
There is no denying that a new norm of inclusiveness and diversity within the beauty business has emerged over the past few years. As a result, several businesses have been making an effort to differentiate from the competition by asserting that they are the best for both customers and the environment. However, it has been shown that many are lying about their sustainability initiatives, the ingredients in their products, and the care they take in manufacturing their items.
So, to ensure you pick the clean beauty brands that are ideal for you, here are 10 Black-owned clean beauty companies that you should be aware of. That way, you can be confident that your beauty brand of choice was developed with you and your world in mind.
Skincare: hanahana beauty
For ladies who are concerned about how they treat their skin and the origins of the ingredients in their skincare products, hanahana beauty is a clean beauty line for you. Hanahana Beauty (stylized as hanahana beauty) was established by Abena Boamah-Acheampong with the intention of upending the international beauty industry, which is notorious for using substances that are oftentimes difficult to understand, to create products that are accessible, sustainable, transparent, and more humane.
This clean beauty company creates products that give women, especially women of color, a smooth and confident feeling in their own skin using raw shea butter and natural oils that are directly imported from Ghana. Over the last six years, the brand has dedicated itself to improving the economic, environmental, and self-sustainability of women who work in the Shea trade in ways that prioritize the health of our skin and the environment by using products that are clean, ethically sourced, fairly created, and never tested on animals.
Unquestionably beneficial for the body, mind, and spirit, hanahana beauty is a wellness brand worth every cent.
Top Products: Amber Vanilla Shea Body Butter, Lavender Vanilla Shea Body Butter, Shea Lip Balm, and more.
Cosmetics: Plain Jane Beauty
Everyone should have access to secure, efficient skincare and body care products, according to the founders of the eco-friendly color cosmetics business Plain Jane Beauty. With products free of synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, and dangerous preservatives, Plain Jane Beauty employs tried-and-true ingredients and fully discloses them. Why? Well, simple: the brand believes that fresh ingredients feel better and uses this belief as its brand's guiding principle.
PBJ, which takes inspiration from the vibrant colors of nature, mixes sustainability and beauty with ethical and aesthetic ideals to provide people the tools they need to look well and do well without sacrificing their feelings of well-being or attractiveness. Plain Jane Beauty is committed to making luxurious, high-performing cosmetics with nutritious, vegan-based formulae, which will inevitably make you feel appreciated and cared for.
Top Products: Creme Minerals Natural and Organic Foundation, Creme Minerals Foundation Stick, and more.
Skincare: 54 Thrones
You might recognize 54 Thrones from a Season 13 episode of Shark Tank. During the episode, founder Christina Tegbeis presented a compelling argument and fantastic branding, and after showing why they were a brand worth investing in, ultimately landed two sharks for a deal of $250K. For the past eight years, Tegbeis has partnered with passionate craftsmen who handcraft the rich components that make up the brand in an effort to showcase the beauty and authenticity of an Africa that is often overlooked. The brand 54 Thrones, which is an acronym for the 54 nations that make up Africa, collaborates with local cooperatives to develop natural cosmetics while supporting “trade over aid.”
In order to create clean yet opulent skincare products that sustainably honor the rich natural resources of Africa and the genuine beauty rituals that have been passed down from generation to generation, 54 Thrones offers award-winning African Beauty Butters, Glow Body Oil, and Moroccan Body Masks that are just right for any consumer.
Top Products: African Beauty Butters, Barrier Repair Cloud Cream, Alata Samina: Black Soap Detox Bar, and more.
Wellness and Supplements: Peak and Valley
The brand Peak and Valley was established in 2015 as a result of creator and neuroscience researcher Nadine Joseph's search for natural remedies to relieve her chronic stress. After months of looking for a remedy, Joseph finally found the botanicals she needed to maintain her skin, mental and emotional wellness. However, in the process of obtaining the proper herbs, Joseph also learned that the herbal trade wasn't as dependable as she originally believed. Like the other creators on this list, Joseph demanded to know where the materials originated from and if they were manufactured with sustainability in mind. When her questions could not be answered, she traveled worldwide to source the herbs herself. Thus, Peak and Valley was born.
