-By Mycah Hill, June 10, 2020

“Our blackness is not the problem. It is the racism, unspoken and spoken, that is the problem.”

Shaylin Jones

Our pain and cries have erupted in cities across the country to protest the death of George Floyd, an innocent black man murdered by police.

In times like these it is not enough to just say we need change, we need action to make the change happen.

A spotlight Is shining on all of the racism in America, and guess what? The beauty industry is not exempt. The beauty industry has been a pillar in the agenda to exclude black women and tear down the self esteem of young black girls.

I will demand change and take action by supporting black owned beauty businesses and paying homage to those that have created space for black women to feel and be their most beautiful!

So here it goes, a quick list of my favorite products by Black Owned Beauty brands we can all support.

1. The Lip Bar Bronzer

Finding bronzers for black girls is no easy task. We want a warm beautiful sun kissed glow just like the next girl. But we often get one “deep” color option from mainstream brands and it’s never “deep” enough. So when the Lip Bar released a Bronzer duo, I had to try it.

Listen….This is it! No more ashy, blotchy, not dark enough, and not warm enough bronzers. This bronzer goes on evenly and is rich in pigment. And don’t get me started on the highlight...whew! The Lip Bar Bronzer Duo comes in multiple shades for all complexions, including the best seller “Double Date” which is amazing even on deep chocolate complexions. The best thing of all, the Lipbar is not only women owned and black owned, it’s 100% vegan too!

2. Aunt Jackie’s Knot On My Watch Intstant Detangling Therapy

Aunt Jackie’s Knot On My Watch Instant Detangling Therapy, is my GO TO, when my thick 4b/4c hair is literally “in a knot”!!! Using a wide-tooth comb, it instantly eliminates hard to manage areas that allow me to completely untangle my hair, while reducing breakage and keeping my hair moisturized.

3. Base Butters Radiate
Face Jelly

You brush your teeth in the morning, comb your hair, and then what? It should be moisturizing your face! If you're not using Base Butters Radiate Face Jelly. I don’t know what you're doing. This #1 Aloe vera gel moisturizer is great for PH balance, and hydrated skin. With pure and simple ingredients, this product was designed specifically for black women and by black women. It will leave your skin feeling like silk!

4. Black Girl Sunscreen

Yes Black Queen, you get sunburned too. It’s not a secret that the majority of sunscreens are not made for us, but thanks to Black Girl Sunscreen, our skin is now protected from harmful sun rays too. I am so excited to try this non-white residue sunscreen, designed specifically for women of color. And yes, you guessed it...BLACK OWNED!

5. Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Ok ladies, I know most of you are probably familiar with Shea Moisture. But did you know that Shea Moisture is founded by a Black family that stands on the legacy of their grandmother? How about the fact that the company invests in several minority women owned businesses and educational programs? Like over 6 million dollars and counting! That’s just one of the reasons I stan for Shea Moisture. The other is, the products of course!

I recently did a 3-Strand Twist Out on freshly washed hair using the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. I paired it with a gel, and the results I got were BOMB!

Listen Here! I am Black. I am Beautiful. I am Intelligent. I am enough! There's so much power in Black Beauty. We have something to be appreciated . Something to be proud of. Giving back to black owned businesses is a great way to support black entrepreneurship and derail the industry’s old and tired lie that black women hold no value in this world.

I’m going to leave you with the words sang by the great Blue Ivy Carter…. “Brown skin girl, Ya skin just like pearls. The best thing in the world. Never trade you for anybody else.”

Other sources you can support/donate to in regards to the BLM Movement are Black Lives Matter, The Innocent Project, Reclaim The Block, and Campaign Zero.

*updated edit/removed a brand that was sold and no longer black owned. To clarify, Shea Moisture was aquired in 2017 by a non black owned Uniliver, however, we still choose to support this brand because the founder, Richelieu Dennis is still leading the company to pour millions into our communities and black business owners.