27 Black-Owned Makeup Brands Everyone Can Use to Create Gorgeous Beauty Looks

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The beauty industry hasn't always been inclusive of those with melanin-rich skin tones. Fortunately, there are many Black-owned makeup brands available today, that carry every shade of foundation and lip stain you can imagine—from the lightest to deepest hues.

“I’m a dark-skinned Black woman,” says Kierra Lanice Wray, celebrity and editorial makeup artist. “Growing up, I didn’t have foundation options that wouldn’t leave me looking ashy or would just not be right.”

Thankfully, there are many Black entrepreneurs who made it their mission to create a more inclusive beauty space for those with deeper skin tones. And that was the case for Kim Baker, owner of Glamazon Beauty. While her business is doing well, Baker says there are still gaps in the representation and promotion of Black-owned makeup brands. “I just want to be given an equal opportunity,” says Baker.

And of course, we have to mention beauty mogul Rihanna and how she changed the makeup game by challenging all the mainstream cosmetic brands to step up their efforts with shade inclusivity—by launching Fenty Beauty and dropping 40 different shades of foundation.

“As it pertains to Black-owned brands, I think it’s important that people support them, primarily because [Black-owned brands] are the solution to the problem,” says Wray. “And trying products created by those who know exactly what you’re going through is a major bonus,” adds Baker.

Ahead, get to know 27 of the best Black-owned makeup brands and some of their top products, from bronzers to the best blush for dark skin, there’s something here for everyone.

Range Beauty

CEO and founder Alicia Scott noticed the lack of shades available during photo shoots and runway shows throughout her fashion career and decided to create a solution. Not only did she develop cosmetics with a better shade range, but she also made formulas with skincare benefits. The brand’s hydrating foundation is the first of its kind that works for those who deal with skin conditions like eczema and acne.

The Lip Bar

The Lip Bar’s cruelty-free and vegan products offer bold shades of lipsticks, lip gloss, eyeshadows, and more. Founder Melissa Butler launched the brand from her own kitchen in 2012 to change the beauty industry’s lack of diversity, inclusion, and use of chemicals. Butler hopes to redefine traditional beauty standards so all women know they are beautiful. And we are obsessed with the Vegan Liquid Matte Lipsticks!

Compact Pressed Powder Blush

Sisters Mabel and Shaira Frías pitched their Luna Magic brand and shared their merchandising and retail beauty expertise during their Shark Tank appearance in 2021. After walking away with a deal from the show, their business is continuing to thrive with a range of affordable makeup offerings, like this powder blush, that reflects the vibrancy of their Caribbean and Latin American heritage.

Cake Batter Liquid Lipstick

After years of trying on lipsticks that didn't show up on her skin as marketed by beauty brands, Pound Cake co-founder and CEO Camille Bell decided to create a lipstick brand that addressed lip tone and skin tone for a flattering finish on melanated people. The brand's Cake Batter liquid lipstick comes in six shades of red and includes nourishing oils to heal chapped lips.

Nude Lip Augmentation Plumping Gloss

Founded by doctor Lola Rachel, Nubyén is rooted in celebrating women and enhancing the beauty they already possess with natural, hypoallergenic product ingredients. The UK-based brand's plumping gloss is a fan-favorite, thanks to the likes of vegan collagen and hyaluronic acid that give lips a fuller look.

Flour Setting Powder

Beauty Bakerie founder Cashmere Nicole puts a fun spin on makeup with her line of products, all inspired by sweets. Her bright and colorful cosmetics offer a wide variety of fun: like lollipop liner, cake pop lippies, and a flour setting powder to help you “bake” your face.

True Color Soft Velvet Finishing Powder

Global brand Black Opal has been in the makeup business for 25 years. The brand was one of the originals on a quest to make beauty and makeup more diverse. As Black Opal has evolved over the years, the brand offers more shades and products that work for various skin needs such as hyperpigmentation. Amazon reviewers love their True Color Soft Velvet Finishing Powder, which has a silky finish and works on all skin types.

True Complexion Creme Contour Palette

From transparent to bold colors, Black Radiance’s products were created with women of color in mind. The goal is to uplift and support the community by offering a diversity of products. The True Complexion Creme Contour Palette has even ranked in over 9,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. The brand also launched a My Shade Is Everything campaign to bring awareness to the gaps women of color experience in the makeup industry.

Buttercup Setting Powder

The brand Sacha cosmetics blew up when they released their iconic setting powder. It quickly became a top-rated translucent powder on the market for women of color thanks to its ability to prevent ashy tones and flashbacks. But don’t just take our word for it, check out the 3,800 rave reviews from happy customers on Amazon.

Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter

Rihanna’s cosmetic brand broke numerous records when it first launched. The brand’s first gift to the world was 40 different foundations, and today Fenty Beauty’s got everything including eyeshadows, cream blushes, lip glosses, and (our personal favorite), an array of shimmery highlighters—so you can shine bright like a diamond, anytime, anywhere!

Iconic Lipstick

Founded in 1973 by beauty and fashion entrepreneur, Eunice Johnson, Fashion Fair was the first international prestige cosmetics brand for darker skin tones sold globally in stores from Neiman Marcus to Printemps. Now available at Sephora, you can shop the brand’s iconic lipsticks, which are crafted with a rich satin formula that will never look too ashy or chalky. We love the bright red shade called Catfight!

