From jelly shadows to strobing sticks and powder lips, the beauty industry is constantly churning out new cosmetic innovations. Despite this, beauty brands have lots to learn when it comes to formulating products made for women of color. Foundation shades are so limited it’s criminal, and when a brand does include shades (in most cases 2-3 which is pretty dismal) for darker skin tones, they’re seldom flattering. Unfortunately, once you zero in on clean, non-toxic makeup options, the issue becomes even harder to ignore. It’s not all bad though, because there are clean beauty brands standing up to fill the void and make clean beauty inclusive. Read on to discover some of our favorites.
Founded by Merced Boyce, Blac Minerals is of the belief that beauty should be simple, tone flattering, and amazing for your skin – and we couldn’t agree more. Formulated without phthalates, parabens, sulfates, mineral oils and other nasty ingredients, Blac Minerals successfully crafts clean and conscious cosmetics designed to bring out the best in an array of deep and dark skin tones, “because we deserve products that represent our diverse complexions and ethnicities” (Yes!).
Product we love: Lip Lush Lip Gloss, $18. The shade “Martinique,” is a perfect not-to-sheer, not too shimmery fuschia, made with castor and olive oils and nourishing avocado extract.
When founder Jasmine Rose learned that her mother had breast cancer back in 2007, she did a deep dive into the disease and later reemerged with a mission to live a healthier life. To Rose’s dismay, there were few clean foundation options on the market for women of color at the time, so she decided to create her own line of 100% non-toxic products specially formulated for women of color. The brand’s Foxy Finish Mineral Creme Foundation is known for its seamless, skin-like finish and is formulated with skin loving ingredients like shea butter, and green tea and hibiscus hydrosols – and it’s available in natural matte and satin finishes to appease every skin type. Sold.
Product we love: Foxy Finish Mineral Creme Foundation, $30. This cult favorite foundation is dimethicone, paraben, and silicone free.
After a very public rejection by Shark Tank judges 7 years ago, Lip Bar founder Melissa Butler set forth to bring her line of consciously formulated lip products to life. Designed to complement an array of skin tones and backed the goal to make the beauty world truly inclusive, The Lip Bar offers long lasting lippies in a variety of formulas – from liquid lipsticks, classic lip bullets, to vibrant glosses. The best part? Lip Bar products can be found at a Target near you.
Product we love:Lipstick in Merlot, $13. This buttery formula is made with castor and avocado oils, and nourishing shea butter. The name is pretty perfect for us too, don’t you think?
