Let’s give a huge shout out to those black women owned beauty brands!!!!
There are some amazing black women owned beauty brands getting a lot of attention these days. Some of these brands have national attention and others have a smaller following but are accomplished in their own right.
African Americans spend 1.1 billion dollars annually on hair and beauty products. It only makes sense that we support those quality companies that make products for us and are made by us.
Black Women Owned Beauty Brands
I am going to focus on four black women owned beauty products. One that is included is one I have just heard about literally a few days ago, (Mented). The next company is one pretty much everyone knows, Fenty, which is owned by Rihanna.
Another company that deserves recognition is Princess M. Cosmetics founded by a young 17 year old entrepreneur named Madison Poole whom I somehow discovered on Facebook. Get this! She started this company when she was just 13 years old!!!!!
Last but not least is my first introduction to great skincare and make by Atlanta’s own Vonetta Williams of Vonetta Cosmetics.
The History of Black Women Owned Beauty Brands in America
Black women owned beauty brands in America has a very interesting history. African-American women entrepreneurs date back to the likes of Madam CJ Walker, Sarah Spencer Washington, and Annie Turnbo Malone. These pioneers mostly focused on hair care. However, they started a wave of Black women making products to benefit other Black women.
Interestingly enough, a white man, Morton Neumann, was one of the first people to create a make up line for black women. His make up line promised to give “tan and dark complexions a BRIGHTER attractive beauty that everybody admires.” See Before Fenty.
I don’t know about any one else but I like my tan color. I used to wish I was darker but I’m going to love the skin I am in.
Thankfully African-American women of all shades are increasingly loving our skin no matter the complexion. Black women have said enough of making us feel like we are not pretty black girls. Fortunately, there are women who are creating some amazing make up lines for us even in bold colors that really look GREAT on us!!!
MENTED COSMETICS
I did not know about Mented Cosmetics until recently. I don’t wear a lot of make up so I am not in the know sadly. I found out about Mented through eavesdropping on a conversation between two women who are of different hues but can wear the same nude lipstick.
Since my daughter is really good with applying make up and loves to try out different products, it sparked my interest and curiosity. I am not that adventurous and will do my basic foundation and lipstick. But a nude lipstick? Do tell!
I have tried some lipsticks in order to give me a different look but only turned out looking like a clown. According to the Mented Cosmetics website, I am a medium deep complexion. Mented Cosmetics categorizes skin colors in the following hues: Light, Medium, Medium Deep (MEEEEE) , and Deep.
KJ Miller and Amanda Johnson founded Mented Cosmetics in March 2017. They are both Harvard University graduates who couldn’t find the perfect nude colored lipstick so they started watching Youtube channels to create one. All lipsticks are vegan, paraben free, non toxic, cruelty free and made in the United States.
Their lip shades are Brand Nude, Pope Taupe, Peach Please, Mented #5, Brown Bare and Nude La La. The lipsticks cost $16.50 each.
Mented Cosmetics also features a Rapid Exchange Program which allows customers who purchase three items or less to keep the unwanted products and just pay for shipping for the new products.
Fenty by Rihanna
Rihanna and her Fenty line were LITERALLY a gift from God for us Black women. Even me, who doesn’t really wear make up, can admit that I was excited about Fenty because of the diversity of the product line and how it even had options for darker women.
Fenty was launched on September 8, 2017, and recorded $72.0 million in earned media value in its first month. See Wikipedia article.
The company sells a variety of products including a high lighter ($34); eye shadow ($59); liquid eyeliner ($22); and a foundation called Pro Filt’r (this is what I use when I wear make up). The Pro Filt’r really smooths my skin tone out. I know I look amazing with it on.
The Pro Filt’r has 40 different colors. I LOVE IT!!!
Smaller Black Women Owned Beauty Brands
Princess M. Cosmetics
It’s not just women who are getting into the beauty market. I somehow came across a young lady (17 years old) named Madison Poole. Ms. Poole founded Princess M. Cosmetics. when she was 13 years old. I started following her because of her finger nail polish line but she also carries lipstick, lip gloss, matte lipstick, 3D mink lashes and highlighters.
Princess M. Cosmetics’ products are vegan, and paraben and cruelty free.
Her website is www.princessmcosmetics.com and first time buyers can get a 20% discount by using the code BEAUTY.
PLEASE support this young lady! She is a true millionaire in the making.
Vonetta Cosmetics
Last but not least is Vonetta Cosmetics by Vonetta Williams. I was introduced to Vonetta Cosmetics, a black women owned beauty brand, before I moved to Atlanta almost 10 years ago. Her make up was the first make up product I used that didn’t make me look ashy and did not cause me to break out.
Ms. Williams graduated from the University of California at Berkley with a degree in applied mathematics with an application in statistics. After being dissatisfied with the corporate life she enrolled in cosmetology school. She has spent the last 20 years formulating her own products.
Vonetta Cosmetics also focuses on the health and beauty of your skin. Not only does Ms. Williams produce mineral make up, she also has oil and acne bars, moisturizer, oil and acne bars.
There are clearly more companies out there that cater to African-American women consumers. However, I wanted to focus on these four amazing companies. Please take a closer look and support.
Lastly, I am receiving NO compensation for writing this blog. I am impressed by what I have heard, seen and experienced regarding the make up of the four companies listed.