Peak and Valley believe that supplement production should safeguard the well-being of all individuals who consume and produce their products. Therefore, Peak and Valley manufactures products with the intention of developing a better herbal trade, one with transparent sourcing, undeniably high-quality ingredients, and science-backed knowledge. It offers herbal supplements designed to improve sleep, reduce stress, care for the skin, and nourish the brain. As a clean wellness brand, Peak and Valley’s mission is to foster relationships directly with the growers of the herbs and the customer who consumes them.
Top Products: Restore My Sleep Adaptogen Capsules, Nourish My Brain Adaptogen Capsules, Balance My Stress Adaptogen Capsules, and more.
Hair Care: Donna's Recipe
Oh, Tabitha, Tabitha, Tabitha. I’d buy anything she’d make, especially if she mentioned it over a 30-second Instagram post, with her Southern drawl, and with little to no information provided. Why? Cause that’s my business. But just in case you want to make her business your business, too, let me explain why you should. Donna's Recipe, established by Tabitha Brown and Gina Woods and titled after Tabitha's Hair, became live in January 2021. Together, they set out with the goal of providing only pure, vegan, premium products for a reliable hair care regimen. The entire product line is made up of nutrient-rich, pure, vegan components that perform well for all hair types to create and maintain natural, healthy hair.
This product, which has only been available for two years, has been hailed for its sustainability, accessibility, and affordability in several reviews and was voted the Black-Owned Beauty Brand of the Year by Ulta Beauty. It has been credited for promoting the growth of healthier hair, hydrating the driest hair, and fortifying the weakest root systems. The mixture created by Ms. Tabitha and Woods could be just what you're looking for, especially if you're looking for a clean haircare line that at last takes your demands into consideration.
Top Products: Strength Hair Oil, Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Shampoo, Sweet Potato Pie Extra Creamy Moisturizing Conditioner, and more.
Cosmetics: The Lip Bar
CEO Melissa Butler, a self-proclaimed Shark Tank reject, channeled her ire at the intrusive one-size-fits-all beauty industry into action by abandoning the lucrative but dreary corporate ladder and turning to her Brooklyn kitchen to make vibrant vegan lipstick. Melissa's unwavering will was further fueled by her Shark Tank rejection, which motivated her to regain control of her own aspirations. She extended The Lip Bar beyond lipstick to become TLB: a top-selling, universally useful beauty necessity. The Lip Bar is entirely vegan, cruelty-free, and made with non-toxic products for non-toxic people with a focus on sustainability.
Top Products: Nonstop Liquid Matte, Just A Tint 3-In-1 Tinted Skin Moisturizer, Fresh Glow 2-In-1 Powder Bronzer + Blush Duo, and more.
Hair Care: Melanin Haircare
Whitney White can be found on Instagram with the alias Naptural85. But you must spend some time watching her YouTube channel to properly understand where she has come from. White was one of the original content producers on YouTube who spent her time making videos that expressed her enthusiasm for natural and helpful hair products. She also shared the recipes and routines she used on her own luscious, natural hair. Years later, Whitney White and her sister Taffeta White have developed Melanin Haircare, a range of natural, non-toxic hair products. Melanin Haircare was established in 2015 with a love for providing the community it serves with high-quality products, distinctive lifestyle options, and natural, non-toxic ingredients for healthy hair and scalp care.
High-quality, all-natural, and non-toxic ingredients are the main emphasis of Melanin Haircare, which is carefully chosen to ensure shelf life and performance improvement. To ensure that they continue to be non-toxic, all of their constituents have been assessed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) of the United States, which makes this a clean brand worth trying. For the greater part of four years, I have used this product, and I have enjoyed seeing my hair go from a dry, brittle mess to a moisturized masterpiece. This cosmetic brand has never let me down, whether my hair was soaring in its fro or loc'd like it is now.
