We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and itspublishingpartners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
It's time to revamp your beauty routine with a few of these gems.
1. Ami Colé is a clean beauty brand founded by Diarrha N’Diaye. With the goal to fill a void in the beauty industry (one that specifically caters to women of color), Ami Colé has created favorites such as Skin-Enhancing Tint, Light-Catching Highlighter, and a color-tinted Lip Treatment Oil.
Ami Colé
Ami Colé is a brand "inspired by Senegal, born in Harlem, NYC" as their website proudly proclaims. With product tones and colors that compliment those with melanated skin, they provide high quality, clean beauty to an often ignored audience.
Available at: Ami Colé, Goop, Thirteen Lune, Net-A-Porter
Pricing: $19+
Promising review (for Skin-Enhancing Tint): "I don’t like the heaviness of foundation and appreciate the light/natural feeling of a tinted moisturizer so I’ve pretty much experimented with all the different tinted moisturizers out on the market and I can easily say AMI COLE IS IT!!!! I genuinely don’t think anything comes close to this formula that really feels like my skin!!! I don’t feel it on, it’s lightweight, natural and feels so hydrating. I’ve got tons of compliments about my skin glowing, and people often wonder if I have something on and that’s with two or three pumps across my face. If you need more coverage you can add on as described on the packaging, but I like a minimal natural look...The shade range is amazing even for nonBlack girls, but I’ve definitely recommended this to all my melanin-rich queens who have struggled to find brands that can accommodate their skin tones. Thank you for making a beautiful product I can always rely on." —Meriam J., Ami Colé Customer
Get the Skin-enhancing Tint here and the Skin-enhancing Concealer here.
2. Bread Beauty Supply provides the hair care essentials for everyone with curl types 3a to 4c. Products like their scalp serum and the best selling hair oil were made to be used in natural and protective styles, right after wash day and when you need a refresh in between. Their products help restore even the driest, frizziest hair back to its healthiest state.
Bread Beauty Supply
Bread Beauty Supply is a Black woman-owned small business founded by Australia-born Maeva Heim. After years of struggling to find clean hair care products she enjoyed, Bread was created.
Available at: Bread Beauty Supply, Sephora, Cult Beauty, Selfridges
Pricing: $26+
Promising review (for Hair Oil Everyday Gloss): "Best hair product I have ever bought! I'm in LOVE!...The oil smells absolutely amazing with a soft and delicate scent and after testing it in-store I was sold. I came home washed and styled my hair using the oil and it came out so soft and silky, I couldn't be happier. This hair oil is truly silky and not greasy like most hair oils or serums and again, the scent...delicious. This is definitely going to be my new daily hair product, I will be telling all my friends about it. Treat yourself, you won't be disappointed!" —Dana B., Bread Customer
3. Topicals is a transformative skincare brand all about helping you love the skin you're in, with a little help from their effective, science-backed products. Their best seller Faded helps diminish the look of scars, dark spots, and even helps smooth rough skin.
Topicals
Topicals is a WOC-founded, Black-owned small business started by Claudia Teng and Olamide Olowe, who actually ditched plans to apply to medical school in favor of launching the skincare brand in 2020. The motto "Perfect skin doesn't exist" is all over their site, along with the clear mission to help users learn to love their skin despite what society has taught us and advocate for mental health along the way.
Available at: Topicals, Sephora
Pricing: $26+
Promising review (for Faded): "I have been struggling with dark armpits since middle school. I have tried everything I could get my hands on, but nothing has worked like this serum. I have been using this serum for about a month now and my skin is lightning up so well and GLOWING. The results are amazing. Highly recommend!" —Katelynn, Topicals Customer
4. Black Girl Sunscreen protects and moisturizes skin without leaving a greasy white cast. While it works for all, BGS Sunscreen is specially designed for melanated skin! There's even a matte version for those with oily or combination skin.
Black GIrl Sunscreen, Black Girl Sunscreen
The sunscreen comes in three versions: original SPF 30, matte SPF 45, and a kid's SPF 50. Each are paraben-free, fragrance-free, vegan, and cruelty-free!
