In celebration of Black History Month, NYLON is running a spotlight series called UNAPOLOGETIC. Every day, we’ll celebrate different aspects of black culture through profiles, interviews, roundtables, reviews, videos, and op-eds. #Blacklivesmatter and we hold that truth to be self-evident.
Growing out your natural hair or working on that flawless glow? We got you. Winter can do some major damage to your skin, so we searched far and wide and into the depths of Instagram to find some awesome beauty brands for your skin, hair, and makeup needs. All of them were created by black entrepreneurs with black hair and skin in mind; many of the products listed are made from all-natural ingredients, too.
And instead of just buying them once and forgetting about them, by following these accounts on Instagram, you can stay updated on their new scents, colors, and releases. Hopefully, you can even find a product that you're obsessed with and recommend it to your friends. We handpicked 30 of our favorite brands that you need to stock up for this week's #BlackFriday list, below.
A photo posted by The Afro Hair & Skin Co.® (@afrohairandskinco) on Jan 26, 2017 at 3:29am PST
The Afro Hair & Skin Co. is an independent Afro beauty and wellness business. They create organic hair and skin products by hand, using natural and locally sourced ingredients.
A photo posted by @thebalmco on Jan 22, 2017 at 8:33am PST
Balm & Co. products are created with the "intention of bringing holistic, planet and people friendly skin care to those near and far," according to their website. Their assortment of cleansers, serums, oils, and more is vegan and handmade with all-natural ingredients.
A photo posted by Foxie Bombs Cosmetics LLC (@foxiecosmetics) on Feb 2, 2017 at 7:29am PST
Foxie Cosmetics is a line of handcrafted bath bombs, soaps, and other body, skin, and hair care. The line is a one-woman show run by Kayla Phillips, a vegan, Texas-based musician.
A photo posted by Folie (@folieapothecary) on Nov 27, 2016 at 11:57am PST
Folie Apothecary is 100 percent natural skin care and hair care handcrafted by Urban Bush Babes co-founder Nikisha Brunson. Mists, serums, oils, and more are available on her Etsy shop as well as stockists like Saint Heron.
A photo posted by A'Naturelle LLC (@a_naturelle) on Jan 18, 2017 at 5:05am PST
A'Naturelle is an all-natural topical skin-care line based out of Philadelphia. They incorporate the philosophy of ancient Indian ayurvedic principles into skin health. They only use plant-based ingredients in their creams, oils, and soaps. With more than 11 thousand followers on Instagram, the brand’s cult following loves their fresh scents of lemon, coconut ginger, and tea tree.
A photo posted by Bekura Beauty (@bekurabeauty) on Oct 25, 2016 at 1:37pm PDT
Bekura (‘bee-kure-ah’) describe themselves as specialty and avant-garde body care. The line of spa naturals helps with fatigued, dry skin and hair. Their beauty recipes are moisturizing, epicurean-grade botanicals such as floral honey nectars, cacao bean, and cold-pressed fruit butters. They don't use any fillers or GMOs, and they're against animal testing.
A photo posted by BASE BUTTER (@basebutter) on Jan 9, 2017 at 5:01am PST
Base Butter is an all natural, multipurpose vegan beauty product with SPF 20 to protect you from the harmful rays. This one product can be used on your lips, skin, and hair. Can you say versatile?!
A photo posted by VEE + COMPANY APOTHECARY (@vee.co) on Oct 4, 2016 at 4:02am PDT
VEE+CO is a cruelty-free, plant- and earth-based apothecary line dedicated to, what it refer to as, the "triangle of life." They focus more on effect than fragrance, and their products can be used by men and women.
A photo posted by Pooka Pure & Simple (@pookalita) on Jan 5, 2017 at 7:16pm PST
Pooka Pure and Simple has gained a large following for its natural body butters, oils, and soaps. Going off of the name, the line uses very simple formulas that are free from all harmful substances such as preservatives, added colors, and sulfates.
A photo posted by Oyin Handmade (@oyinhandmade) on Jan 27, 2017 at 11:05am PST
Oyin Handmade makes hair and body products that are moisture-focused and affordable. The brand specializes in providing products for curly and highly textured hair types, but their whipped body butters are popular too. They can be found at select Target and Sally Beauty Supply stores, or you can purchase online.
A photo posted by Juvia's Place (@juviasplace) on Dec 22, 2016 at 1:35pm PST
Juvia's Place is an eye makeup haven for high-pigmented gel liners and shadows. The shadows come in palettes with African royalty based themes, and they offer extra pots if you run out of your faves.
A photo posted by SACHA Cosmetics (@sachacosmetics) on Dec 23, 2015 at 7:26am PST
Sacha Cosmetics is a brand that specializes in perfecting shades for medium to dark complexions. Its products include lipsticks, shadows, foundations, and more.
