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Women’s History Month comes directly after Black History Month, offering a two-month long opportunity to uplift and highlight the experience and accomplishments of Black women. In the beauty field, this means celebrating the far-reaching areas we continue to occupy across skin, body, hair care, makeup, and wellness. Black women-owned beauty brands are making strides in both representation and innovation. As a result, they have earned permanent spots in our bathroom cabinets and deserve one in yours as well.
According to the Harvard Kennedy School, only 2.4% of all venture capital funding is invested into women-owned businesses. In a 2021 study focusing on Black women specifically, the percentage was a dismal 0.34%.The stark support gap is in no way a reflection of the quality of said businesses, obviously, but merely a reflection of the systemic inequalities disenfranchised groups continue to face. The economy is increasingly precarious, with both consumers and brand founders feeling the effects. For this reason, many of us are understandably turning to brands and products we feel aligned with, and ultimately good about supporting. With so many wonderful brands out on the market, it can be hard to sift through them all, and that’s where we come in.
At ESSENCE, Black women-owned brands are celebrated year-round, and especially during the months of February and March. For beauty editors and contributors alike who test a myriad of products for their lines of work, they have come to develop a discerning taste in the products that work best for them. Below, find the products we can’t get enough of.
Mecca Pryor, Style Writer
Product: The Rose Ingleton Dark Spot Serum
This product in my nonnegotiable for dark spot treatment, I can’t live without it.
India Espy-Jones, Beauty Editor
Products: EADEM Le Chouchou Lip Softening Balm and PAT McGRATH LABS Dark Star Mascara.
I have about 5 different Le Chouchou balms in my bag as we speak. Whenever I’m out, it’s like playing Russian Roulette when digging my hand in my bag to see which one I randomly pick out (even though I secretly hope it’s “Boba Bounce”).
Mascara is the one makeup product I use daily. After I curl my lashes, I reach for the Dark Star mascara whenever I want to look like Diana Ross (which is always). I’m a firm believer that wearing a good mascara is a complete makeup look in and of itself.
Akili King, Senior Beauty & Style Editor
Product: Oui The People Shape Shifter Massage Tool
I’ve been really into lymphatic drainage these days and this tool makes bringing that experience to my home that much easier! I love to apply my lotion and body oil and then go to work. It helps release tension, get my blood flowing, and depuff from head-to-toe. Highly recommend.
Cierra Black, Contributing Writer
Product: EADEM Cloud Cushion Airy Brightening Moisturizer
From the storytelling, packaging, and product quality itself, I will always sing EADEM’s praises. While the lip balms and calming mist are definitely of note, a product I’ve been loving is their moisturizer. I’ve written about this moisturizer before, but it is one of the top three in my rotation. I am typically a rich moisturizer girl—I like to feel the product on my skin sealing in the hydrating ingredients. What’s nice about this product is that it offers that deep-hydrating feeling without being too heavy, so it’s suitable for multiple skin types.
Brianna Heath, Contributing Writer
Product: Skin-Scent Dry Oil Perfume by Moodeaux in Worthy
I’m really invested in intentionally building my personal atmosphere to reflect my inner aura. Lately I’ve been loving Worthy by Moodeaux. I first picked it up because the name intrigued me. I liked the idea of a daily affirmation of my worthiness wrapped in a veil of sophisticated, vanilla gourmand scent with notes of white tea, musk, and amber. I get so many compliments whenever I wear it and each one reminds me to celebrate that I am always worthy.
Stixx Matthews, Contributing Writer
Product: Oui The People Featherweight Hydrating Body Gloss Oil
This body oil wraps my body in such a luxurious, hydrating sheen and the orange blossom scent is the cherry on top of the cake for the entire application experience.
