Black Owned Brands That I Love

Please note that this post does not contain affiliate links. When organically including Black owned brands in the future, I will use affiliate links, but this post is intentionally focused on the importance of buying Black and will not lead to monetary gain if you click the links included to learn more about the products. Learn more here.

We have a long way to go to ensure equity and justice for all in the United States, but shopping Black owned businesses is just one simple way that we can start. By supporting a Black owned business, you are supporting not only the business owner, but their family and their community. Representation is important, and supporting a Black business owner with your dollar is a way to show that you are invested in seeing that representation. Companies are being put under a microscope more so than usual regarding how diverse their staff if, what their shade range is like, etc and rightfully so. We as consumers have the power to let companies know what we want to see. Keep reading to check out some of my favorite products that I have purchased from Black owned brands.

Palm Trees & 80 Degrees candle in Sun Kissed Citrus 

This candle by Palm Trees & 80 Degrees is made by the lovely Danielle, whose Instagram account @miamibeautyvice I follow and love for her beautiful photos and fantastic product reviews. The Sun Kissed Citrus scent is truly a unique citrus, not at all what I expected, in the best way. Rather than a super sweet citrus, to me it is more warm and clean citrus scent. It's really uplifting and bright. The packaging is lovely, and it burns down very evenly, which my obsessive nature really appreciates. The throw is fantastic upon lighting also. I had this lit today, stepped outside and came back to my living room enveloped in this gorgeous scent. The candles are also fairly priced, which is alway a plus for a candle freak like myself who tends to go through quite a few. There are two scents available at the moment, the other being Tranquil Lavender, which I definitely plan on trying next time I place an order. They also recently announced that a third scent will be coming soon, can't wait to see what it is! 

Amber Richele Crewneck Sweater in Light Taupe 

Amber Richele Crewneck Sweater in Light Taupe

I was first introduced to Amber Richele's tie dye creations via Alyssa Lenore's Instagram. What caught my eye was that Amber flipped traditional tie dye on its head and presented it as an understated neutral. Don't get me wrong, I love a good splash of color, which Amber's site also offers, but I loved how unique the taupe tie dye looked. I purchased the crewneck sweater in light taupe, and am so so happy with it. The tie dye is beautifully done, the quality of the sweater is great, and it's very comfortable and cozy. When the sweater arrived, my husband took an immediate interest in it as well, which means I may have to place another order soon. I ordered a Large, but next time I will get either an XL or 1X for that fun  extra oversized look. The brand has a nice size range, from S-3X. These sweaters aren't the only items available also. They have pieces ranging from scrubs to athleisure to dog clothing (!). If you're into tie dye, run don't walk. 

Eternally in Amber Hair Clip and Comb

A good hair clip is something I'd been on the hunt for for a bit, so when I saw this one by Eternally in Amber, I didn't hesitate to order. I love the size; my hair isn't very thick so I can put all of my hair up with this clip. All of the colors of their accessories are so good that I had a hard time choosing, so I decided to get a comb as well. The colors on both the clip and the comb are so well done as well; they have a luxe, pearlescent sheen to them that just brings a smile to my face. I do tend to be a bit gentle with the comb so that I don't bend it much; but I mostly just use it to center part my hair and it works perfectly. These would make such a beautiful gift as well. They also have fun hair accessories and hair and skin care. The next item I want to pick up is a styling comb for my husband- he deserves cute beauty tools as well. 

Pat McGrath Mothership V Eyeshadow Palette in Bronze Seduction

Pat McGrath Mothership V Eyeshadow in Bronze Seduction

Fuck my life, I finally tried something from Pat McGrath. And of course I loved it. I have been eyeballing the Mothership V Eyeshadow Palette in Bronze Seduction for years now and finally pulled the trigger a few months ago. This is absolutely a luxe, expensive, mega treat yo'self moment product, but damn is it gorgeous. The packaging is beautifully weighted and sturdy. The shadows themselves are a really nice. Don't get me wrong, there are very comparable shadows at lower prices; honestly I feel that my MAC shadows are just as good. But the colors in this palette are what really grabbed me, specifically that green and pink reflex in the top right.  I love blending the lighter brown shades out all over my lid and in the crease, then topping it with that gorgeous shifting shade. It makes for an understated statement eye that I am obsessed with. In the photo above, I am wearing the light and medium brown shades blended all over the lid and in the crease, then that bronze shade that is second from the left on the bottom of the palette. There is a lot of high end makeup out there that doesn't feel worth the price, but this palette is just different from anything else that I have and makes me feel like the splurge was worth it. 

Uoma Double Take Contour Stick and Say What?! Foundation 

Wearing Uoma Say What?! Foundation and Double Take Contour Stick

Uoma Double Take Contour Stick swatched

Uoma beauty was a brand I'd seen floating around a bit, and once it started popping up on lists of Black owned beauty businesses I decided it was past due that I try a few products. From what I had seen, the Say What?! Foundation looked gorgeous, and it definitely didn't disappoint once I tried it myself. It is full coverage, yet so lightweight. Really not sure how they managed it, but I'm impressed and grateful that they did! A little bit goes a long way, but it blends out nicely and doesn't look super thick. I'm also a sucker for a good contour, so I had to try the Double Take Contour Stick. It is absolute perfection. It's creamy and blends out with no effort, and that goes for the highlight end as well. Again, a little product goes a verrrrrry long way with this. I put a very small amount of the contour, about the size of a quarter, in the hollow of my cheek and it makes my shit pop. It's also a great shade for me, nice and cool toned to give me those sculpted cheekbones I can only dream of. That brings up another point about this brand and Black owned beauty in general. They have an actual shade range that suits a wide variety of skin tones. It's really wild that brands are still making excuses for lack of shade range, yet it happens constantly. Next on my list to try is the Stay Woke Concealer and the Badass Icon Lipstick. 

Fenty Freestyle Cream Bronzer in Butta Biscuit, Match Stix Contour in Amber, and Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow 

Left to right: Freestyle Cream Bronzer in Butta Biscuit, Match Stix Contour in Amber, and Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow 

What else can be said about Fenty that hasn't been said before? We don't deserve Rihanna, she is all that is beauty and love in the world. But seriously, she doesn't miss and Fenty beauty is no exception. I have the Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow, Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer in Butta Biscuit, and the Match Stix Contour Skinstick in Amber. The gloss was the first Fenty product that I tried, and it's really the only gloss that I bother with. It's juicy, but not too sticky, and feels so comfortable on the lips. It also smells incredible. The next product that made it into my collection was the contour stick. This contour, like the Uoma one, is the perfect cool toned color for me. It also blends out easily and doesn't pull my base around. Big big fan of this one. The latest Fenty product that I have picked up is the cream bronzer in Butta Biscuit. You love to see a company with seven different bronzer shades instead of a paltry two or three which seems to be the norm. This cream also blends out nicely and gives a subtle, natural bronze to my skin. Fenty just launched their skincare line as well, which is what I'm most excited to try next. 

For many of us, being more intentional and aware of where we are spending our money will be quite a change. In the end, if we as consumers can make a difference in the representation that we see, it will certainly be worth the effort. If you have a favorite Black owned brand, let me know!