Higher Standard Satin Matte Cream Blush

Makeup artist turned beauty business maven Tisha Thompson launched LYS beauty to provide women of color with all clean cosmetics. And she created products that address common skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and sensitive skin. Even better? Thompson works to be an inclusive brand all around including in her marketing representation and undertone shades. Check out the satin-matte cream blushes, which give the skin a natural flush look.

The Zulu Eyeshadow Palette

The makeup from Juvia’s Place was inspired by the richness and vibrancy of African beauty. “Their palette selection is very much curated to flatter every skin tone, but particularly pops on medium to deep skin, which is what most of my client range consists of,” says Alli, owner of TUL Cosmetics. “I love how vibrant Juvia’s Place’s Zulu Palette is for bright color stories on the face and eyes.”

Colorfix Eye, Cheek & Lip Cream Pigment

We love beauty products that work double duty and Danessa Myricks created essentials that are all multi-functional—and are able to work on various skin tones. One of the most popular items? The Colorfix 24-hour Cream, a unique hybrid cream that can be used on the lips, eyes, or face. It also comes in 20+ colors and dries down rapidly.

Mothership V Eyeshadow Palette

Pat McGrath is one of the world’s most influential makeup artists and she’s been painting the faces of high fashion models for over 25 years, so you can bet that her products are the real deal. The eyeshadow palettes are a must-have in any makeup routine and the Mothership V Eyeshadow Palette- Bronze Seduction even won a beauty award, thanks to its 10 rich and easy-to-use pigmented shades.

Beauty Revelation Brow Duo

Founded by Kim Roxie, LAMIK Beauty is a vegan makeup line made with safe, non-toxic ingredients for women with diverse skin tones. Their motto: Beauty is revealed, not applied. Customers also can’t get enough of the Revelation Brow Duo product, which has the perfect brow powder combination to sculpt, define, and fill in your eyebrows.

Sunkissed Bronzer

Bronzy skin is possible for even the deepest of skin tones thanks to Mented Cosmetics and their Sunkissed Bronzer. Initially, the brand was created to provide nude products for Black women’s skin tones but founders KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson now want women to be able to find products that work from lipsticks and blushes to eyeshadows.

Lip Shimmer

Iman Cosmetics was founded by legendary model Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid in 1994. The brand is praised for its wide range of affordable options catering to a variety of skin tones. You too can create a supermodel pout with the brand’s Lip Shimmer. It’s packed with moisturizing botanical ingredients.

Note Pad Mini Eyeshadow Palette

Founder Reynell Steward (Supa Cent) ’s viral company The Crayon Case has grown the brand into a creative and fun makeup experience. “Her products are easy to use and if you’re on her email list and there’s a sale, you’re in for a treat!” says Nyssa Green, Emmy award-winning makeup artist. The travel-friendly Note Pad Mini Eyeshadow Palette comes with purple hues and a mirror to make it easier to do makeup on the go.

Lip Gloss W/Vitamin C, E, Aloe Vera

Actress Vera Moore was painfully aware of the lack of products for women of color whenever she was getting her makeup done for various roles. Moore set out to change that for fellow actresses of color and everyday people. Vera Moore Cosmetics offers makeup and skincare products for both men and women. Among their best-selling products is the brands nourishing lip gloss formulated with vitamin C, E, and aloe vera.

Survivor Glitzstick

KA’OIR Cosmetics was founded by model, actress, and entrepreneur Keyshia Ka’oir. The brand offers vibrant eyeshadows, mega-shimmery lipsticks, and lashes to create head-turning looks. Her products are also all available at budget-friendly prices.

Creme Minerals Foundation Stick

Launched in 2011, Lake Louise paired her passion for social equity and expertise in makeup artistry to create Plain Jane Beauty. At the heart of Plain Jane Beauty is sustainability—all the makeup products are natural, non-toxic, and made with recyclable packaging.

Skin-Enhancing Tint

“Beauty created for us. By us. Because before, there was nothing out there that really saw us,” this is the brand’s statement on the site, and owner, Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye, accomplished exactly what she set out to do, which was to create a clean makeup brand specifically for women of color. The best selling product is a skin-enhancing tint, that works to amp up your natural complexion with a satin finish and soft glow.

Crème Foundation

After having a hard time finding cosmetics that were affordable and safe for her melanin-rich skin tone, Jasmine Rose became determined to create the perfect solution. She launched Laws of Nature Cosmetics back in 2015 with her first product, the Liquid Foundation, formulated with vitamin E. Since then, she has expanded the line to include eyeliners, mascaras, brow pomades, and more!

Ambiance Palette

Inspired by the childhood memories of her grandmother passing down her beauty routines, founder Niye Aniekan-Attang launched an all-inclusive, vibrant, and cruelty-free beauty brand. You’ll fall in love with the brand’s popular Ambiance palette, which features a bunch of warm, glimmery hues.

The Drive-In Liquid Matte LipStick Collection

American rapper Nas’ daughter, Destiny Jones, debuted her lip gloss line in 2014 at just 20 years old. The brand, which launched with four shades named after her father’s iconic debut album Illmatic, has since expanded to include liquid and matte lipsticks. The formulas are organic, and you can find anything from a sultry nude to a vibrant plum. If you buy one thing, make it the brand’s Lip Sets.

Style, Meet Substance Eye Shadow Palette

Founder Aishetu Fatima Dozie dreamed of creating a beloved makeup brand that cared about how women felt starting from the inside and then moving outward. So she launched Bossy Cosmetics, a beauty brand featuring various eyeshadow palettes, eyeliners, and lipsticks! Shop their best-selling eye shadow palette, which comes with a mix of matte, shimmer, and creamy long-lasting powders.

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