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There are plenty of ways to be better allies to the Black community, from donating to the right causes, educating ourselves through books by Black authors, and simply listening to the experiences of Black people. Next to that, it's also important to elevate and support Black-owned businesses.
Black Pound Day, which falls on the first Saturday of every month, began as a day for the Black community in the UK to reinvest their spending power and has now extended to become a way supporters can support Black-owned businesses. That said, these excellent brands are our go-to all year round for their efficacy and innovation.
To help you discover some new brands and products, including everything from haircare that celebrates natural textures to luxurious body care lines, we've rounded up some Black-owned British beauty brands to add to your radar now.
The beauty industry has had a long history of inclusivity issues, but thanks to brands such as Fenty Beauty and UOMA Beauty, we're starting to slowly see improvements in shade ranges. Beauty should and needs to be for all, and we're proud to say that the UK is home to some of the finest Black-owned beauty brands.
Pat McGrath Labs MTHRSHP MEGA: Celestial Odyssey, £60
Legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath has worked on countless shows, celebrities and supermodels. It's no surprise that her makeup line reflects years of experience and carries everything you need for a minimal face or full-on glam.
Pat McGrath Labs do shimmers exceptionally well, with reflective pigments that look almost magical on the eyes. They go on smoothly, even without primer, and look gorgeous as a wash of colour.
This gorgeous face oil contains exactly what you see on the bottle, a no-frills concoction of nourishing omegas and naturally-derived antioxidants to keep skin dewy, plump and healthy.
Provenance and traceability is key for the brand. All ingredients are sustainably-sourced from female suppliers based in sub-Saharan Africa, and are paid fairly for the quality ingredients. While the brand is continuously working towards improving its sustainability creds, packaging is kept to a minimum with biodegradable packing peanuts and recyclable glass or aluminium bottles.
A tool that tackles hyperpigmentation, spots and fine lines while you catch-up on your Netflix queue? Yes please!
This LED (light-emitting diode) mask aims to make high-tech treatments accessible to all skin types and colour. Coming in at under £100, it's also good value for money as it can be used multiple times a week and is a great option for those who can't get to a salon.
Simply pop onto clean skin, select your colour settings (red for fine lines, blue for acne and yellow for hyperpigmentation) and leave for 10 minutes. Wipe clean and store for your next pamper session.
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Mum Bub Hub (MBH) provides wellbeing essentials for every step of the pregnancy journey, with skin-kind self-care products such as soothing nipple balms and herbal soaks.
The brand runs as a social enterprise. Profits from every sale go towards their hub which provides perinatal support to parents, (especially within the Black community) by teaming up with experts in maternity care and psychiatrists.
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Trust makeup artist Naomi Maximen to create the perfect eye palette for fall with rich hues of pumpkin, cocoa, and glistening coppers. Naomi's CV include stints at Bobbi Brown, Estée Lauder, Lancôme to name a few.
Her debut product is a testament to all the years working with the best. Every hue in this palette is velvety smooth and pigmented, and lasts well after the party's over. We can't wait to see what's in store for this promising brand.
Find your new signature scent with niche fragrance brand, Maya Njie. The Swedish-born, London-based perfumer is endlessly inspired by her Swedish and West African culture.
Each artisanal blend is as beautiful as it is chic with minimalist bottles. Try Voyeur Verde for a sophisticated green, aromatic scent reminiscent of wild foliage growing under the warm sun. Meanwhile, soft iris and ylang-ylang create gentlest hint of floral.
Notable facialist Bianca Estelle's no-frills range of skin and bodycare uses scientifically-proven ingredients to tackle all manner of conditions from acne to pigmentation. We're big fans of this Brightening Body Lotion in the winter months. It's an investment at £38, but is chock-full of powerful ingredients such as kojic and glycolic acid to restore luminosity while jojoba and glycerine keeps skin silky soft.
Vitamin Injections London Vitamin B3 Barrier Boosting Tonic, £25.95
A sister brand to Bea Skin Care, Vitamin Injections London centres its range around the most effective vitamins in skincare. Think Vitamin A for fine lines, C for brightening and B3 to strengthen skin's natural barrier and improve moisture.