Top Products: African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo, Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner, Multi-Use Pure Oil Blend, and more.Body Care: OUI the People
Do you ever wonder: Where do all the plastic razors go? Well, it is estimated that two billion plastic razors end up in landfills every year, and the personal care industry is one of the largest waste producers. Eh, right? Right. Well, to guarantee that recycling is unavoidable, OUI the People's goal is to deliberately design the packaging for all of their products. Their single-blade razor provides a robust and environmentally friendly alternative to disposable plastic razors since it is made from stainless steel, which is the most recyclable substance on Earth.
Not only that, but several of their other goods, like their body gloss, are created with glass bottles, which are generally made from harmless basic materials and can be recycled or "upcycled." They never settle for anything less than the finest, and each product is designed with the needs of the customer in mind. Their products are devoid of the typical suspects (parabens, synthetic perfumes, phthalates, and animal testing), and their ingredients have been selected for their effectiveness. This beauty brand can be for you if you want body care that is eco-friendly and can get rid of dry skin, hyperpigmentation, hair, and landfill debris.
Top Products: Resurfacing Body Serum, Shave Starter Set, Hydrating Body Gloss, and more.
Skincare: Hyper Skin
Because Desiree Verdejo loved skincare but believed that women of color were underrepresented in the skincare industry, she founded Hyper Skin. As a result, the beauty product line Hyper Skin was created to finally include people with dark skin in conversations about beauty. Hyper Skin recognizes that real skin has texture and dark spots and uses solutions that are highly suited to their needs while still being effective on all skin tones.
The discontent with today's skincare products led to the creation of Hyper Skin formulas, a modern clinical brand with clean, efficient clinical ingredients and strong natural botanicals. With Hyper Skin, give your dark spots the boot and appreciate your new shine.
Top Products: Hyper Even Brightening Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum, Hyper Even Fade and Glow AHA Mask, and more.
Skincare: ROSEN Skincare
Jamika Martin made the decision to revolutionize the acne treatment market after having skin issues and using inferior skincare products. ROSEN Skincare, her business, creates affordable, healthy solutions that effectively treat acne. From cleansers to masks, ROSEN Skincare has a wide selection of cutting-edge and fun products to enhance your routine. In order to concentrate on the prevention and restoration of hyperpigmentation and breakouts in the acne industry, according to Rosen, their regimens use clean ingredients.
Rosen argues that traditional acne treatments have frequently disregarded the issues and skin types of people with varied skin types, and their out to ensure that doesn't happen, again.
Top Products: Earth Cleanser, Super Smoothie Cleanser, Tropics Toner, and more.
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This Is How To Keep 'Holiday Season Stress' From Infecting Your Relationship
Hmph. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like there is something really weird happening in the fall season air (because winter doesn’t officially begin until December 21) that cuddle season is in full swing while break-up season is as well. In fact, did you know that break-ups are so popular during the holiday season that December 11 is deemed Break-Up Day?
The reasons why relationships shift around this time vary; however, I did both roll my eyes and chuckle when I read that a very popular one is because it’s an easy way to get out of getting one’s significant other a Christmas present. SMDH.
Anyway, I personally think that the less shallow folks out here may contemplate calling things “quits” or they at least distance themselves a bit from their partner (and what I’m referring to is serious relationships) due to all of the stress and strain that oftentimes comes with the holidays whether it be financial, familial, due to their tight schedules or something else.
Listen, I would hate for you and your man to miss the fun and happiness of experiencing this time of year, all because you are so overwhelmed or irritated that you can’t really enjoy it. That’s why I have a few practical tips for how to avoid allowing the typical holiday season stress from INFECTING your relationship.
Manage Your Expectations
GiphyUnmanaged expectations. If there is a main reason why the holiday season tends to be so stress-filled for so many people, I’d bet good money that this is the cause. And when you’re in a long-term relationship, expectations can manifest themselves in all sorts of cryptic and/or unexpected ways. You might have relatives who assume that you are going to be with them for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have other plans in mind. You might be thinking that you are going to spend one amount for presents while your man is thinking something totally different. When it comes to scheduling, your signals may be crossed.
