5 Beauty Entrepreneurs to Celebrate This Black History Month and Beyond

As we get ready to wrap Black History Month, we don't want to forget a few of the women who constantly help us feel beautiful with their bestselling beauty brands. Thanks to these companies, we've had shinier, healthier hair; bright, even skin and longlasting makeup.

To learn more about the products that saved us and the strong women behind them, continue reading. We've gathered five Black female entrepreneurs who are revolutionizing their industries.

Maya Smith — The Doux

There was a time when we felt we needed to spend extra money to get the adequate care for our textured hair. With The Doux, Maya Smith offered affordable products anyone could buy from their local drugstore. More importantly, they actually work.

The brand offers a variety of items to tailor to your needs, whether its hydration, damage repair or curl enhancement. They truly have it all. Plus, they've perfected the art of aesthetically pleasing packaging, which always makes our hair maintenance days more enjoyable.

 

Also read about: How Maya Smith Is Closing the Texture Gap With Her Family-Ran Haircare Business, The Doux

 

Olamide Olowe — TOPICALS

We'll be the first ones to say TOPICALS is a lifesaving brand. It's one of the few we've tried where we actually see results—and quickly. But even so, the brand reminds us that it's okay not to have the picture-perfect skin you see on every other website. In fact, Olamide Olowe founded TOPICALS in 2020 to change the stigma surrounding blemishes.

TOPICALS will help soothe your eczema and fade your dark spots, but at the same time, it reminds you that you can still feel beautiful while you're in the healing process.

 

Monique Rodriguez — Mielle Organics

We take it back to basics with Mielle. Monique Rodriguez provides simple but effective products to strengthen your hair. You won't see an ongoing list of hundreds of ingredients. It's a simple as natural oils and biotin to provide the most effective concoction. After being in production for a decade, you can now find Mielle in many pharmacy and big-box stores.

 

Chichi Eburu — Juvia's Place

It's no secret that makeup companies haven't been kind to women with darker complexions since the beginning of time. To this day, you still will find brands who refuse to go into the deep category, and even when they do, the shade may look ashy or orange when applied.

Chichi Eburu is putting an end to this by uplifting rich and deep skin colors in Juvia's Place. You can find everything, from the lightest of light to, especially, the deepest shades.

Aside from foundation, the brand also offers blush, eyeshadow palettes, lip glosses and more. Using these products, the pigment will actually appear on skin—and vibrantly so.

 

Shontay Lundy — Black Girl Sunscreen

There's a myth people with naturally tan and deep skin tones have been told for years: their skin is naturally equipped for UV protection and there's no need to wear sunscreen. But it's far from true, and Shontay Lundy is educating people on the need for SPF, regardless of your tone.

Through Black Girl Sunscreen, Shontay provides SPF 30, 45 and 50. She even sells a version for kids and men—as well as different finishes, scents and products for your lips. The best part? None of it leaves that terrifying white cast across your face and body.

 

Curious to discover even more Black entrepreneurs? Click HERE to meet Launi King and learn how she nurtured her creative spirit with her inclusive brand Creative Play.