8 Black-Owned Beauty Brands To Show Your Support For #BlackLivesMatter

It’s been more than a week since news broke about the passing of George Floyd — a black man who died while being detained by the police in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. As the world mourns for his death alongside a long list of black people who suffered a similar fate, many are now taking a stand for this longstanding battle on racism.

The time of learning about and recognising privilege is now, and while we’re here in Singapore, we can still do our part to stand for the movement. Black people are facing more trauma than we already do and companies around the world are also doing their part in this battle by supporting the cause. In the spirit of raising awareness through your social platforms, signing petitions and donating to the #BlackLivesMatter cause, you can also support black-owned beauty brands, even prominent ones such as Fenty Beauty, by purchasing from them directly.

So without further ado, in this article, we’ve rounded up black-owned beauty brands that are available in Singapore, or ship internationally to Singapore, that you can support.

MAKEUP

1. PAT MCGRATH LABS

Pat McGrath, founder of Pat McGrath Labs (Photo Courtesy)

You probably don’t need any introduction to this cult label, but for the unacquainted, meet Pat McGrath. Otherwise known as one of the most influential and sought-after makeup artists in the world, McGrath was born in Northampton, England, and realised her love for makeup at a very young age; she then went on to pursue that passion of course. Ever since she started her own line of cosmetics for Giorgio Armani, McGrath went ahead to start her own brand in 2015 where she launched her limited-edition pigment, Gold 001 — the first product that was released by Pat McGrath Labs.

L — R: Mothership III Subversive Eyeshadow Palette and Mini MatteTrance™ Lipstick Trio ($39)

As her line of cosmetics has expanded, the label now sees an extensive range of products, ranging from their iconic Mothership III Subversive Eyeshadow Palette to their latest Mini MatteTrance™ Lipstick Trio.

Pat McGrath Labs is available at Sephora.

2. PROPA BEAUTY

Victoria Fazio, founder of Propa Beauty (Photo Courtesy)

Makeup label, Propa Beauty was first founded by Victoria Fazio whose focus was to create a makeup line that energises and encourages women to be confident leaders in their own fields. Her products are centred on mixing pigments and formulas that fit a wider range of skin tones, especially catering to those with darker tones.

Propa Beauty Lipstick in ‘Her Magic’, $USD$12. Available at PropaBeauty.com.

Offering lipsticks that are formulated with a clean Paraben-free formula that give off a luminous, elegant satin finish, Propa Beauty presents 12 delectable shades for you to choose from, including their all-time bestselling lipstick in the shade ‘Her Magic’ — a beautiful warm, pink-toned lipstick that dresses your pout for any occasion in just one swipe.

Propa Beauty is available on their website at PropaBeauty.com.

3. THE LIP BAR

Melissa Butler, founder of The Lip Bar (Photo Courtesy)

The Lip Bar was first born out of the city of NYC by Founder and CEO Melissa Butler. Before starting her own beauty brand, Melissa was working in the finance field before she realised her true passion for makeup. Not only does her lipstick line challenge the perception of beauty, it also brings up the conversation of inclusion for all women of colour”.

3:00 Boss Moves Fast Face Kit, USD$99. Available at TheLipBar.com.

Besides her line of non-toxic, vegan and cruelty-free lipsticks, The Lip Bar also offers other options including foundation, bronzers, eyeliners and more. But if you’re unsure of which products you should try, consider their best-selling 3:00 Boss Moves Fast Face Kit — which includes their signature Foundation, Lipstick, 2N1 Brow Gel and Pencil, Eyeliner, 4N1 Face Palette and Mascara.

The Lip Bar is available on their website at TheLipBar.com.

4. MENTED COSMETICS

KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson (Photo Courtesy)

Finding the perfect nude lipstick can be tough especially for women of colour. And like most of us, we’re still on the quest of finding the perfect one to add to our rotation — which is why Mented Cosmetics founders, KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson sparked an idea to build a beauty brand that caters to women from light to tan to dark skin tones.

Mented Cosmetics Matte Lipsticks, USD$18. Available at MentedCosmetics.com.

Mented Cosmetics first made its foray into cosmetics with their original nude lipstick which then expanded with new additions including eyeshadow palettes, blushes and more! More importantly, their lipstick range offers different finishes for you to choose from such as their matte, liquid, semi-matte lipsticks.

