Local small businesses tend to get overlooked, either due to an unawareness of the existence of these brands in general, or skepticism on how well their products work. Well, for the past few weeks, I’ve challenged myself to buy from small black businesses, and here are a few ones that I’ve discovered and love so far:
Loe Cal Cosmetics (@shoploecal)
Based in Atlanta and run by a one woman team, this vegan and cruelty-free black business offers numerous products to satisfy your every makeup, skincare and accessory need. This brand truly has it all, from their highly pigmented highlighters for all skin tones (which are drop-dead gorgeous on women of color), to their sparkly, creamy and non-sticky glosses, to their chokers which can be worn with every outfit and occasion. Loe Cal Cosmetics also offers glittery eyeshadows and a few skincare items. In their individual shades, their highlighters come in two forms: either as buttery powders or as highlighter drops. Caution: due to the unbelievable quality and pigmentation of these highlighters, one might appear to be a living and glowing goddess after application.
glow with loe cal highlighters ♥️ pic.twitter.com/XaAQaONAdE
— LOE CAL (@shoploecal) March 19, 2017
check this out! pic.twitter.com/JL42CQInhc
— LOE CAL (@shoploecal) March 19, 2017
Bahi Cosmetics is another vegan and cruelty-free brand formed by black makeup artist, Danielle Bahi, from Maryland. Valuing healthy skin first and foremost, the owner began dabbling in finding the perfect skin regimen with natural ingredients. As a college student, she started Bahi Cosmetics with less than $3 in her pocket, and with the success of her miraculous skin products, her business skyrocketed from there. Her most prominent product is the Sunflower Sweets Face Serum, a taste of heaven in a small bottle, renown for its natural ingredients that fight acne, reduce redness, lighten hyperpigmentation, and target many more concerns. This brand also offers more skincare items, such as facial soaps, toners and masks, in addition to numerous highlighters, setting sprays, lashes and eyeshadows.
There’s been SO much interest in our Sunflower Sweets Face Serum, we’re gonna do a thread for you guys pic.twitter.com/9QpV7RnZP6
— BAHI. (@BahiCosmetics) February 4, 2017
Bahi wasn’t created to just do the same like other brands. It was created to treat issues and make people happy. That’s all I ask for. pic.twitter.com/6QnI8Fauom
— BAHI. (@BahiCosmetics) March 5, 2017
The Delicate Fox (@TheDelicateFox)
Battling skin problems and tired of products with harsh ingredients and chemicals, owner and now college student Kaelin took the fate of her skin into her own hands. She then began developing her own skin care products, each and every one handmade and vegan. The Delicate Fox dabbles in creating a variety of products. This brand offers heavenly-scented candles and room mists, glittering and moisturizing body scrubs and butters, and curl-defining hair masks, leave-in conditioners and cremes. For skin care, they make facial toners, masks, and cleansers with differing ingredients to address every skin concern.
Golden Glow | Shimmering Body Scrub ✨ pic.twitter.com/gK9HxdmFHL
— The Delicate Fox (@TheDelicateFox) March 21, 2017
The LOC Box | For Kinky, Curly, and Coily Hair pic.twitter.com/SaOxsKMKOO
— The Delicate Fox (@TheDelicateFox) January 21, 2017
BeeLux Goods offers an wide selection of handmade products to combat any issue on any part of the body. Based in Atlanta, GA, BeeLux Goods has anything and everything you can possibly need or want, from facial clay soaps and toners, to body butters with 24k shimmer for either everyday moisture or lightening stretch marks for new or expecting mothers. In addition, this luxury brand offers body scrubs, bath bombs, oils, hair care and shower products of every scent to leave you smelling and feeling like the ethereal goddess you’re destined to be.
Live on the site?✨? pic.twitter.com/I7B8uRwoiu
— BeeLux (@beeluxgoods) October 26, 2016
Even though this article only displays a handful out of many black owned brands that are worthy of applause, the brands depicted symbolize the small business community holistically. Small businesses and their owners deserve recognition for their often amazing and overlooked products. Each of these brands is run by innovative and hard working black individuals, and it’s crucial that we start focusing on supporting black owned businesses. By doing so, we not only distribute money back into our own the communities, but also acknowledge the high-quality and praiseworthy products created.
