BIPOC-Owned Brands

The percentage of POC-owned businesses in the U.S. is substantially smaller than what should be a corresponding ratio, representing the people here. On top of that discrepancy, minority-owned businesses tend to also be smaller companies, often with no employees. When we choose convenience as the main factor for how/what we buy, we inadvertently exacerbate the disparities created by systemic oppression. I’m not saying let’s never ever give Jeff Bezos any more of our money, but let’s at least make reasonable attempts to induce positive change, especially when it’s just by shopping for things we want anyway. Those of us who want moves to be made toward equality are swimming upstream against centuries of reinforced racism, remember:

“it is not the policies we fail to implement that hold back economic growth. Rather, it is the dreadful policies that our governments all too often put in place”

–Heritage.org

1. makeup

CF = cruelty free

• Ace Beaute – eyeshadow, brushes, lashes, stick-on manicures; CF
• Aeva Beauty – highlighters, lippies; CF
• AJ Crimson Beauty – cream foundation/concealer, powder, lippies
• Almeda Cosmetics – lippies, soon: eye shadow/setting spray; CF; vegan
• A.P.D.G. – nail lacquers, makeup, brushes, sponges; CF; vegan
• Beauty Bakerie® – full line, brushes, sponges; dessert themed; CF
• Beauty by Stony – eyeshadow palette, lipsticks, matte lip palette; CF
• BEEQBOX® – F*CKBOY REPELLENT® & other shimmers; CF; vegan
• BLAC Minerals – almost full line, some face brushes
• BLK + GRN – makeup, removers, cosmetic bag, nail care; ‘clean’
• Bossy Cosmetics – lip products; CF
• Cocotique – monthly beauty boxes, et al
• Coloured Raine – full line, brushes; CF
• Danessa Myricks Beauty – full line; CF
• Dimension Nails – nail polish/powders/tools/ embellishments CF; vegan
• DSMD Shop – sponges; CF
• Fenty Beauty – full line, brushes; CF
• Glamlite Cosmetics – almost full line; food themed; CF; vegan
• IMAN Cosmetics – almost full line; CF
• JD Glow – eyeshadow, liner, lippies, glow, 13″x18″ magnetic palette; CF
• Juvia’s Place – full line, brushes, cosmetic bags; CF
• Kalon Kosmetics – almost full line, some brushes; CF
• Kitaka of London – lip glosses; CF; vegan
• Klarity Kosmetics – almost full line, setting sprays; CF
• KA’OIR Cosmetics – eyeshadow, highlighter, lippies, lashes; CF
• Lamain beauty – liquid lipsticks; CF
• Lamik Beauty – brow products; CF; vegan
• LeiLano – eyeshadow palette, lashes; CF
• Loola cosmetics – eyes/lips/cheeks, brushes; CF
• Lovinah – eyeshadow palettes, liquid eyeliner
• LYS Beauty – face products, including brushes; CF; vegan
• Makeup Addiction® – eyes/lips, highlighters, brushes; CF
• MakeUp By Sparkle – lippies
• Maréna Beauté – foundation, powder, blush, lippies, lashes; CF
• Marie Hunter Beauty – lippies; CF
• Mented Cosmetics – full line, nude nail polish, cosmetic bag; CF; vegan
• Mischo Beauty – nail lacquers/base&topcoats, glass file; luxe; CF; vegan
• MIXED CHICKS® – double ended tube: foundation/bronzer; CF
• NASH + PINO – nail lacquers with base and top coats; CF; vegan
• Nue Makeup – eyeshadow palette, shimmer sprays, loose glitters; CF
• Omolewa Cosmetics – almost full line, brushes; CF
• OOO Polish – nail lacquers with base and top coats; CF; vegan
• OVP Beauty – almost full line, bags/cases, lights/mirrors; CF
• Pat McGrath Labs – full line
• Pear Nova – nail polish, lash serum; CF; vegan
• People of Color® – nail polish; CF; vegan
• Plain Jane Beauty – almost full line, brushes, empty palettes; CF; vegan
• Plum Perfect – app which tells you your proper shade from pics
• Propa Beauty – 12 nude lipsticks for tan to dark skin tones + 7 extended shades
• Rooted Woman – nail colors/treatments/base&topcoats/remover; vegan
• Ruba Beauty – sponges, brushes; CF
• Sabreen Cosmetics – lip glosses; CF; vegan
• Sacha Cosmetics – almost full line, brushes; CF; vegan
• September Rose Cosmetics – eyeshadow palettes, sponges; CF; vegan
• Shanel Inc – eyeshadows, shimmer powders, cake liners, CF
• Uoma Beauty – almost full line, sponge; CF
• The Bold Brand – lip products; CF
• The Crayon Case – almost full line, tools; school supply themed; CF
• The Lip Bar – almost full line; CF; vegan

