Every day millions of black women wake up and begin getting ready for work or school with one thing in common: they don’t have the luxury to walk into Sephora and pick up a $27 lipstick. Such is life for black women who are often forced to pay more, something closer to $35, instead of other cultures who can purchase the same product at a lower price.
This post is dedicated to showcasing 25 makeup brands that cater to black women and their specific needs. We hope this proves helpful in your search for brands that will carry the products you’re looking for while also giving you insight into some of the struggles facing our community today.
1. Black Opal
Black Opal can be found in stores like Wal-Mart and Target. They have an extensive range of makeup, including highlighters, eyeshadow palettes, and foundations. Users report that the foundation is full coverage and blends well. According to one reviewer who has been using the product for years, the foundation also provides medium to complete sun protection from the harsh Dallas sun.
Black Opal is known for their eye shadows, which are also set apart by its ability to blend effortlessly with other products and pigmentation. There are plenty of beautiful color combinations available on the website that you can look at before purchasing.
2. Be a Bombshell Cosmetics
Another cruelty-free brand many women rave about is Be a Bombshell Cosmetics. Bombshell Cosmetics prides itself on being “trendsetters” in the community of women of color. They offer various makeup products, including lipstick, foundation, eyeliners, and eyeshadow palettes.
One user reports that their lipstick stays on “all day” without having to reapply. She also mentions that they offer a great variety of colors to choose from that look natural and cohesive with one another if you’d like to create your unique looks.
3. C.O. Bigelow
C.O. Bigelow was founded in 1909 by Dr. Jean Carpenter and remains a famous brand among women of color today. The company has four different lines: Classic, Signature, Perfect, and First Aid Innovation which are priced under $20/piece, according to their website.
Their products come in over 60 shades making it easy to find your perfect shade of foundation, which is paraben, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, and vegan friendly, among others that you’ll benefit from when choosing their products according to the website. They are best known for their lip gloss which can help keep your lips hydrated in the long run due to the vitamins blended into the gloss.
4. Lipstick Queen
According to the brand’s website, Lipstick Queen is a cruelty-free makeup line paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, and gluten-free. They offer over 30 colors of lipstick and 100 colors of lip glosses (ranging from sheer to full coverage). Starting at $20 and going up as low as $24, they have an extensive range of colors to choose from and compliment all complexions.
They offer all the bells and whistles, including a shiny topcoat and an eight-watt LED light in all their sets. They also offer a variety of sets, gift boxes, and bonus items for different occasions. According to some users or fans, they are one of two brands that don’t test on animals, which is something to consider when choosing your makeup brand. This brand has been around for years with no signs of stopping as long as you check their website regularly for new products and promotions.
5. Lime Crime
Lime Crime is another cruelty-free makeup brand that offers full coverage foundations, blush, eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks, and eyeliners. Some of the products have a shimmer that adds to their uniqueness. Their website states that they are 100 percent vegan and do not test on animals. They offer a full range of colors and have an extensive line of eyeshadow palettes with different effects you can choose from. You can also purchase blushes, eyeshadow singles, and lipsticks for $20 to $35.
6. MAC Cosmetics
One of the most notable makeup brands that cater specifically to women of color is MAC Cosmetics, which offers all fans of this brand quite a bit to choose from, ranging between full coverage foundations, eyebrow products, eyeliners, and eye shadow palettes and lipsticks among others.
They have a wide range of products to choose from that should meet all your needs. They offer a variety of colors and finishes that should fit every woman’s style. The website boasts over 70 shades of foundation, with MAC Pro foundation coming in 11 shades specifically designed for professional makeup artists and women with darker skin tones. This brand is also cruelty-free.
7. Make up Forever
Make up Forever, according to its website, was founded in 1984 with the purpose of “delivering high-performance products designed to make a face look more natural and beautiful than ever before”. Their products include high-quality foundations, liners, and eyeshadow palettes. Their products are paraben, phthalate, and sulfate-free and also contain a blend of natural ingredients that makes it easy to find your perfect shade.
Their product line ranges from skin foundations over $22 to high-end makeup for professionals who need their products fast, like in a few days. They are known for creating gorgeous color palettes, but you can also purchase single stains such as eyeshadows by choosing shades that compliment your skin tone to create various looks.
8. NUDESTIX Cosmetics
NUDESTIX Cosmetics is another cruelty-free brand that knows exactly what they’re doing when catering to women of color. They offer a wide range of products that you may want to choose from. Some of their products include brow powder, contour palettes, lipsticks, and eyeshadow palettes. Their prices range from $19 to $39, depending on the shade and finish you would like to purchase.
9. NYX Cosmetics
NYX Cosmetics is known for its full coverage foundations, which come in 15 different shades and have a matte formula perfect for concealing blemishes and dark spots while staying matte all day long. They have four different finishes: a natural-looking silky-matte feeling finish and a metallic sparkle finish, which is more on the dewy side than a semi-matte finish. They have an extensive range of lipsticks and eyeshadows, and fantastic nail polishes that you can use for your natural look or special events.
10. Sonia Kashuk
Sonia Kashuk is another cruelty-free makeup brand that prides itself on developing affordable makeup options starting at $8 to $13. They are paraben, animal byproducts, and gluten-free. They also contain natural ingredients like shea butter and baobab fruit extracts, making it easy to find your perfect shade of foundation and concealer, all under one roof. Their products include liquid foundations, eyeliners, lipsticks, and mascaras. They offer a variety of makeup kits and specific lip care kits.