Available at: Black Girl Sunscreen, Target, Ulta
Pricing: $9.99+
Promising review (for Original SPF 30): "It’s GREAT! I use sunscreen on my face every single day. I live in FL so it’s a necessity. Finally, a sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast, feels good on my skin, and it’s moisturizing. I will definitely be purchasing this again." — Katrina H, Black Girl Sunscreen Customer
5. BeautyStat is home of award-winning vitamin C skincare. Faves like the Universal C Refiner (for brightening and firming skin) and the Universal C Eye Protector (blended with caffeine and hemp oil) are known for providing mind blowing results.
BeautyStat
BeautyStat was founded by cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, who previously worked developing Clinique, L’Oreal, and more. He has since created the first serum with 20% stable and pure vitamin C (meaning it never oxidizes or turns brown), which is BeautyStat's best-selling Universal C Refiner.
Available at: BeautyStat, Dermstore, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Amazon
Pricing: $38+
Promising review (for Universal C Refiner): "I LOVE BeautyStat's Universal C Skin Refiner! It has more of a cream consistency/texture than your typical serum. This is my third bottle of the stuff. I just use one pump on my face after cleansing in the morning. I have a pretty simple skincare routine but a Vitamin C product is a must-have, and this is my fave." —Marie, Dermstore Customer
6. Glosshood's Holyyy is a gloss/balm hybrid that keeps lips moisturized and hydrated without the sticky mess. This small biz is slowly but surely growing a devoted following for their gloss formula that's changing the game.
Glosshood
Glosshood and the Holyyy Gloss Balm Hybrid were created by Sienna Brown. The ingredients are clean and simple, including things like beeswax (a hydrator), coconut oil (a collagen booster), vitamin E oil (a protecting moisturizer), peppermint oil, and a few others in the same arena.
Available at: GlossHood, Thirteen Lune, JCPenny
Pricing: $22.22
Promising review: "I can't tell you how many tubes of Glosshood I've gone through since their launch. Outside of it being a great moisturizer, I often find myself applying it for no reason other than a spark of joy. Besides this being my holyyy grail (wink, wink), I'm absolutely in love with the overall brand. Glosshood really brightens up my life in so many ways. This item is a must have in my skin care routine and for my day-to-day. Not a JCPenney cent is wasted...literally..I break into the bottle to scrape out the last drops!" —thtlg, JCPenny Customer
Get the gloss balm here.
7. Buttah. is a skincare brand inspired by raw and natural shea butter, an ingredient that really helps skin glow. And as the products evolved, more organic, cruelty-free, and science-backed ingredients came into play to provide the radiant results everyone seems to love.
buttah.
Buttah. was founded in 2018 by Dorion Renaud specifically to help nourish multicultural skin.
Available at: Buttah., Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Thirteen Lune, Amazon
Pricing: $14.99+
Promising review (for the cleanser): "I haven't found anything that truly worked for my skin until now thanks to Buttah Skin. This cleanser isn't too heavy on my skin and leaves my skin feeling so soft. I use to have dark spots and acne mark but since this cleanser I've been able to clear up those issues. It's definitely helped balance out my skin. If you are think about giving this a try and you are hesitant, GO FOR IT!! You won't be disappointed and your skin will love you for it I promise." —Oresia L., Ulta Beauty Customer
Get the face cleaning brush here and the facial cleanser here.
8. Hyper Skin's Hyper Even Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum is a clean, vegan serum that hydrates skin and tackles those pesky dark spots that are difficult to treat. Ingredients like, tumeric root, hyaluronic acid, aloe, and (of course) vitamin C leaves skin bright and even with once-a-day use.
Hyper Skin
Hyper is a Black woman-owned small business that's changing the skincare game for darker and melanated skin tones. Their formula is specifically focused on treating the unique needs of skin of color, but works wonders for all. (Just look at those before and after photos!).
Available at: Hyper Skin, Sephora, Thirteen Lune, Revolve
Pricing: $36
Promising review: "I never write reviews for anything but OH MY GOD. The things I would do for this serum… the things this serum has done for me. I have cystic acne and PIH and this product has helped with both a ton. I can see my dark spots getting lighter every day. 1,000/10 recommend." —nvcj, Sephora Customer
Get the Vitamin C serum here.
9. PiperWai is a sustainable, vegan, and cruelty-free natural hygiene brand who got their start on ABC's Shark Tank in 2015. Since then, they've made their mark with the best-selling aluminum free, gender-neutral activated charcoal natural deodorant.
PiperWai also provides sustainably made and packaged body wash and hand sanitizer. In 2021, they even made the switch from glass and virgin plastic containers to more earth-friendly materials like recycled ocean waste plastic and sustainable aluminum.