2. skin/oral care

CF = cruelty free

• Aba Love Apothecary – organic plant-based serums, oils, and mists
• Anita Grant – face oils/waters/gel, body oils/butters/jelly; cruelty free
• BASE BUTTER – microfiber pre-cleansing cloth set & an aloe face jelly
• Beneath Your Mask – skin & hair serum, face mask, body scrub, etc
• Black Girl Sunscreen – face and body SPF 30, kids SPF 50
• BLK + GRN – face, body, bath, menstrual, mommy/baby; CF; vegan
• Brooklyn Face & Eye – surgical boutique facial treatments
• buttah. – face/body shea butters, facial cleanser, vitamin C serum
• Camille Rose® – face care including headband, body, kids, lip colors
• Danielle Helena – body butter, lotion, soap, bath tea
• Epara – luxury face and body care
• Eternally In Amber – stylers, accessories, monthly subscription box
• Golde – powder-to-gel face masks
• Hanahana Beauty – ethically sourced shea (body) butters; CF
• hunnybunny – face and body care
• Kalon Kosmetics – face care; CF
• Lauren Napier Beauty – subscription face wipes
• Lovinah – luxury face and body care
• Marie Hunter Beauty – almost full face line; CF
• Mary Louise Cosmetics – face serums/masks & body butters/soaps
• Mint & Ocean Apothecary –
• NaturalAnnie Essentials – face/body/lips, hand sani; NAE10 = 10% off
• OUI the People – recyclable/refillable shaving products; CF
• PLANT Apothecary – face and body care; vegan
• Shea Moisture® – face, body, men, kid/baby; CF
• Shyn – customizable oral care subscriptions; electric toothbrushes
• Smile natural Products – zero plastic nontoxic oral care handmade in Los Angeles, CA; CF; vegan
• SULA NYC® – sustainable face/body care; CF; vegan
• The Honey Pot® Company – feminine care; CF
• Uncle Jimmy – premium men’s grooming products; CF; vegan

3. haircare

CF = cruelty free

• adwoa beauty – line for dry and textured hair
• Afrocenchix – full line, bonnet, microfiber turban; CF; vegan
• Anita Grant – almost full lines for all curl types; CF
• Breezy Tee – satin-lined beanies, towel wraps, headbands/scrunchies
• Big Chop Hair – wigs, clip-ins, sew-ins, bundles, closures; 100% virgin
• Briogeo – full line, tools; CF
• Brush With The Best – detangler brushes by Felicia Leatherwood
• Camille Rose® – full lines for all curl types, supplements
• curlBOX – $20/mo subscription of 4+ product samples, specialty boxes
• CURLS – full lines for all curl types including kids and babies
• EDEN® BodyWorks – full lines for all hair types; CF
• hunnybunny – conditioning shampoo bars
• Jane Carter Solution® – full lines for all hair types; CF; vegan
• Kinky-Curly – full line; CF
• KinkyCurlyYaki – extensions, clip-ins, ponytails, closures, accessories
• Mielle Organics® – full line & vitamins, kids, some skincare
• Miss Jessie’s – full lines for curls, brush, comb, pick, diffuser, night cap
• MIXED CHICKS® – full lines/mens/kids, flat iron, paddle brush, ties; CF
• OVP Beauty – wigs, extensions, argan oil; CF
• Pattern Beauty – products (including ties and pins, etc) for curls
• Rucker Roots® – full line
• Shea Moisture® – almost full line including shampoo bar, color; CF
• SULA NYC® – shampoo, conditioner, serum; CF; vegan
• Taliah Waajid – full lines, including for all types of curls, braids, & locs
• The Mane Choice® – full line & body, men, kids/babies, vitamins
• Uncle Funky’s Daughter – full lines for kinky/curly/wavy
• Uncle Jimmy – premium men’s grooming products; CF; vegan

4. fashion

• AAKS – handbags; hand-crafted in Ghana
• Adele Dejak – handbags, jewelry
• africaboutik – jewelry, accessories, umbrella, clothes, bags
• ALEX AND ANI – jewelry
• Aminah Abdul Jillil – shoes, bridal
• Briogeo – satin scarf
• Brother Vellies – shoes, handbags, belts; luxury leather goods
• Cee Cee’s Closet NYC – jewelry, headbands/wraps, clothes, accessories
• Christopher John Rogers – runway apparel (at NET-A-PORTER)
• CurlCap – hats for big hair, satin-lined hoodie
• Cushnie – luxury evening and resort wear, bridal
• Earth Toned Collective – one of a kind garments and adornments
• EDAS – bags, jewelry, some clothing
• Fresh Soul Tees – closed through Fall 2020
• GabeJade – ties, bowties, headwraps; “100% Ankara cotton fabric”
• Grillets Shop – cosmetic bags, accessories, tee shirts
• Godly Gorgeous – Christian apparel
• Hanifa – apparel
• Kahmune – 50mm, 70mm, 90mm & 110mm heels in 10 nude tones
• Kingsley Leather – belts, bowties, wallets, key rings, pen/glasses cases
• Kinky Brooklyn Girl – T-shirts, hoodies, kid Ts, onesies, movement Ts
• Lamik Beauty – silk beauty scarf
• LAURUS – handbags and accessories
• Love,Cortnie – handbags
• Mama Zuri Style – clothing, jewelry, bags, accessories
• Melanie Marie – jewelry and apparel
• Nubian Skin – lingerie, swimwear, hosiery
• Print Syndicate Inc – clothing and accessories
• Proclaim – mid-rise briefs, bralettes; black and three nudes; TENCEL™
• R-KI-TEKT – wooden bead jewelry, other accessories, Ts, (more on Etsy)
• Rebecca Allen – flats, pumps, and 2-strap heels in five nude tones
• Shoe Bakery – customizable treat-themed shoes and bags
• Shopfe-line – headbands/wraps, jewelry
• Soko – ethical jewelry from Kenyan artisans; women-led
• soleRebels – made-to-order footwear; sustainable materials in Ethiopia
• Telfar – handbags, jewelry, apparel
• The Tiny Closet – made-to-order pieces catered to a capsule wardrobe
• Vision Words – tees, tanks, sweatshirts, accessories
• WASI – clothes, jewelry, tote bags
• Wrap Life – head wraps

