In case you hadn’t heard, a ton of famous brands and companies are being exposed for sending millions of dollars to the GOP and Trump’s re-election campaign, and your favorite beauty brands are no different. Company board member and family heir of Estee Lauder, Ronald Lauder, was found to have donated hundreds of thousants of dollars to pro-Trump groups. It’s important to note that Estée Lauder is actually an umbrella company, so while some of these individual brands support Democratic causes, Estee Lauder still still runs the show. These companies include M.A.C Cosmetics, Too Faced, Bumble and bumble., Smashbox, and more. Estée Lauder has put out a statement calling for the removal of Lauder from the company board. “Ronald Lauder’s involvement with the Estée Lauder Companies is damaging to our corporate values, our relationship with the Black community, our relationship with this company’s Black employees, and this company’s legacy,” the letter stated.
Although Estee Lauder released this letter and pledged to donate $1 million to support Black communities (employees rightfully requested the donation figure be raised to $5 million), there isn’t a great reason to support big name buisnesses that donate money to organizations that don’t align with your values when there are so many better alternatives. Influencers and brands on Instagram, such as CoCo Kind, have begun to compile lists of beauty and wellness brands founded by Black women that we should all be supporting.
While singing petitions, donating to various organizations, calling your reps, and showing up to fight racial injustice is extremely important at this time, supporting BIPoC and Black women-owned businesses at this time — and moving forward — is extremely important to do, too. Here are just a few Black womxn-owned brands you should start supporting now if you aren’t already:
This all natural skincare brand, founded by Abena Boamah-Acheampong, is on a mission to disrupt the global beauty industry with transparency, sustainability, and accessibility.
Monique Rodriguez, a registered nurse with a background in science and health, founded this growth and moisture-focused haircare brand which can be found online or at Sally, Target, Walgreens, and a number of other stores.
Inspired by New York’s vibrant culture, Biogeo and founder Nancy Twine are serving clean and conscious hair care products, easily located online or at your local Sephora.
Honey Pot is made by people with vaginas for people with vaginas, what more reason to support do you need? Founder Bea Dixon is one of only 40 women of color to raise $1 million in venture capital. Let’s support Honey Pot and WoC-owned companies to keep that number rising.
Pat McGrath’s collection of colorful matte lipsticks, eyeshadows, and more will excite any makeup enthusiast. Available in stores across the globe and also online.
This family-owned company led by Diana Marcelin and located out of Atlanta, Georgia crafts beautiful, natural, handmade bar soaps and bath products that are a wonderful alternative to any big-name soap and lotion brands.
Founded by Sharon Chuter and with core values like empowerment, inclusivity, beauty rebellion, African pride, self expression, and colorful living, UOMA creates exciting and fun face, lip, and eye products that every makeup lover would be obsessed with.
Golde has been supplying good vibes and wellness since 2017. Co-founded with her partner, CEO Trinity Mouzon Wofford is creating superfood-based skin products that can be found online as well as at Sephora stores.
Available online and at Target, Nyakio Kamoche Grieco curates a collection of restorative oils, cleansers and moisturizers to help you nourish your skin.
Anita Grant’s health and wellness company provides all-natural skin and body care, as well as all natural hair products for curls.
Founder and CEO Karen was inspired to create this thoughtful brand in order to change the way razors are marketed. OUI the People sells razors, ingrown hair products, and moisturizers to all people who need it.
Don’t forget about the nail polish! Triple O Nail Polish, founded by Symantha Wechie-Onyechi, offers affordable, colorful nail polish sets that are an absolute must-have.
Founded by KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson, Mented Cosmetics creates stunning and perfectly pigmented makeup products to match your skin tone.
Desiree Verdejo of Hyper Skin creates nourishing skin care products that focus on hyperpigmentation and work to enhance glow.
Certified aromatherapist Aba Gyepi-Garbrah values mindful beauty, the natural way. These oils, perfumes, and skincare products are holistic and hand-crafted.
Sannae Hopson’s products include soaps, scrubs, face washes, ans serums, all made with well-researched, active, natural ingredients. Shop Dame’s products here.
Image via UOMA Beauty on YouTube
MORE FROM BUST
5 Feminist Collectives For Women Of Color Mobilizing On The ’Gram
Black Woman-Owned “The Honey Pot” Attacked Online: Let’s Talk About Intersectional Feminism
This Beauty Company Wants To Help You Pay Off Your Student Loans
