In the Instagram age, it seems like we can’t go on social media without running into a new makeup trend or hairstyle. It is easy to shop mainstream brands for those products but let’s face it, some of those brands tend to lack creativity and originality. We are living in an era full of self-starters and progressive innovators especially when it comes to the beauty industry. Therefore, there is not really much of an excuse to shop mainstream when there is a large variety of businesses who merchandise their more innovative products at the same prices if not less. The latest surge of diversity in our beauty industries is a beautiful thing to watch come about.
It is nice to see representation in the fashion industry as it inspires our girls and boys of tomorrow to know that they are capable of being their own bosses and to be reminded that there is a place for them that has traditionally told them there isn’t. The only way to keep the surge progressing is to support the artist who traditionally not been given exposure and to make their successes the new norm. With this being said; here are 5 small makeup brands that all have a creative niche to them. The best part about them is that they all are black girl owned; because we can’t forget to give recognition to our black girl bosses out there!
1. Ayele & Co
Instagram: @ayeleandco Website: ayele.co
In college, Danielle Bahi began Bahi Cosmetics when she realized that black women were put into the same category by all beauty brands. She decided to create a brand that would meet the needs of all skin tones. Since then her brand which was renamed to Ayele and Company has become an effective skin care brand along with the selling of natural-based makeup products. Several customers can attest to positive changes in the health of their skin post usage of her serums, cleansers lotions, and more. Adding on to this, customers love the makeup products because it doesn’t cause any harm or breakouts to the skin like traditional makeup product brands might. All products are paraben free and vegan and set out at contributing to helping all customers live a healthy life while also feeling and looking beautiful.
2. Cimply Cosmetics
Instagram: @cimplycosmetics Website: www.cimplycosmetics.com
Ciarra Janelle is the owner and founder of Cimply Cosmetics. This Detroit based girl boss began Cimply Cosmetics when “as a brown beauty” she realized that finding simple everyday products such as a nude lip, lip gloss, or even a pigmented highlight came as a struggle to her because of her darker skin tone. She created the brand to tailor to girls of all skin tones, ethnic backgrounds, skin types, style preferences, and more. The mission of the company is to help customers “keep it cute without doing the most.” Janelle and her team built the brand with the firm belief that makeup can be worn to enhance one’s natural features, which is the mindset that all products are designed around. With a mission like this, this is the perfect brand to raise girls of all ages on who are learning the importance of their natural beauty and are learning how to use makeup as a tool to enhance their natural beauty, not conceal it.
3. Elfrieda A. Beauty
Instagram: @elfriedaabeauty Website: elfriedaa.com
Elfrieda A. is the face behind Elfrieda A. Beauty. She is a 20-year-old makeup artist based out of Delaware. Her brand began with her makeup artistry services while she was still in high school. She became known and continues to be known for her signature “glowy look.” Today her brand has grown into a lash business where she personally designs and sells high-quality 3D mink eyelashes for no more than $15 each! Elfrieda A. plans to continue to grow this brand with a larger variety of high quality yet affordable products for her customers to choose from as time goes on. Don’t be surprised if her products become your go to’s one day!
4. Koyvoca Cosmetics
Instagram: koyvocacosmetics Website:Koyvoca.com
Before creating her brand, Courtney Coates realized that there was a lack of makeup products catered towards women of darker skin complexions. She was ultimately inspired to create the brand Koyvoca after watching a woman use purple eyeshadow to contour her face. She launched the brand in 2016 with only two shades of contour. As her brand has grown and become more popular, she has released more and more shades of contour. In fact, her deepest contour shade is one of the deepest contour shade on the market out of the few that are available! Her range of products has also extended over to lip products, eye products, and an extensive range of foundation shades, and more. Each product is exclusively made from scratch at order, is hand made, and is not tested on animals.
5. Vera Moore Cosmetics
Instagram: veramoorecos Website: veramoorecosmetics.com
Vera Moore is a former actor turned entrepreneur. Before starting her brand you could probably catch her on the NBC soap opera “Another World.” While working on the show she realized that there was a void for high-quality products for black women, especially foundations which looked natural or didn’t rub off on clothes. Today her line has expanded as a skincare line and can also be found in stores such as Duane Reade and Walgreens. In fact, several tv shows including the Wendy Williams show use her products on set!