And you know what? To all of these scenarios, this is where clear and consistent communication come in. Don’t assume anything. Don’t dictate anything either. From now until New Year’s, mutually decide to check in once a week, just to make sure that you are both on the same page as it relates to the holidays and what you both are thinking will come along with it. The less blindsided you both feel, the less stressed out you will be. Trust me on this.
Set (and Keep) a Budget
GiphyOkay, so I read that last year, 36 percent of Americans incurred some type of holiday-related debt. Hmph. Last year, there was still some sense of normalcy in this country, chile, so I can only imagine what finances are gonna look like over the next several weeks. That said, since I don’t know a lot of people who don’t find being broke stressful, make sure that you and your bae set a budget and then stick to it this year — no ifs, ands or buts.
Because really, y’all — it doesn’t make sense to deplete savings and/or max out credit cards for a few days of giggles only to be damn near losing your mind because you don’t know how to make ends meet come Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
And by the way, this tip doesn’t just speak to things like food and gifts; I also mean travel. If it doesn’t make a ton of sense (or cents) to be all over the place this year — DON’T BE.
Keep Matthew 5:37 at the Forefront
GiphyIf off the top of your head, you don’t know what Matthew 5:37 says, no worries, here ya go: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” That verse right there? Oh, it’s a boundaries lifesaver! I say that because do you see “maybe” or “I’ll think about it” in there? Nope. LOL. It says that you should tell people “yes” or “no” and leave it at that — and that complements Anne Lamott’s quote, “’No’ is a complete sentence” impeccably well. Yeah, you’ve got to remember that anything beyond a yes or no to a request is privileged information; you don’t owe anyone details or an explanation.
Besides, if you are really honest with yourself, when someone asks you something and you give a “Umm, let me think about it” kind of reply, more times than not, you already know what your answer is going to be — so why not let you both off of the hook? Give your response. Commit to that. And let everyone (including yourself) get on with their lives and schedules.
I promise you that when it comes to those holiday parties, you are pissing more folks off by not RSVP’ing or doing so and not showing up than just saying, “Thank you but not this year” off the rip.
Remember That Your Personal Space Is Privilege Not a Right
GiphyA friend of mine recently bought a new house and invited me over to come see it. He’s a single man with no children, so as I was taking in all of the space that he had, especially as I walked through his finished basement, I joked about relatives coming to live with him. “Hell no” and “absolutely not” were pretty much his immediate responses as he went on to say that some folks even had the nerve to be offended when he told them that he had no intentions on taking DNA in.
Ain’t it wild how people think that your stuff is their right? And yes, that brings me to my next point. Your home is your sanctuary space. If you want to host folks this year — cool. If not, ALSO COOL. Please don’t let folks (family included) guilt you into how they want you to act or even into what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot. You are not them — and as one of my favorite quotes states, “If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary.” (A man by the name Larry Dixon said that.)
Hell, my friends? They know that I am good for sending them random things that they need or even want all throughout the year. Coming over to hang out at my pace, though. Uh-uh. Chalk it up to being a card-carrying member of the ambivert club yet I like keeping my living space personal — and I sleep like a baby, each and every night, for feeling that way.
Always remember that your space, your time, your resources, your energy and shoot, yourself period (including your relationship), are all things that are your own. You get to choose how, when and why you want to share them. The holiday season is certainly no exception.
Cultivate Some “You Two Only” Traditions
GiphyIt’s not uncommon for some couples to hit me up after the holiday season to “detox.” Sometimes it’s due to the financial drama (and sometimes trauma) that they experienced. Sometimes it’s because they allowed their relatives (especially in-laws) to get more into their personal business than they should’ve. More than anything, though, it tends to be because they didn’t get enough quality time together and so ended up feeling “disconnected.”
Please don’t let that happen. Listen, I’m not even a holidays kind of woman and yet, I will absolutely sit myself down with some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies to enjoy a Hallmark holiday film or two. Aside from the fact that most of them are lighthearted and sweet, I also like that they usually focus on couples loving on each other amidst all of the holiday beauty and ambiance — which is something that all couples should set aside some time to do.
