstage to guarantee its long-lasting finish, while still looking and feeling like skin. Genius.
Visit PatMcGrath.com
Danessa Myricks
Danessa Myricks started out as a self-taught make-up artist, on a mission to create beauty looks and products for all races, ages and genders. The looks on her Instagram are stunning, and she’s probably best known for making skin look incredibly radiant. One of her standout products is the illuminating veil, which comes in various shades that can be layered or mixed into your foundation for the ultimate ‘lit from within’ glow.
Visit CultBeauty.co.uk
Delashed London
After struggling to find natural-looking false lashes, Denise Hanson set up Delashed London last year. The Pecan lashes are a firm favourite of mine, because they blend effortlessly with your own lashes, without overpowering your overall look. Plus, all her lashes are cruelty free, too.
Visit DelashedLondon.com
Emolyne Cosmetics
If you’ve ever found the perfect lipstick and wanted the perfect nail polish to complement it, you’ll love the concept behind Emolyne Cosmetics. Its edit of 30 lipsticks, lip liners and matching nail lacquers makes it super easy to create your own personalised make-up wardrobe – one which is specifically designed to suit your skin tone. It also has a fantastic shade matching tool to help you find the right products for you.
Visit Emolyne.com
Joy Adenuga
Make-up artist Joy Adenuga has her own line of brushes, lashes and a brush cleaner – all with quality and functionality in mind. All the brushes are designed to be multi-use and are 100% vegan, while the solid brush soap aims to make the mundane task of cleaning your make-up brushes that little bit easier. The scent it leaves behind is pretty addictive.
Visit ByJoyAdenuga.com
BEST FOR: Skincare & Wellness
Candour Beauty
Candour Beauty was founded by self-care devotees Jacqueline Kusamotu and Abi Lawrence-Adesida. The platform provides a carefully curated selection of beauty products targeted specifically at women of colour, so you can be sure you’re in safe hands with a product that will work for your individual skin tone.
Visit CandourBeauty.com
Antonia Burrell
Antonia Burrell is one of the UK’s leading skincare experts, while her effective skincare products are designed to treat a range of concerns using plant therapy technology. The natural glow cleansing oil is the star of the show, giving you the most thorough and luxurious cleanse, while removing impurities and even waterproof make-up.
Visit AntoniaBurrell.com
Bea Skincare
For women of colour especially, hyperpigmentation is a common concern. The Bea brightening serum contains a high concentration of AHAs to gently exfoliate the skin and treat stubborn areas of discolouration. This formula has won countless awards thanks to its quick, visible results.
Visit BeaSkincare.com
A Complexion Company
Born in South Africa, A Complexion Company founder Nomshado wanted to bring some of the beauty rituals and traditions from her culture to customers around the world. The organic African wellness powder is a high performance, multivitamin supplement that promises to help improve your skin, hair and nails – as well as your concentration levels and general mood.
Visit AComplexionCompany.com
BEST FOR: Bath & Body Care
Keys Soulcare
A dermatologist-developed skincare and wellness brand co-created by Alicia Keys, Keys Soulcare is one of those rare celebrity-launched skincare brands that offers quality products. The body and hand wash with manuka honey contains ingredients such as shea and cocoa butter to deeply nourish the skin for long lasting hydration, while all the products come with affirmations on the packaging to remind customers of the importance of self-care.
Visit KeysSoulcare.com
Soapsmith
Soapsmith founder Sam Jameson has created some of the most incredible bath and bodycare scents on the market. Fragrance is the focus on the brand, and the Bloomsbury bath soak is inspired by private gardens full of fresh roses, honeysuckle and peonies. Just add two to three scoops to your bath and let the scents transport you to a world of relaxation and calm.
Visit Soapsmith.com
Freya + Bailey
Freya + Bailey products are full of nutrients – plus, the scents are all designed to create an at-home spa experience. Use the firm body whisper kit for total body conditioning, as well as to cleanse, nourish and protect the skin, so it feels totally revived and rejuvenated.
Visit FreyaAndBailey.com
Liha Beauty
Liha Beauty pairs the rich botanical ingredients of west Africa with English aromatherapy. The Liah Idan oil is a non-sticky moisturising oil that can be used all over the body. It’s super nourishing on the skin, the scent if divine and your skin is left soft and glowing.
Visit LihaBeauty.com
BEST FOR: Black Haircare
Charlotte Mensah
Award-winning hairstylist, owner of the Hairlounge salon and founder of the Charlotte Mensah Manketti oil product range, Charlotte Mensah has created a collection of products designed to deliver moisture and shine to afro, mixed heritage and curly hair textures. The hair oil gives instant results from the first use and helps to condition the natural beauty of your hair.
Visit CharlotteMensah.com
Treasure Tress
Treasure Tress is Europe’s first and largest natural hair product discovery box. A subscription service that allows you to discover an exclusive selection of haircare products tailored to afro hair, the brand was founded by beauty entrepreneur Jamelia Donaldson to ensure anyone with black hair feels represented and accommodated in the beauty market.
Visit TreasureTress.co.uk
Imbue Curls
The Imbue Curl collection has been formulated with the support of afro hair veteran Michelle Sultan, who has tended to stars such as Alesha Dixon and Jennifer Hudson. The range strengthens and defines curls and coils, while the ultra-hydrating vegan moisture mask can be used as a pre-shampoo, leave in conditioner or as an overnight treatment.
Visit ImbueCurls.co.uk
Finally, some experts that specialise in treating black skin…
Dija Ayodele
Dija Ayodele is a well-respected aesthetician with a skin health-first approach. At her London clinic, Dija specialises in treating skin of colour and ensuring clients feel confident the treatments on offer are suitable for their complexions. The reset facial is our top pick for those looking to treat tired or stressed-out skin.
Visit WestRoomAesthetics.com
Bianca Estelle
Bianca Estelle is a Harley Street-trained skin specialist and founder of the award-winning product line Bea Skincare. Advanced skin treatments and cutting-edge technologies are what she’s known for, while her clinic remains a favourite among influencers and A-listers. The Aquagold facial uses 20 fine golden microneedles to channel essential vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids into the skin. The result? Renewed skin radiance and brightness.
Visit BiancaEstelleAesthetics.com
Dr Ejikeme
Dr Ejikeme is the founder and medical director of Adonia medical clinic, and comes highly recommended thanks to her extensive knowledge. Offering a range of peels that are safe enough to work on all skin types, including black skin, she can help you treat common concerns like hyperpigmentation and acne scarring.
Visit AdoniaMedicalClinic.co.uk
Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe
A medical and cosmetic doctor, as well as a clinical expert in skincare and non-surgical enhancement, Dr Ewoma Ukeleghe takes a refreshing and contemporary approach to beauty. As such she has a sizeable wait list for her treatments, especially the injectables, so be sure to get your name down if you want some time with her.
Visit SKNDoctor.co.uk
Doctor Amiee
Doctor Amiee is on a mission to make skincare and treatments accessible to everyone and, having conducted more than 12,000 procedures, it’s safe to say she really knows her stuff. An expert in treating black skin, Doctor Amiee also offers Profhilo – an injectable moisturiser that’s clinically proven to stimulate collagen and deliver a naturally refreshed appearance.
Visit DoctorAmiee.com
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