Available at: PiperWai, Amazon, Walmart
Pricing: $10+
Promising review (for the natural deodorant cream): "Other deodorants/antiperspirants tend to cause painful boils in my underarms or my skin to break out. The sprays have been my go-to deodorants but I still have issues every so often. PiperWai has given me no issues at all and the 'anti perspirant; effect of the charcoal works way better! I tend to sweat a lot and it definitely keeps everything under control." —Jenna R., PiperWai Customer
10. Knc Beauty has the Instagramable, clean beauty regimen on lock. It started with the all natural, collagen-infused lip masks and has since evolved to products like the celeb-wearing, award-winning, cult favorite retinol-infused eye masks (being shaped like a cute shooting star is just a bonus 💫).
Knc Beauty
Fun fact: Knc Beauty is Beyoncé approved! The Queen Bee added the California-based small biz to her Black Parade directory of Black-owned businesses in 2020.
Available at: Knc Beauty, Sephora, Net-a-Porter, Violet Grey, Revolve, Amazon
Pricing: $22+
Get the leaf eye masks here and the shooting star eye mask here.
11. Mented Cosmetics gives makeup lovers *very* pigmented products that are vegan, paraben-free, nontoxic, and cruelty free. Everything from nail polish to contour sticks, and everything in between — they've got gorgeous nudes and vibrant earth tones covered.
Mented Cosmetics is a small business beauty brand founded by two awesome Black women, KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson. The idea for the brand began after a conversation helped them realize there was no perfect nude lipstick for their skin tones. Shortly after, Mented Cosmetics was born!
Available at: Mented Cosmetics, Target, Ulta Beauty
Pricing: $8+
Promising review (for the Everynight Eyeshadow Palette): "I have really love this palette. It's much more 'tame' than other palettes I have, but the depth of the pigmentation makes a really beautiful impact. Each color blends really easily, and looks great with a variety of skin tones. It has really helped make my brown eyes look much deeper and chocolate-y-er :)" —Sevan S., Mented Customer
12. Melanin Haircare uses ingredients like black soap and avocado oil to revive and enhance curls. The brand was originally founded in 2015 by two sisters who loved natural haircare but loved natural and safe ingredients even more.
Christine Forbes / BuzzFeed
Melanin Haircare is a Black woman-owned small business that makes conditioner, shampoo, oil, and other accessories for afro-textured hair.
Available at: Melanin Haircare, Sephora, Ulta Beauty
Pricing: $16.99+
Promising review (for the leave-in conditioner): "I've been natural since 2007 when there were so little products out there. Fast forward to now when there are soooo many; I've tried them all over the years but NOTHING and I mean NOTHING COMPARES to this leave in!!! My hair loves it! I have no negatives. I also appreciate the fact that I got every last drop out of the bottle. I'm neurotic and hate throwing out a bottle when there's still a tiny bit of product on the bottom. One bottle lasted me almost five months." —J, Ulta Beauty Customer
Get the leave-in conditioner here.
13. Eadem is a beauty brand with a single, remarkable product: the Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum. Vegan ingredients like papaya enzymes, amber algae, and glycerin work together to fade hyperpigmentation and minimize pores for smooth, even skin.
Eadem
Eadem is a BIPOC-owned small biz founded by Marie Koudaio and Alice Lin. They created theirvery own Milk Marvel Smart Melanin Technology, which makes Milk Marvel one of the most compatible and efficient products to fade stubborn dark spots on darker complexions.
Pricing:$68
Promising review: "I don’t usually get dark spots, but when I do they do not go away. I been using this product and my dark spot have been fading. I also find my skin more smooth and less texture. My makeup is applying so much better, I no longer have to apply a silicone base primer! I have told my friends all about this product." —Lesley R, Eadem Customer
Get the dark spot serum here.
14. Pattern Beauty provides curly-haired beauts with all the hair care you'll need. Products like the leave-in conditioner, styling custard, and treatment mask nourish and enhance curls with healthy, safe, and effective ingredients. And the cherry on top? It's founded by actress Tracee Ellis Ross!