Maybe it’s a vacation. Maybe it’s a staycation. Or maybe it’s my personal favorite, A SEXCATION. Whether it’s for a few days, the weekend or even overnight — don’t you let the holidays go by without setting aside time for you and your man to celebrate one another. Don’t you dare (check out “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry 'Christmas Sex'?”).
GET. SOME. REST.
GiphyI once read that 8 out of 10 people get stressed out over the holidays and 3 out of 10 lose sleep during to it — and when you’re stress-filled and sleep-deprived, that can absolutely lead to hypersensitivity, making mountains out of molehills and even not being in the mood for sex.
Your relationship can’t afford to go through any of this, so definitely make sure to prioritize rest. I don’t care how unrealistic it might seem during this time, sleep should never be seen as a luxury; it will always and forever be a great necessity.
That said, try to get no less than six hours of shut-eye in (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”) and even ask your bae to take a nap with you sometimes (check out “Wanna Have Some Next-Level Sex? Take A Nap, Sis.”). Not only will sleep help to restore your mind, body and spirit but, when it’s with your partner, it’s an act of intimacy that can make you both feel super connected, even in the midst of what might feel like chaos.
___
Holiday season stress is real. Still, never give it the permission or power to throw your relationship off. Put you and your man first and let the holidays be what they are gonna be, chile.
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Whew. Did you know that somewhere around 122 million Americans travel during the holiday season? Listen, I went to see my godbabies this past September and got caught up in a crazy ass traffic jam at BNA (the Nashville airport) that damn near has me considering air travel ever again — especially during this time of the year.
Besides, it’s not like it’s a written rule that you have to travel over the holidays. In fact, if you want to play it chill this year, why not enjoy a staycation instead? Although it might seem like it’s a “poor man’s compromise,” as you’re about to see, it actually…isn’t.
1. Go All Out with the Christmas Décor
GiphyThere is someone I know who is so obsessed with Christmas, she’s damn near annoying-borderline-terrifying. I’m. Not. Kidding. Yet hey, if you’re going to do a holiday-themed staycation (emphasis on “holiday-themed”), that’s kind of how you’ve got to be. Some décor ideas include:
- A fresh Christmas tree (is the most ideal) that is ultimately decorated
- Wreaths on outside and inside doors
- Garland (with twinkle lights) in predictable and unpredictable places
- Poinsettias
- Mistletoes
- Snow globes
- A stocking (with some of your favorite things in it)
- Fake snow
- Stars
- Angels
- Candy canes
- A BLACK Santa (LOL)
I mean, since you are going to be spending a lot of time at home, it can feel like a mini-winter wonderland if you are intentional about doing more decorating to your living space than you ever have before!
2. Buy a Couple of Christmas-Themed PJs
GiphyWhile I was doing some research on a totally different topic, I happened upon an article that talked about the psychology behind why we should be intentional about what we wear to bed. When you stop to think about the fact that (hopefully) you are sleeping somewhere between 6-8 hours every night, it would make sense that things like the color and fabric of your sleepwear would have a real impact on you — even subconsciously.
Well, when it comes to Christmas décor, specifically, not only does it take you back to nostalgic memories, it can also boost your moods. So, aside from being on-10 with your Christmas décor, also invest in some Christmas-themed PJs. Since you’re going to be doing a lot of lounging around (RIGHT?), do it in something that makes you think about all of your favorite things about this time of year.
3. Cop Some Christmas-Scented Candles
GiphyThere really is no telling how many articles that I’ve written where I am singing the praises of scented soy candles. Candles are soothing, comforting and a very easy way to reduce stress. Also, since it gets darker quicker and for a longer period of time around this time of the year, candles provide a relaxing vibe to your home. Since it is Christmastime, go with scents that are reminiscent of the season:
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Cranberry
- Apple
- Pine
- Frankincense and Myrrh
- Peppermint
- Cashmere
- Ginger(bread)
- Orange
- Sugar Cookies
- Sandalwood
- Cloves
- Cedarwood
- (Hot) Chocolate
Personally, one of my favorite candle companies is Goose Creek. Their signature collections will have your entire house smelling like a high-end bakery. No exaggeration.