5. home

• AAKS – lamps
• africaboutik – furniture, blankets/throws, decor
• Aphrochic – magazines, home decor
• AptDeco – buy/sell furniture in NYC metro area
• Aya Paper Co. – greeting cards, calendars, journal, 9oz soy candles
• BLK MKT Vintage – “black cultural artifacts from across the diaspora”
• Brooke Ashley Collection – stationary, mugs/tumblers, canvas/print art
• Brooklyn Dolly – “20×16” original prints on archival, acid-free paper
• Danielle Helena – soy candles, dish soap bar
• Frequency Of Love By Zoë – portraits of black icons
• Godly Gorgeous – notepads and prints
• Harlem Candle Company – travel (4oz) & 12oz candles, diffusers/sprays
• LIT BROOKLYN – 7oz candles, more (sold out so I couldn’t see sizes)
• Love Notes – 12.5oz & 22oz (3-wick) hand-poured soy candles; vegan
• Mantra Mugs® – mugs. With mantras. (15oz & dishwasher safe)
• Mama Zuri Style – linens, decor, furniture, toys/games, stationery, et al
• Marie Hunter Beauty – 3.5oz & 11oz hand-poured soy/coconut candles
• mind the cork – planters, decor, cards, card holders; made with cork
• NaturalAnnie Essentials – 4 & 9oz soy candles, mugs; NAE10 = 10% off
• Pardon My Fro – shower curtains, coloring book, art prints
• Performance Tempel – resistance bands, lifting straps
• Print Syndicate Inc – blankets, towels, pillows, posters, mugs, stickers
• PUR Home – cleaning products
• Smile Natural Products – zero waste essential oils bottled in Los Angeles, CA
• SULA NYC – candles, reed diffusers, room sprays; cruelty free
• UNWRP – paper and fabric gift wraps, gift bags, cards, stickers
• Vision Words – mugs, journals, sticky notes
• WASI – mug, posters, tapestry, stickers

6. food

• BLK & Bold – coffees and teas – use code BLK15 for 15% off
• Golde – superfood beverage add-ey powders
• Kay’s Kettle Corn – bags of kettle corn
• Kye Teahouse – grown in Hawai’i; shipped in tins
• Marley Coffee – Fairtrade certified; ethically grown/farmed
• McBride Sisters – wine; sustainably farmed/produced
• Partake Foods – allergy-friendly cookies
• Southern Roots Vegan Bakery – some sugar-free; nut free; ships to USA
• SULA NYC® – extra virgin culinary argan oil; organic; sustainable

7. services

• 4D Healthware – virtual health care, clinician-patient engagement
• AptDeco – buy/sell furniture in NYC metro area
• Beyond 12 – connects students to resources, eases transition to college
• Blavity – Multi-cultural news
• Bravo Productions – event planning
• Build Card – alternative to predatory lending for subprime customers
• Care Academy – training to home health aides, dashboard for agencies
• Court Buddy – matches you with affordable, effective attorneys
• Dibs – works with brands to provide loyalty discounts to customers
• Lendit – career advice
• Mercaris – connects buyers/sellers of organic non-GMO commodities
• Opus 12 – converts CO2 into fuel
• Ovamba Solutions – connects investors with African businesses
• Pagedip – web-based doc platform; Shark Tank’s ‘Beneath the Ink’
• Patientory – securely aggregate and share medical records
• Plum Perfect – suggests ‘perfect’ beauty products off photo technology
• Shine – daily self-care texts, inclusive community app
• Sweeten – matches customers with nearby general contractors
• Uncharted Power – Soccket, renewable energy infrastructure

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gratitude to these sources

Black Owned Beauty, Black Wall Street, Blavity, BuzzFeed, census, Cosmopolitan, DOBOBO™, The Glam Twinz, Logical Harmony, Marie Claire, Medium, Prevention, Refinery29, Samantha Ravndahl, Shelbizleee, Sunrise

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