Pattern Beauty
Available at: Pattern Beauty, Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Target
Pricing: $18+
Promising review (for the Leave-in Conditioner): "I'm not really loyal to leave-in conditioners and tend to pick up something new every time I run out, but this is by far the best one I've ever tried. It's so lightweight but still manages to hydrate my super thick, curly hair so well. I usually use the Olaplex no. 6 on top of my leave in but I don't need to with this. The scent is also really fresh and clean. Definitely buying the jumbo container when I finish my current tube!" —Aida421, Sephora Customer
Get the Leave-in Conditioner here and the Styling Cream here.
15. Oui The People is known for their amazing skincare and shaving products made to limit ingrown hairs and razor burn. Fan favorites include the Sensitive Skin Razor which provides a close shave, getting even the thickest most stubborn body hair.
Oui the People
Oui the People (originally Oui Shave) was founded back in 2015 by Karen Young. Products like the Hydrating Bikini Masks (shown above), Hydrating Body Gloss, and Sugarcoat Shave Gel-To-Milk where made to transform and improve the shaving experience.
Available at: Oui The People
Pricing: $25+
Promising review (for the Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor): " I actually enjoy shaving now. I hated shaving my legs. For years I tried to switch to waxing my legs to avoid shaving, but my skin does not tolerate waxing. My legs were always itchy and covered in welts and ingrown hairs. So I'd reluctantly go back to the plastic razors over and over that were only slightly better on my skin. I finally tried the rose gold razor and not only is the skin on my legs in better shape now than it has been in YEARS, but I actually enjoy shaving. With this razor, it feels more like a beauty ritual. And my skin feels soft and smooth afterward." —V.F.
16. Uoma Beauty raises the bar in nearly every aspect: bold lips, defined brows, smooth foundation, etc. It's a creative brand that has made beauty inclusive in all senses of the word.
Uoma Beauty was founded by Sharon Chuter, and made to be as rebellious and different as the people wearing it.
Available at:Uoma Beauty, Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom
Pricing:$15+
Promising review (for the matte lipstick): "This is the best lipstick on the market! I am a lipstick connoisseur, so you can take my opinion to the bank! Excellent coverage and beautiful rich colors that make your lips pop!" —Carla B.
17. Fenty Beauty has made its mark in the beauty industry and has become a staple in makeup bags across the world. Seriously, products like the Killowatt Highlighter and Body Lava Luminizer gives everyone a natural-looking sparkle and fan favorite Pro Filt'r Matte Foundation is one of smoothest, most buildable foundations in the biz.
Fenty beauty, instagram.com
As many of us know, Fenty Beauty is owned and founded by Rihanna! For each foundation (matte, hydrating, powder, etc.), Fenty Beauty offers 50 different shades (!!) and a shade finder quiz to ensure everyone finds their perfect match.
Available at: Fenty Beauty, Sephora, Harvey Nichols
Pricing: $7+
Promising review (for Pro Filt'r Matte Foundation): "I took the online quiz and it worked! I love the foundation! It feels lightweight and not thick. It provides the matte and buildable full coverage that I desire while looking natural. It’s so hard to find a foundation for light brown skin with golden olive undertones but Fenty Beauty nailed it with this!" —Tracy C., Fenty Beauty Customer
18. Ornami Skincare provides 100% natural skincare products that only include the *truly* necessary ingredients. They intend to help users "break up" with harsh and toxic ingredients (hence the clever product names) and show you don't need chemicals (or a big budget) to get smooth, glowing skin.
instagram.com, Ornami Skincare
Ornami is a Black woman–owned small business that makes natural, vegan skincare products. With product names like "Let that Mango" Body Butter and Glo Getta Body Oil, I'm all for adding more positivity into a daily routine. But I've got to admit, the pictured "No Scrubs" Ex-Foliator is a favorite of mine. It leaves my skin feeling super soft and the the vanilla and lavender scent is *very* relaxing.
Available at: Ornami Skincare, Amazon
Pricing: $12.99+
Promising review (for No Scrubs Ex-Foliator): "I simply do not know how I survived without it my whole 23 years of life. I have sensitive skin so I am often wary of scrubs...this wasn't harsh at all and it also didn't fall short of feeling like it was really scrubbing away all my dead skin...Also, I have a lot of cosmetic and food allergies so scrubs too often leave my skin super irritated and this one absolutely did not...I am really sensitive to scents (especially synthetic ones) and this smells sooo good like a warm summer day. It really gets 11/10." —Haley
19. The Doux brings a new meaning to hair care as it's founded by a licensed cosmetologist. Their products like 'Mousse Def' and 'Big Poppa Define Gel' nourish and hold hair, whether your curls are flowing free or slicked back into a bun.