A photo posted by Coloured Raine Cosmetics® (@colouredraine) on Jan 31, 2017 at 2:38pm PST
Coloured Raine has a selection of colors for eyes, lips, and nails that are as stunning as they are unique.
A photo posted by The Lip Bar (@thelipbar) on Jan 11, 2017 at 8:32am PST
The Lip Bar might just become your new favorite supplier of vegan, cruelty-free, affordable lip colors, and the fact that they come in an array of colors and finishes doesn't hurt either.
A photo posted by BLACK OPAL (@blackopalbeauty) on Aug 25, 2016 at 10:07am PDT
In 1994, Black Opal was the first to launch a doctor-recommended makeup line for women of color, and it has been staying on top of its game ever since.
A photo posted by KA'OIR COSMETICS (@kaoir) on Oct 10, 2016 at 3:59pm PDT
Ka'oir, by Gucci Mane's bride-to-be, is a line formatted especially for women who want high-pigmented, quality colors in nearly any shade imaginable.
A photo posted by IMAN Cosmetics (@imancosmetics) on Jan 16, 2017 at 12:12pm PST
IMAN Cosmetics—started by none other than the goddess herself—has an array of undeniably beautiful shades for all skin tones.
A photo posted by black|Up Official (@blackup) on Jan 25, 2017 at 10:06am PST
black|Up is a Paris-based line that focuses on perfecting professional-grade makeup for women of color.
A photo posted by MDMflow (@mdmflow) on May 26, 2016 at 5:26am PDT
MDMflow is a U.K.-based makeup line that draws inspiration from the mid-'90s to early '00s hip-hop culture and delivers it in unforgettable packaging.
A photo posted by Fashion Fair (@fashionfaircosmetics) on Mar 4, 2016 at 9:52am PST
Fashion Fair Cosmetics is all for bold colors on brown girls, as seen in their beautifully vibrant makeup and skin-care line.
A photo posted by SheaMoisture (@sheamoisture4u) on Dec 31, 2016 at 3:41pm PST
Shea Moisture has already made itself a staple in the black hair care lane and has now added itself to the makeup scene.
A photo posted by COCOTIQUE (@cocotique) on Jan 3, 2017 at 11:17am PST
Cocotique is making lives easier with their $20 beauty boxes of hair, skin, and makeup products. Perfect for the girl who doesn't quite know what works for her yet, or just wants to try new things without spending too much.
A photo posted by NeoTress (@neotress) on Feb 5, 2017 at 8:47am PST
NeoTress is a monthly subscription that offers naturalistas everything they need for hair care and self-styling. They offer an exclusive hair experience, which packages custom hair tutorials, the best hair products, and the tools chosen for the subscriber’s specific hair needs.
A photo posted by CURLS - Organic Hair Products (@frizzfreecurls) on Feb 6, 2017 at 11:02am PST
CURLS maintains high standards for quality ingredients and product dependability. Founder, Mahisha Dellinger, collaborated with leading cosmetic experts to develop CURLS.
A photo posted by Unsun Cosmetics (@unsuncosmetics) on Feb 8, 2017 at 6:20pm PST
Unsun is a face moisturizer made for people of color to protect their skin. It is specifically formulated with a mineral tint and it is tested on tones that range from olive to dark.
A photo posted by BEVEL (@bevel) on Feb 7, 2017 at 5:53pm PST
Bevel is a brand of premium grooming products and services that are meant to reduce razor bumps and skin irritation. The razors are specifically designed for both women and men with coarse, curly hair.
A photo posted by Ginger + Liz nail lacquer (@gingerandliz) on Feb 4, 2017 at 10:16am PST
Ginger + Liz is a vegan-friendly and toxin-free nail lacquer brand. The collection was created in 2010 by Ginger Johnson and Liz Pickett, friends that bonded over their love of beauty and style.
A photo posted by Nubian Heritage (@nubianheritage) on Feb 8, 2017 at 1:47pm PST
The founders of Nubian Heritage started out as street vendors in Harlem right after college. Their goal was to bring the healing traditions of African black soap and shea butter to their community. They used their knowledge of culturally authentic healing traditions to create natural skin and body treatments.
A photo posted by Madam CJ Walker Beauty Culture (@mcjwbeauty) on Feb 7, 2017 at 2:57pm PST
Madam CJ Walker Beauty Culture is a hair care line that stems straight from the legend herself. Walker was an African-American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a political and social activist in the late 1800s to early 1900s and the brand represents everything she stood for: power and beauty.
A photo posted by Carol's Daughter (@carolsdaughter) on Jan 10, 2017 at 2:02pm PST
In 1993, encouraged by her mother Carol, Lisa Price began creating high-quality products in her Brooklyn, New York, kitchen. As family and friends experienced how her products transformed their hair and skin, she decided to turn it into a company and thus began Carol's Daughter.