4. Play Some Winter-Themed ASMR Sounds
GiphyI’m from Nebraska and my mother was a New Yorker. So, if there is one thing that I like, it’s seasons and that includes snow during wintertime. Unfortunately, Nashville is cray-cray when it comes to that. If, where you live, the weather is all over the place too (which is why I think it’s insane that some people still give pushback to global warming) and you would like for it to at least seem like you are in your own winter wonderland — invest in some fake snow to strategically place around your home.
Oh, and don’t forget to turn on some winter-themed ASMR sounds too. YouTube has videos that run for hours on end that feature blizzards and howling winds that really can make you feel like you are in the midst of an ice storm.
5. Host a Holiday Movie Marathon
GiphyOne thing to remember about a staycation is it doesn’t mean that you have to be alone or that the only people who can participate are the ones who live with you. Since a staycation is simply about staying close to home instead of traveling afar — absolutely consider having some of your favorite people over for a holiday-themed movie marathon. Shoot, Black America Web even did you a solid by publishing “25 Best Black Christmas Movies Of All Time;” plus, Tubi has a Black holiday hits section of indie films too.
Oh, and make sure to get creative with the Christmas-themed snacks. Some ideas? Some Kentucky-fried turkey tenders with cranberry hot sauce (recipe here), some Holiday Hot Spinach Dip (recipe here), some Grinch Kabobs (recipe here), some roasted pecans (recipe here) and some Pomegranate Guacamole (recipe here).
6. Spend a Night (or Two) at a Hotel or Vacation House
GiphyJust like you don’t have to be alone during a staycation, you also don’t have to be cooped up in your house the entire time. Get a change of scenery in your own city by spending the night in a hotel that you’ve always wanted to try out or renting a vacation house for you and some of your folks to hang out in during the time between Christmas and New Year’s Day. I have a “love little sister” who does this randomly when she needs a break from her work as a therapist. She says that it’s damn near like taking a trip (and she has PLENTY of passport stamps; trust me).
7. Have Brunch or Dinner at a Christmas-Themed Restaurant
GiphyIf nothing puts a bigger smile on your face than the thought of DoorDashing meals and barely even touching your stove during your staycation — hey, I am right there with you. Do consider going out to brunch or dinner during your chill time, though. It’s another way to bond with people and create some current holiday memories. And if you’ve got a bae and you opt for dinner, it can be a wonderful type of Christmas-themed date.
8. Go to a Holiday-Themed Concert
GiphyBeing that I got my start as an entertainment writer, hear me when I say that I’m not someone who just has to go to a live concert every chance that I get. Oh, but baby, when I saw that El DeBarge was doing a City Winery tour and he was going to be here right before Christmas — I booked myself a ticket quick, fast and in a super-duper hurry! Shoot, I didn’t even want to go with someone because I plan to give him and that falsetto voice of his my complete and undivided attention. LOL.
I don’t know what it is about the holiday season that makes live music that much more enjoyable — but if there is a concert that features one of your favorite artists happening right through here, consider that to be a cool way to “tour your city” while cultivating a really awesome memory at the same time.
9. Also, Go Ice Skating
GiphyOne of my fondest memories of time with my father is going ice skating. We actually would do it in the summer (because that is when I would visit him) and, every year, he would get me a new ice skating outfit. Even now, when I watch someone ice skate (even in movies; like in the classic movie Garden State), I will have warm fuzzies.
Anyway, if you’ve never been before, go. If it’s been forever since you have, also go. There is something that is very sweet and so signature Christmas about it. Plus, it’s a top-tier form of exercise.
10. Take a Christmas Lights Tour
GiphyAnother one of my favorite Christmas memories is driving through neighborhoods and looking at the Christmas lights. And just like a Christmas concert can be a form of hometown touring, so can doing this if you decide to choose a couple of areas where you’ve never really been or rarely frequent.
Now are you excited about the thought of experiencing a holiday-themed staycation?
I thought you would be. ENJOY!
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