Diversity in the beauty industry has made great strides in recent years.
Thanks to trailblazers like Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty and Sharon Chuter’s Uoma Beauty, things have changed for the better, and we’re no longer stuck with limited choices when it comes to navigating products such as complexion shades. Not only are there more inclusive makeup options, but it’s exciting to see an expansion of Black-founded skincare and haircare selections too.
We’ve rounded up seven hidden gems that are also making waves in the beauty industry today. They offer everything from clean skincare and eco-friendly fragrances to dermatologist-approved makeup and meaningful advocacy for the underrepresented. They are revolutionizing and setting a new standard in beauty.
Moodeaux
Founded in 2021 by Brianna Arps, MOODEAUX makes earth-friendly fragrances that connect scent, emotion, and memory for a truly sensorial experience. They are the first Black-owned fragrance brand to hit shelves at Credo Beauty, and their debut scent, Worthy, is all about positive affirmations and self-love. You can find their sample fragrances and layering bundles online or in-store.
Liha
Created by Liha Okunniwa and Abi Oyepitan, long-time college friends, this UK-based skincare brand combines their cultures to bring you top-notch products. LIHA is rooted in minimalism and slow beauty, and you can see it in everything they do. From the natural ingredients like tuberose flower essence and shea butter to the sustainable packaging, they truly care about every detail.
Range Beauty
Range Beauty is changing the game when it comes to foundation and skin concerns like eczema. No longer do you have to take a makeup break when you have an eczema flare-up on your face, especially if you have melanin-rich skin tones because their formulas are infused with natural botanicals that soothe and relieve irritation. They also meet the standards set by The National Eczema Association.
Another reason why Range Beauty stands out is its commitment to inclusivity. Their foundations and face products come in a diverse shade range, so everyone can find their perfect match.
Holy Curls
Badria Ahmed created the London-based hair care brand Holy Curls to embrace her own natural curls and challenge negative perceptions of textured hair. She wanted to celebrate the individuality of every curl, so she developed a complete range of products, like a super-hydrating conditioner, mask, shampoo and gel—basically, everything you need for a fantastic wash day!
Here’s the best part: all of these products are made with natural ingredients.
Glosshood
One quick look at Glosshood’s Instagram feed and you’ll easily understand their fun and vibrant vibe. Sienna Brown, the mastermind behind the brand, is committed to embracing your inner child and celebrating your uniqueness and confidence.
Even though the company only has two products, the Holyyy Gloss Balm Hybrid and Main Squeeze Ultra Juicy Lip Gloss, both are total must-haves that has the beauty community buzzing. They’re made with a blend of gloss and balm that gives you intense hydration and a gorgeous shine without feeling sticky. They’re also made with eight organic ingredients that include coconut oil, jojoba seed oil and castor seed oil.
OUI the People
Karen Young launched Oui the People (formerly Oui Shave) in 2017. Since then, the company has grown from just offering a single-blade razor to a full line of body care products.
Unlike other brands that make clichéd claims about giving you “perfect”, “flawless” or “anti-aging” results, Oui the People focuses on delivering high-performance body care that makes you feel beautiful just as you are. According to Karen, beauty is about feeling good in your own skin and not trying to please everyone. She believes that we hold the power to define our own beauty.
Thank God It’s Natural
If you’ve ever stepped foot into Target, Ulta, or even Whole Foods, chances are you’ve come across Thank God It’s Natural (tgin) hair products. tgin has been leading the way in natural hair care since 2009, and their products can be found all across the country. What distinguishes them from the rest of the pack is their commitment to accessibility and the fact that their products actually work on a wide range of hair types and textures.
But tgin is about more than just hair care. CEO Aris Singleton and COO Dr. Piper A. Farrell have made it their mission to unite and uplift women. They’ve used their platform to create the tgin Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports uninsured women undergoing breast cancer treatment and advocates for women facing financial difficulties. They tirelessly shine a spotlight on health disparities due to race and socioeconomic factors and emphasize the importance of early detection for women under 40.