11. Urban Decay
Urban Decay is considered the most popular cruelty-free makeup brand and has been around for years. Their definition of cruelty-free means that they do not test on animals, including their products, ingredients, or any other materials used in the manufacturing process. They offer a wide range of products, including eye shadows, lipsticks, and eyeliners. Depending on your desired look, they have shades you can choose from, ranging from matte to shimmery or glittery finishes. Some items are also “tinted,” meaning they come in a tinted base to help tone down color so you won’t have to worry about it looking too bright or too dark for your skin tone.
12. Wet n Wild Cosmetics
Wet n Wild Cosmetics offers a wide range of makeup products for your eyes, face, and lips. Their products include full coverage makeups that are cruelty-free. They have products for your eyes, ranging from eye shadows to mascara, among other items. They also offer a variety of lip colors along with a full coverage foundation in 19 different shades. Their prices range from $2 to $6, so you can easily find your perfect makeup look without worrying about breaking the bank. Talk about affordable beauty!
13. Yves Saint Laurent
According to their website, Yves Saint Laurent is “an expert at creating sensual and provocative beauty through innovative, trendsetting formulas.” Their products include foundation, blush, and lipstick, among other items. Their products are not tested on animals and do not contain harsh chemicals or parabens. They also have products formulated specifically for women of color and products that can help lighten your skin tone when used together.
They also offer a complete skincare line which includes cleanings and masks, among other items. The price range of their makeup ranges from $42 to $59, while their skincare lines range from $30 to $60 depending on the product you would like to purchase and the quantity you would like to purchase it in.
14. Aromaleigh
Aromaleigh is a brand known for being one of the first brands to provide comprehensive coverage foundation in your perfect shade! They are also cruelty-free and vegan. The brand offers makeup products made with high-quality ingredients that you may purchase in different quantities depending on the product you choose to purchase. They have a wide range of products, including eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks, foundation, and other items. Their complete foundations come in 5 different shades and are paraben-free, cruelty-free, and vegan.
15. Soko Glam
Soko Glam is a brand known for its wide range of affordable cosmetics that you can use on your eyes, lips, and face. They are cruelty-free and offer makeup products like eye shadows, lipsticks, and eyeliners, among other items. Their prices range from $2-$25 depending on the product you would like to purchase and the quantity you would like to purchase it in. They also have a wide range of cruelty-free skincare products free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, among other harsh chemicals.
16. Anastasia Beverly Hills
Anastasia Beverly Hills is known for its brow products and lipsticks, liquid eyeliners, etc. They are cruelty-free and focused on making their makeup products with the highest quality ingredients. They offer a wide range of products from eyeshadow palettes to lipsticks at an affordable price of $10-$45. Their price range is quite affordable given how high their ingredients are and how long-lasting some of these products can be compared to other brands that may charge less but may not deliver the same quality.
17. Coloured Raine
Coloured Raine is known for carrying a wide range of makeup at a reasonable price. They offer a wide range of products including eyeshadows, lipsticks and more that come in different shades and sizes depending on the quantity you would like to purchase. The brand is cruelty-free, vegan and non-toxic! Prices range from $1-$79 depending on the product you would like to purchase as well as the quantity of it you would like to purchase it in. The prices are affordable compared to other brands who may charge less but does not deliver the same quality.
18. Fenty Beauty
Rihanna launched her makeup line in the Fall of 2017 after being approached by LVMH, making it one of the newer cruelty-free makeup brands on the market today. Her line is made up of high-quality products that you can use daily and night without worrying about their ingredients. They are also vegan and cruelty-free. Most of their products are vegan, but a few come with animal byproducts. Prices range from $30-$100 depending on the product you would like to purchase and the quantity of it you would like to purchase it in.
19. PÜR Cosmetics
Pür Cosmetics is one of the newest makeup brands. They are cruelty-free and offer a wide range of lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow, and other items. Prices range from $13 to $50 depending on the product you would like to purchase and the quantity of it you would like to purchase it in. They also offer a wide range of skincare products to help your skin look healthy and radiant for less!
20. Makeup Revolution
Makeup Revolution is one of the newer cruelty-free makeup brands. The brand offers a wide range of products, including lipsticks, liquid eyeliners, and powders, among other items, at an affordable price of $3-$23. They also offer a wide range of skincare products to help your skin look healthy and radiant for less!
FAQ
1. What is the difference between vegan, cruelty-free and green beauty?
Vegan: Vegan companies do not test their products on animals. They do not use any animal-derived materials such as beeswax in their products.
Cruelty-free: Cruelty-free companies test their products on animals by using only human materials. However, they do not test their products on animals.
Green Beauty: Companies that produce green beauty items use natural ingredients such as plants and botanicals in their makeup and skincare products to help restore balance to your skin.
2. Which is the best vegan brand of makeup?
There are no best vegan makeup brands, but there are some that you can trust and produce high-quality products for a reasonable price.
3. Is there a list of vegan makeup brands?
You can refer to the list above, but it is not complete. If you want to buy from a vegan makeup brand, double-check and ensure they are vegan.
4. Do cruelty-free companies test on animals?
Companies that test on animals use ingredients derived from animals, such as beeswax. They also test their products on animals before selling them on the market. However, cruelty-free companies may or may not test their products on animals depending on which country they are located in and if the law requires them to do so or not.