Black-owned beauty: Explore these brands owned by Black women

By Sarah Bartos     3/30/22 12:06am

The beauty and wellness industries are worth billions of dollars, but despite their massive consumer base, there has been a lack of dialogue surrounding inclusivity in product design and marketing up until very recently. Many Black women-owned beauty businesses are working to make the beauty industry more inclusive. Here are just a few beauty and skincare brands owned by Black women to invest in after Women’s History Month is over, including those that call Houston home. 

LAMIK

LAMIK (Love and Makeup in Kindness) is a Houston-based beauty and skincare company that focuses on providing products to women of all complexions. Founder Kim Roxie emphasizes the importance of beauty being “revealed not applied” through the company’s various products. You can purchase LAMIK products ranging from skincare, eyes, brows, lips and more via the LAMIK website or cosmetic stores including Ulta. 

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Fashion Fair

In 2021, “The Chicago Tribune” wrote an article detailing the history behind Eunice Johnson‘s company Fashion Fair. Founded in 1973, this was one of the first companies that addressed the skincare and beauty needs of women of color. Johnson noticed this gap in the industry when she witnessed Black models mixing different foundation shades, as there was a lack of shades sold on the market. While Johnson died in 2010, the company's new owners are trying to carry on Johnson's legacy. Cheryl Mayberry McKissack stated to the Chicago Tribune that the company was "at the forefront of making sure that beauty really was something that every woman had the opportunity to experience, especially Black women and women of color.” These products can be found on the Sephora and Fashion Fair websites. 

Topicals 

Topicals is a skincare company that addresses chronic skin conditions through their product line. Their tagline is "funner flare-ups," as the company attempts to destigmatize and normalize certain conditions while educating consumers on using the proper products to manage them. Products can be purchased via their website or Sephora online. 

Earth’s Nectar

Earth’s Nectar is a Houston-based, eco-friendly hair brand that offers a variety of hair care products to address common scalp and hair problems among clients with textured hair. The company is co-owned by Tamika Fletcher, a Black woman from Houston who also operates Natural Resources Salon, a natural hair salon and boutique in the Museum District. You can purchase Earth’s Nectar hair care products online or at department stores like Macy’s. 

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