The Best Black-Owned Beauty Products to Shop in 2020

Sisters Miko and Titi Branch developed their Miss Jessie's haircare line while running a salon out of their Brooklyn brownstone in the early 2000s. Their goal was to fill a much needed gap in the then vacant natural hair market. Our go-to product is the line's Leave-In Condish, which is essential for keeping curly, kinky, and coily hair ultra-moisturized on wash day. Simply put, "It works!" Miko exclaims. 

Believe it or not, founder Jacqueline Carrington never wore nail polish growing up, due to the lack of available colors that show against brown skin. But when her three-year-old daughter started to show an interest in nail polish, People of Color came to life in March 2019. "Our brand is special not only for being non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free, and caring about healthy nails," she shares with InStyle. "This line literally celebrates the beauty of people of color, where the colors we curated for our collections [complement our skin.] The various shades of brown skin are the first thought, not an afterthought." 

Known as the most influential makeup artist in the world, the legendary Pat McGrath seldom needs an introduction. But anyone wearing the many shades of her ultra-pigmented MatteTrance Lipstick will surely make one whenever they go. So, what's next for the veteran beauty pro? "Really and truly to continue to push the boundaries, push the formulas — growth. For the brand to be more global," she shares with us. "It’s all about more. It’s about bringing more excellence into the market and pushing the science of makeup." 

Brooklyn-based oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr. Chaneve Jeanniton released her groundbreaking clinical skincare line epi.logic in fall 2019 to help her patients maintain the results from their treatments. But whether or not you've seen the physician, her Master Plan: Collagen Renew Growth Factor Serum, will transform your skin from dry to soft, smooth, and younger-looking within weeks. "It's a lightweight, hydrating growth factor serum, and perhaps my most daring product in the line," Dr. Jeanniton tells InStyle. "It replenishes our skin's growth factors to restore the processes that support healthy-looking, supple skin." 

While Black people should be wearing sunscreen every day, many of the formulas on the market can leave behind a chalky residue — which is exactly why Shontay Lundy created Black Girl Sunscreen. "We are different than our competitors, because we are our customer," she says. "We have created a product that moisturizes the skin while making you look and feel good while being in the sun." 

There's nothing worse than getting a fresh install — whether it be braids or a sew-in — and dealing with the inevitable itchy scalp that goes along with it. Thanks to Taraji P. Henson's new haircare collection, dealing with irritation is a thing of the past. The collection's Master Cleanse and Mint Condition's tri-touch applicators allow the eucalyptus and tea tree oil-rich formulas to be applied directly to the scalp, giving you a minty-fresh clean every time. "What I was noticing was that women were going to get these protective hairstyles and totally neglecting their hair — thinking that just because it was in these protective hairstyles it was safe," the actress told us in December 2019. "But you still have to feed it, you still have to clean your scalp. Your hair cannot grow from your scalp if it’s filthy." 

When founder Nancy Twine decided to launch her haircare line, she already had a lifetime of experience in beauty. As a child, the businesswoman created her own products using all-natural ingredients — then she mimicked those same techniques to bring Briogeo to life. While the products work across every hair type and texture, we love the Curl Charisma line for our natural hair. "Our entire Curl Charisma collection was formulated with a unique complex of rice amino acids, avocado oil, shea butter, and tomato fruit ferment to effectively hydrate, reduce frizz, and enhance curl definition without needing to layer a significant number of products to achieve the result," she tells us. 

The Lip Bar founder Melissa Butler went from being a financial analyst, to creating one of the most successful indie beauty brands of the 2010s. And one of her standout products, Bawse Lady Matte Lipstick, has earned rave reviews for a reason. "It’s special because it literally works for everyone," she shares with InStyle. "It’s this bold, deep, true red that can literally change an entire look. It’s truly the best red you’ll ever meet." We agree. 

Like many other Black women, Desiree Verdejo struggled with clearing hyperpigmentation from her face, especially while she was pregnant with her daughter. Frustrated with the lack of products that were able to give her results, the businesswoman decided to create Hyper Skin. "Our first product, Hyper Clear Brightening Clearing Vitamin C Serum is a gentle yet hardworking serum made up of vitamin C, kojic acid, and a blend of fruit acids and natural antioxidants that drastically tackles dark marks and leaves skin glowing," she shares. So if you're looking to clear up dark spots fast — it's time to get on-board. 

Entrepreneur, speaker, and author Africa Miranda wears a lot of hats, but perhaps the one she wears best is beauty brand founder. Beauty by Africa Miranda was inspired by her travels — making her products the perfect on-the-go companions. "The aloe vera farms of Curaçao are captured within the ingredients of the Hydra Essence Complexion Mist," she tells us. "This truly multi-purpose mist tightens and tones the skin, and can also be used as a scalp refresh for protective styles like braids and sew-ins.”