The Doux
The Doux is Black and veteran-owned by licensed cosmetologistMaya Smith and husband Brian. The hair care brand also provides leave-in conditioner, shampoo, and curl cream.
Available at:The Doux, Target, Walmart, JCPenny, Walgreens, Sally Beauty
Pricing:$12.99+
Promising review (for Mousse Def Texture Foam): "WHAT’S POPPIN? MY CURLS!!! My local supply store Noire Beauty recommended The Doux, and I am ELATED!!! I finally found an amazing product without coconut oil or very little. My hair hates it. But The Doux has changed my life. I literally went from an hour or more to 20 minutes max to style my hair. I gave away all my other products and The Doux is ALL I use. I’ve recommended the products to everyone. Products work, are affordable, and its Black owned. A+++++. So now my CURLS ARE POPPIN!!!!!" —M., The Doux Customer
Get the mousse here.
20. Base Butter is a clean, high-performing skincare brand that's all about having a simple yet effective beauty routine and have provided the perfect products to do so. Since their launch in 2015, Base Butter has exploded across the internet and social media for having the #1 aloe vera gel-based moisturizer.
Base Butter was founded by She'Neil Spence and Nicolette Graves.
Available at:Base Butter,Madewell, Design Milk Shop
Pricing:$15+
Promising review (for the Radiate Face Jelly Moisturizer): "I’m still shook! I loveee this moisturizer! I’ve been using it for about three months and I have no cons! I have very oily skin and using this somehow balances everything out making me less oily. I don't know how it works, but IT WORKS!" —Alexis, Base Butter Customer
Get the moisturizerhere.
21. The Honey Pot provides clean and effective feminine care products such as sensitive wash, refreshing panty spray, bath bombs, menstrual cups, and more — basically everything you could need to take care of what's downstairs.
The Honey Pot
Bea Dixon founded The Honey Pot after having a dream about the perfect ingredients to create effective feminine care. Every product in the line is recyclable, cruelty-free, and made to soothe and balance the vagin*!
Available at: The Honey Pot, Target, Walmart, Urban Outfitters, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walgreens, Amazon,
Pricing: $7.99+
Promising review (for the Normal Foaming Wash): "This product is something that will be forever on my shopping list. I've been using it for two months and my symptoms of odor have improved and no longer bothersome. I'm so glad I decided to try. I was sold when it said it was made by women with the same issues that I was having and with natural ingredients. No harsh chemicals or preservatives like glycol, which I am allergic to.—MizKay, The Honey Pot Customer
Get the foaming washhere.
22. Shani Darden Skincare was founded by esthetician and skin expert Shani Darden. Products include the top rated retinol serum and the facial sculpting wand (which you've probably already seen in a few celebrity skincare videos — they love it!).
instagram.com, Shani Darden Skincare
Available at: Shani Darden, Sephora, Violet Grey
Pricing: $12+
Promising review (for the Retinol Reform Serum): "Very gentle but powerful, great stuff. It’s awesome, doesn’t irritate my severely dry red rosacea-prone skin. Works fast, makes my skin look much smoother and more radiant. Helps get rid of acne. If you have the money and want to splurge, it’s definitely one of the best retinols out there." —Scorpiobabe93, Sephora Customer
23. Beauty Bakerie is a one-stop shop for vibrant, high quality cosmetics. They provide everything from lashes and eyeshadow palettes, to lip scrubs and primer — all adorably packaged to fit the baking theme, and all highly rated.
Beauty Bakerie
Beauty Bakerie is a cruelty-free cosmetics company founded by Cashmere Nicole.
Available at: Beauty Bakerie, Ulta Beauty, Target
Pricing: $10+
Promising review (for the Flour Setting Powder): "I have been looking for a setting powder like this for a long long time. I am seriously pale. Usually, even the lightest shades of setting powder will go on darker than my actual skin and look bad. However, this powder is white. It's actually brightening. I never thought I would find a setting powder that was brightening for my skin tone. I have combination skin, and this setting powder does a really nice job keeping things matte without cracking or looking too powdery." —Katie C., Beauty Bakerie Customer
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Make sure you head here for more of our Black History Month coverage!
Kathy Hoang / BuzzFeed