Dr. Uchenna Okoye is no stranger to our screens. The prominent dentist is responsible for the astonishing teeth makeovers on Channel 5's 10 Years Younger, and often shares oral care tips on her Instagram.
Elevate your daily brushing routine with her range of dental products. The toothpaste (smartly dressed in Nigerian print, no less) is a concentrated formula with hydroxyapatite to protect the outer layers of teeth and fluoride, a key ingredient in preventing tooth decay.
Cooling globes are all the range in skincare, as they help with depuffing and soothing any redness. You could simply wrap up some ice cubes in a cloth, but these glass balls take the messy drips out of the equation. Plus, the spheres feel lovely as a gentle massage. Pop them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before using under the eyes, forehead, cheeks and neck in a rolling motion.
The Washday Co Big For Your Roots Shampoo, £18
New on the block is The Washday Co. With a background in cosmetic science, founder Betse Coker creates products that aim to make hair wash days an enjoyable, sensorial experience through nourishing formulas with uplifting scents.
A little goes along way with this shampoo. It's packed with prickly pear and flaxseed oil to deliver intense hydration and shine while effectively removing grime and clarifying the scalp.
Head to the brand's Instagram page for haircare tips and interviews with various personalities about their hair journeys.
Pls London The Arabella Pony, £25
The mission at Pls London, set up by Rachael Nsofor and her two daughters in the midst of lockdown, is to create fabulous wigs at accessible prices - and they've certainly nailed it. The velcro ponytails (pictured here) instantly transforms your look and is easy to use. There are also clip-ins and wefts in various style and textures. Plus, you'll find tips and tricks on wig application and care on the site too. Excellent for wig novices and experts alike.
From edge control brushes to pretty satin scrunchies, make Curly Care your go-to site for styling and hair accessories. You'll find cult-favourite brands such as As I Am and Maui Moisture here too.
Rachael Corson and Joycelyn Mate created Afrocenchix out of a shared need for better Afro haircare and sensitive scalps. Backed by science and infused with natural plant extracts, the gentle formulas works hard to nourish delicate strands. For itchy scalps, try this lightweight oil. It's packed with hydrating grapeseed and almond oils while lavender and eucalyptus leaves scalp feeling fresh - perfect for warm summer months.
Whatever your curl pattern, Holy Curls founder Badria Ahmed wants you to understand and embrace their uniqueness. Her tightly edited range of 5 products simplify wash days and keeps them looking bouncy and healthy. Start off with the shampoo, packed with baobab oil and cupuacu butter to moisturise as it cleanses.
If you're concerned about hair loss (or just want stronger, healthier locks), give Watermans a go. Founder Gail Waterman not only experienced hair loss herself but is also a former hairdresser, so extra care has been given to ensure her products suit all hair types. This shampoo uses a cocktail of rosemary extracts, biotin, caffeine and vitamins to promote healthy hair growth.
A delicious candle to bring a little warmth into the cooler months, with lip-smacking notes of cinnamon, orange and cardamom. It comes as part of a bespoke set too.
Founders Ebi and Emmanuel Sinteh also has excellent taste in bodycare and homeware, so don't forget to give them a browse.
Rose Ovensehi's Flora & Curl is beautiful to look at and even better for your tresses. Expect to find nourishing plant-based ingredients that work hard to keep your curls looking its best. Each product is also naturally scented with fruit and floral extracts. They also do hair accessories, such as these scrunchies, which are perfect for summer updos.
For the prettiest range of affordable hair combs, look no further than Afroani. Use the acetate comb to evenly distribute your hair mask (the Shower Comb comes with a hook-end that easily hangs from your shower) and gently untangle any knots. This set makes for a gorgeous Christmas gift too!
ColorBlend Makeup Hi-Def Invisible Blotting Powder
Makeup artist Kesha Williams knows how challenging it can be to find a translucent powder that's truly invisible. Her brand, ColorBlend Makeup, is specially created to enhance and celebrate Black and brown skin tones. True to its name, this pressed powder mattifies excess shine without caking, and leaves no white cast behind.
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