I can’t believe it’s almost here! Are you ready for Christmas yet? It’s ALMOST but not quite too late to get that last minute shopping in. Without further ado, here’s my list of independent, mostly Black owned, mostly woman owned brands who are making skincare, body care, beauty and hair care products you will love!

Adwoa Beauty If you’ve got 4C hair and you’re looking for a brand that makes products for you, have you tried Adwoa Beauty yet? Their Baomint is the TRUTH. Created by founder Julian Addo, it is truly based in healthy ingredients for natural hair. The trial pack is adorably packaged and perfect for gift giving!

The Bopa — This Denver-based hair accessory company offers a curated collection of hair clips, scrunchies, headbands, and the latest hair accessories.  Founded by Dardoh Skinner (seen here modeling her products), she handpicks all adornments to make sure they work for all hair types and textures.

Brown and Bella Skincare – This skincare line is all about clean ingredients and sulfate-free formulations. Her Cucumber and Chamomile Clay Cleanser is a game changer. Try the Best Face Forward set for starters!

Brush Beauty Balm — I’m loving the intentions and efficacy of everything I’ve tried from B3 Balm. Created by OG makeup artist Julia Dalton Brush, the brand exists because as a professional makeup artist she couldn’t find perfectly crafted organic products to prep her clients’ skin. Now she’s the CEO of her own brand and her oils, toners, scrubs and lotions are beloved by her peers in the industry as well as consumers. Her Rose Squalane is SO good!

 

Brush With The Best – often imitated, never duplicated! The original Felicia Leatherwood Detangle Brush was conceived by celebrity hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood, intended for the flexible brush to easily move through thick, coily hair and make for less hair pulling. I love this brush, and I can vouch for Felicia’s awesomeness. I accept no imitations! Click here to shop!

Bella Noir – This brand has the most glorious products and packaging. Each product comes with a Bible verse that just feels so perfect and right, something to uplift you and enhance your awareness of your own beauty as you use it. There are beautiful intentions in Bella Noir brand, and the products are amazing as well.

Camara Aunique – the renowned and respected makeup artist also has her own poppin’ brand of lashes! Her lashes are named after some of her most famous clients, and she also sells lash tools and kits for newbies trying to figure it all out (like me)! Use the code AFROBELLA for 15% off!

Curl Mix — I love the concept of Curl Mix, it’s perfect for the hair obsessed (like me)! Take their quiz to figure out what works best for you, then create your own hair care product or system using their vegan, cruelty free, all natural ingredients. You can shop by hair type, by product type, or by concern (for example, right now it’s all about moisture)!
The Healing Place Apothecary – This indie brand whips up great natural skincare and bodycare, I LOVE their Daily Greens moisturizer! Check out their gift sets for ideas.

Honey Baby Naturals – Honey Baby Naturals is the first Latina-owned hair and skincare brand for naturals in all the major retailers – you can find it in Target, Walmart, Sally Beauty, and more! Made by former chemical engineer Aisha Ceballos-Crump, her products work for a WIDE range of skin and haircare needs, and the body care is BOMB. The Honey Nectar Body Jelly is quickly becoming a winter staple for me!

Honeycat Cosmetics – I absolutely love the quirkiness and individuality of Honeycat Cosmetics – their products are so absolutely unique and wonderful! I’ve loved everything I’ve had the chance to try but the bath bombs are particularly bomb, fun and different. With each of their bath bombs, the base is the bath bomb and the top is the soap topper so it’s like two in one — you get a soap AND a bath bomb!

Hue Noir – This Black woman owned makeup brand makes excellent products, from lipsticks to foundation. If you’re new to Hue Noir, get into their holiday sets pairing lipsticks with a perfect glittery gloss.

Janet and Jo – I met the founder of this 10-free, vegan, cruelty free nailpolish brand at The Makeup Show this year. She is genuinely good people and I love the packaging and colors! So vibrant and lasting, and with fun names. Great for a stocking stuffer!

Kazmaleje hair tools – Kazmaleje is an indie brand that makes great hair tools, dope apparel and accessories and cool coffee mugs all for us and by us. Their combs and brushes are super sturdy!

KB Shimmer – I love truly unique nailpolishes and that’s KB Shimmer’s specialty! Glitters and holographics and multichromes and jelly polish – all in colors that shift and move like the shades of an oil slick. Love!

Kissed By a Bee – handmade products by a third-generation herbalist, Kissed By a Bee Organics is best described as a modern apothecary that makes everything from haircare and skincare to tinctures and products for armpits, eczema and more. Click to check out the holiday boxes.

Koils By Nature – the OG indie hair and bodycare brand has got some cool new products on deck! For gents, check out the Ultimate Beard Kit to keep it soft, clean and well groomed. And the new cologne Sultry Oud sounds incredible!

Lamik Beauty – Lamik stands for Love and Makeup In Kindness, and truly founder Kim Roxie is so kind and sweet. And talented! Check out her Celebrity Brow Kit to get the look Lamik is known for!

Maniglovz – This is the perfect gift for anyone who gets regular manicures that involve no-chip polish and lamps. Maniglovz protect your hands from the harsh UV radiation rays, and come in an astonishing variety of prints and colors.

Ora’s Amazing Herbal – If you’ve been looking for healthy alternatives to baby powder and body powder, look no further than Ora’s Amazing Herbal! They have a wonderful variety of face and body care products, and products for babies as well. I can vouch that the body powders all feel AMAZING and smell so good!

Pearnova —  This Chicago-based 10-free nail polish brand has become one of the most buzzed about in the country. Founder Rachel James finds her inspiration in runway and streetwear style, and her nailpolishes come in a dazzling array of shades. Plus if you live in Chicago, you can visit the super cool Pearnova Salon to get your nails done to perfection in a trendy, relaxed environment.

SDotBeauty —  If you’re looking for all natural products for skin, body, hair and for your baby, look no further than SDotBeauty. I especially love their cleansing bars and body polish.

COMMENTS

Pets says:
December 17, 2019, 7:03 pm
Wonderful list. Congratulations on continued growth.
Tia says:
December 17, 2019, 7:14 pm
Thanks for these recommendations!! LOVE! Xo Tia D
Franziska says:
January 23, 2020, 9:18 am
Koils by nature looks so wonderful. Im gonna try this out. thank you so much honey :) xoxo franzi powder brows