Mented Cosmetics is available at MentedCosmetics.com.

SKINCARE

1. ABSOLUTEJOI

Dr Anne, founder of AbsoluteJOI (Photo Courtesy)

AbsoluteJOI, founded by Dr Anne from Washington D.C., is a clean, safe and effective line that is made for all people of colour. Inspired by her daughters, Dr Anne was driven to create a line for younger women to take better care of their skin as they grow older.

AbsoluteJOI Skin Refining Night Oil with Retinol and Vitamins C+E, USD$57. Available at AbsoluteJOI.com.

Within her line, you’ll find products that contain no additives, perfumes or dyes with plant-based formulations and pure active ingredients. With a collection that combines science and global traditions, you can find products like their best-selling Skin Refining Night Oil with Retinol and Vitamins C+E that works to restore the appearance of your skin overnight and even treat hyperpigmentation.

AbsoluteJOI is available on their website at absolutejoi.com.

2. BLACK GIRL SUNSCREEN

Shontay Lundy, founder of Black Girl Sunscreen (Photo Courtesy)

For high-quality natural products that protect you from the sun’s harmful UV rays, enter Black Girl Sunscreen. Founded by Shontay Lundy, the New York-raised businesswoman wanted to find a sunscreen that didn’t leave a white cast as many traditional products do. As she worked with other skincare experts on her sunscreen, Shontay was driven to educate and empower her customers to protect and nurture their skin no matter what shade they come in.

Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30, USD$18.99. Available at BlackGirlSunscreen.com

The Black Girl Sunscreen that they are known for doesn’t have that typical ‘sunscreen smell’, and absorbs so well it goes on like a moisturiser. Other ingredients that are found in the formula include cocoa butter and carrot seed oil that reduces inflammation and naturally treats sun-damaged skin respectively.

Black Girl Sunscreen is available on their website at blackgirlsunscreen.com.

HAIR & BODY

1. BRIOGEO

Nancy Twine, founder of Briogeo (Photo Courtesy)

At an early age, Nancy Twine made her first foray into haircare with the help of her grandmother — who’s also been known as West Virginia’s resident beauty guru. After moving out to New York City in her twenties, Nancy realised that the natural hair care market was lacking, which led her to open up her own haircare label that’s now more famously known as Briogeo Hair Care.

Briogeo Color Me Brilliant Mushroom + Bamboo Color Protect Shampoo, $43. Available at Sephora.

With such humble beginnings, the haircare brand grew exponentially with their carefully curated products that contain clean formulas for your hair that doesn’t consist of any harsh sulfates, silicones, parabens, cruelty-free and are ethically sourced. Some of the bestselling products from her line include the Color Me Brilliant Mushroom + Bamboo Color Protect Shampoo — protecting your hair colour while it prevents your colour from fading.

Briogeo Farewell Frizz™ Frizz Control Travel Kit, $39. Available at Sephora.

Other popular picks you might want to consider include the Farewell Frizz™ Frizz Control Travel Kit which seems fairly apt especially when you’ve to deal with the unbearable humidity here in Singapore. In this kit, you’ll find Briogeo’s Farewell Frizz™ Smoothing Shampoo, Conditioner, Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray and Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème.

Briogeo is available on their website or at Sephora.sg.

2. MOCHA WHIP

Melissa Troupe, founder of Mocha Whip (Photo Courtesy)

It’s time to butter up with this handcrafted collection of indulgent shea butter by bath & body brand, Mocha Whip. First founded by Melissa Troupe, she launched a flagship collection of vegan shea butter treats that included shea butter whippies, shea butter swirlies, shea butter balls, and shea butter softies — pairing purity and simplicity with indulgence in each of her products.

L — R: Vanilla Chai Shea Body Swirlie (USD$16.88) and Shea Butter Whippie in Lavender Dream (USD$14.88).

The shea butter products from Mocha Whip are made using as few ingredients as possible without compromising on its indulgent appeal. Some of the more popular scents from the line include their Shea Butter Whippie in Lavender Dream and their all-time favourite, Vanilla Chai Shea Body Swirlie.

Mocha Whip is available on their website at MochaWhip.com.

 


For a list of other black-owned beauty brands to support, check out Estee Laundry’s list here: