#BlackBeauty Archives - Voir Fashion https://www.voirfashion.co.uk Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:39:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.6.17 The Lipstick Files: Shades That Were Made for Us, Not Just Marketed to Us https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/the-lipstick-files-shades-that-were-made-for-us-not-just-marketed-to-us/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-lipstick-files-shades-that-were-made-for-us-not-just-marketed-to-us Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:37:05 +0000 https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/?p=96379 For far too long, beauty aisles were built for one shade of “universal.” Women of colour have spent decades mixing, blending, and compromising to find a lipstick that actually celebrates their complexion, not cancel it out. But that era is over. The new generation of beauty isn’t just about inclusivity — it’s about intention. These […]

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For far too long, beauty aisles were built for one shade of “universal.” Women of colour have spent decades mixing, blending, and compromising to find a lipstick that actually celebrates their complexion, not cancel it out. But that era is over. The new generation of beauty isn’t just about inclusivity — it’s about intention. These are the lipsticks that see us, serve us, and slay in every tone. From bold reds to rich berries and nudes that feel like skin, not chalk, here are the shades and brands that were made for us — not just marketed to us.Pat McGrath Labs: The Mother of All LipsticksWhen Pat speaks, we listen. Her LuxeTrance and MatteTrance formulas are creamy, ultra-pigmented, and built for depth. The reds are regal, the browns are rich, and the berries? Iconic.
Must-Have Shade: “Elson 4” — a fiery red that looks divine on deep skin with warm undertones.

Fenty Beauty: The Disruptor That Set the BarRihanna didn’t just launch a beauty brand—she launched a movement. Fenty’s Stunna Lip Paint in “Uncensored” is a true red that flatters every skin tone, no question.
Must-Have Shade: “Unveil” — a decadent brown for soft glam and bold moments alike.

Colé: Beauty Built for MelaninFounded by Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye, Ami Colé is designed with melanin in mind. Clean, hydrating, and glow-enhancing, their lip oils and lip tints bring a sheer, buildable vibe that lets your skin shine through.
Must-Have Shade: “Excellence” Lip Treatment Oil — a subtle wash of berry that enhances without overpowering.

Mented Cosmetics: Nudes That Actually NudgeBuilt on the idea that nude shouldn’t mean beige, Mented crafts nudes that feel natural on brown and Black skin. No ashy undertones. No settling. Just perfection.
Must-Have Shade: “Dope Taupe” — the neutral that feels like your lips, only better.

£ £13.00 Regular price

Mented Dope Taupe

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UOMA Beauty: Bold Color, Bigger MissionFounded by Nigerian-born Sharon Chuter, UOMA is high-glam with heritage. Their lipsticks are statement-makers in both pigment and purpose.
Must-Have Shade: “Maya” — a deep terracotta-red that pairs like magic with gold highlighter.

Beauty Bakerie: Sweet, But StrongThis Black-owned brand is known for long-lasting formulas and delicious colour stories. Their liquid lipsticks are smudge-proof and selfie-proof.
Must-Have Shade: “Waffle Things” — a moody plum that looks luxe in low light.

Juvia’s Place: Pigment PowerhouseBeloved for bold eyeshadows, Juvia’s lip range brings the same energy. Think high-impact color for high-impact women.
Must-Have Shade: “Toffee” — a warm brown nude perfect for layering or wearing solo.


These aren’t just lipsticks. They’re affirmations. They say: you are seen, you are stunning, and you were never too much — the market just wasn’t enough. Until now. The beauty game has changed, and these brands didn’t just make space for women of colour — they built thrones. Wear the shade. Own the moment. Run the file.

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]]> 10 Black Owned Makeup Brands You Need To Try Out https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/10-black-owned-makeup-brands-you-need-to-try-out/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=10-black-owned-makeup-brands-you-need-to-try-out Wed, 23 Feb 2022 13:33:30 +0000 https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/?p=50598 February is Black History Month in American and Canada, and what better way to celebrate than by supporting Black owned businesses. Here are 10 Black owned makeup brands you need to check out now!

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]]> February is Black History Month in American and Canada, and what better way to celebrate than by supporting Black owned businesses. Here are 10 Black owned makeup brands you need to check out now!

Beauty Bakerie

Beauty Bakerie, founded by Cashmere Nicole, has the cutest bakery inspired products we have ever seen! Not only are their products to die for, but their packaging is top tier. Packaged in an adorable bag of flour inspired packaging, their Oat Translucent Flour Setting powder has a colorless formula that covers all pores and imperfections.

Juvia’s Place

@juviasplace

The Glam Life . Easy Transformation with Juvia’s Place Products . 😍

♬ original sound – Juvia’s Place

Juvia’s Place has some of the most surreal palettes out there. From their themes to their colour payout, Juvius Place products are detail oriented and creative. The Warrior Eyeshadow Palette gives you high pigment and blendability.

Uoma Beauty

Uoma Beauty by Sharon C focuses on diversifying beauty and making a positive impact with their clean vegan products. Their Badass Icon matte lipstick comes in 19 different shades, each named after an important woman in history, applies like butter.

Fashion Fair

Inspired by the glamour of Black women, Fashion fair creates elegant makeup for those with darker skin tones. With a medium coverage and an easy application, their FF Skinflex stick foundation is a Fashion Fair must have.

Sacha Cosmetics

Sacha Cosmetics is a Caribbean brand committed to developing exquisite makeup products for women of color. Their Eyeshadow palette has every color in the rainbow, from neutral to vibrant shades.

The Lip Bar

The Lip Bar is a standout brand, founded by women of color, that centers inclusion in their mission. Lip Bar products are high quality and easy to use. Picking up their best-selling lip product, Bawse Lady Liquid Matte Lipstick, is the best way to get to know this magical brand.

AJ Crimson Beauty

Founded by celebrity makeup artist, AJ Crimson, this Black owned business has perfected making makeup for all different skin tones. AJ Crimson invites you to accentuate your natural beauty with the Perfection Priming Soufflé. This primer offers you a poreless base for a smooth complexion.

Black Opal

For over two decades, Black Opal has created superb makeup and skincare products for women of color. They offer a vast array of products for an honest and affordable price. Black Opal’s Precision Eye Definer is a smooth pencil liner that will add a touch of color to your eye looks.

Black Radiance Beauty

Black Radiance Beauty celebrates the inner and outer beauty of Black women, and encourages women of color to find self-acceptance in their skin. This positive brand has award-winning products like their, Brilliant effects lip gloss that comes in six shimmering shades, giving your lips a juicy shine.

Black Up

The French Black owned brand, Black Up, makes products with tan and darker skin tones in mind. Black Up sells makeup as well as fragrances, skincare, hair products, and more. Their Full coverage cream foundation is available in 17 medium to dark shades and gives you flawless coverage.

Check out our interview with the inspiring Founder, Sharon Chuter, of Uoma Beauty in Issue 25: Meet The New Gen Warriors.

Words By Julia Bastos

Photo Credit – The Lip Bar Instagram

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]]> Glossier Are Renewing Their Grant Program For Black-Owned Beauty Businesses https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/glossier-are-renewing-their-grant-program-for-black-owned-beauty-businesses/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=glossier-are-renewing-their-grant-program-for-black-owned-beauty-businesses Mon, 17 May 2021 16:07:38 +0000 https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/?p=25868 Spring 2020 saw the beauty giant select 16 hand-picked businesses and offer advisory support and loans ranging from $10,000- $50,000 to boost equality, inclusion, and representation in the beauty world. Riding on the resounding success of the last year, a whole new batch of beauty entrepreneurs can have a chance to grow with one of the biggest beauty brands in the game.

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Great news! Glossier’s grant program is back.

Spring 2020 saw the beauty giant select 16 hand-picked businesses and offer advisory support and loans ranging from $10,000- $50,000 to boost equality, inclusion, and representation in the beauty world. Riding on the resounding success of the last year, a whole new batch of beauty entrepreneurs can have a chance to grow with one of the biggest beauty brands in the game.

This year, there will be 10 winning businesses that will each receive a grant of $50,000, 6 months worth of business guidance and 1:1 support from the Glossier team. Looking for promising beauty brands that produce and sell products for the face, body and hair – Glossier is dedicated to driving inclusivity in the beauty world.

Writing on their website, CEO and Founder Emily Weiss said: “Our mission is to inspire everyone to find joy and confidence in their personal beauty style, and to achieve that, we’re building a new kind of beauty company: one that empowers people to be their own beauty expert. We’re also energized by the opportunity to play a role in democratizing and diversifying the beauty ecosystem more broadly, which starts with supporting the next generation of beauty startups and entrepreneurs through initiatives like our Grant Program.“

Applications for the 2021 programme open on the 27th of May and details of how to apply are on the Glossier website.

Words By Rosina Findlay

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]]> Our Top Beauty Brands Supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/beauty-brands-supporting-the-black-lives-matter-movement/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=beauty-brands-supporting-the-black-lives-matter-movement Fri, 05 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/beauty-brands-supporting-the-black-lives-matter-movement/ As America burns in protest, our attention has been drawn to ways we can recognise and actively break down not just overt racism in the form of police brutality, but ingrained, institutionalised racism that is chosen by many to only sometimes be seen, only sometimes be heard, but yet it is always felt. Where signing […]

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Pat Mcgrath Labs, Pear Nova, The Crayon Case, Fenty Beauty, Beauty Bakerie and Dizziak
Pat Mcgrath Labs, Pear Nova, The Crayon Case, Fenty Beauty, Beauty Bakerie and Dizziak

As America burns in protest, our attention has been drawn to ways we can recognise and actively break down not just overt racism in the form of police brutality, but ingrained, institutionalised racism that is chosen by many to only sometimes be seen, only sometimes be heard, but yet it is always felt. Where signing petitions and donating to funds are necessary short-term acts of activism, we must consider long term physical courses of action we can all make to ensure change.

A brilliant, well-articulated video (you can find it here) from Paul Carrick Brunson has circulated on Instagram, explicitly listing five things we can all do to support the Black Lives Matter movement; one being to financially support and buy from black businesses. The idea of this being that it increases black employment and filters money into the black community. He very powerfully stated that in the US, for every dollar put into the Asian community, it will bounce around enriching other Asian people for an average of 28 days. In the black community, it lasts less than six hours before bouncing right out again. It’s plain and simple: endorsing and choosing to spend your money at black-owned businesses will have a bigger impact than you think. When you have shared every white privilege post and hashtag there is on social media, put your money where your mouth is and as Rihanna said, pull up.

On the flip side of this, your reasoning behind supporting these businesses should not only be because they’re owned by black people, but because more importantly, they are good brands. Nobody wants your pity pounds. Support them because their products are excellent and their service is outstanding and their ethics are admirable, like you would any other brand and then continue to do so.

So, let’s start with beauty – an industry which more often than not, lacks representation in all aspects, from influencer brand deals to shade ranges and a repeatedly biased definition of the term ‘nude’. Spend your coin and spend it wisely. Here are 10 black-owned beauty brands that you should buy from and five other brands that took no time acknowledging exactly how to support the BLM movement and consequently, are worth an honourable mention too.

UOMA Beauty and Nuban Beauty
UOMA Beauty and Nuban Beauty

Uoma

Check it out here: https://uomabeauty.com/

51 foundation shades. If that isn’t inclusivity then I don’t know what is. This Nigerian born but LA and London founded brand by Sharon Chuter is created for all. ‘At UOMA we are an empowered tribe. Our race is human, our people are free, our language is colour. All are welcome to our beautiful tribe.’ Think culture meets freedom of colour and expression with its *stunning* collections endorsed by no other beauty guru heroes than Jackie Aina and Patrick Starrr.

Nuban Beauty

Check it out here: https://nubanbeauty.com/

This Nigerian cosmetic brand focuses on creating affordable high-quality, products in Africa with an international standard. Founder Stella Ndekile, a Lagos based Medical Laboratory Scientist and part-time makeup artist partnered with celebrity make-up artist Jane Ogu to create this brand of premium makeup accessible to all. Shipping around the world, you’d be missing out if you weren’t to check out its eyeshadow palettes. Did somebody say the word pigmentation?

Beauty Bakerie and Dizziak
Beauty Bakerie and Dizziak

Beauty Bakerie

Check it out here: https://www.beautybakerie.com/

Cashmere Nicole founded the brand in 2011 after overcoming a multitude of hurdles in her life including becoming a single mother at a young age, enduring college and nursing school and later undergoing a double mastectomy in a battle against breast cancer. Through this was the birth of Beauty Bakerie, accompanied by the brand motto ‘better, not bitter.’ This brand with a remarkable story is well known for its best-selling Flour Setting Powder, which adheres to its baking brand identity appreciated by those of us with a sweet-tooth.

Dizziak

Check it out here: https://dizziak.com/

British ex- magazine journalist Loretta De Free founded Dizziak London, a haircare brand made for everyone and every hair type. The brand’s Afro-futuristic logo is one to look out for and especially worth checking out if you’re somebody whose hair is thirsty for moisture. Try its Hydration Wash and Deep Conditioner for yourself and join the aphrodisiac stan club.

Lauren Napier Beauty and Oui the People
Lauren Napier Beauty and Oui the People

Lauren Napier Beauty

Check it out here: https://www.laurennapier.com/

When it comes to the removal of makeup, we are used to the wipes, micellar waters and face halos of the world, but have you heard of Lauran Napier Beauty’s Cleanse, Flaunt and La Rose cotton cloths? Not only do they claim to remove even the most stubborn and waterproof scraps of makeup, but simultaneously prep and hydrate your skin too, meaning they can be used for instant refreshment popped in your handbag. These premium unisex clothes have been featured in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar and could be a fitting luxury gift item for a loved one or a treat to yourself. Reseal them and reuse.

Oui the People

Check it out here: https://www.ouithepeople.com/

Extending to the more deluxe end of our price scale, Oui the People have designed the premium shaving experience for all. You cannot notice this brand without being drawn to its celebratory ethos and commitment to reconstructing language around shaving and beauty standards for women. Its razors are made for women, rather than a male-catered razor repackaged in pink. These steel, refillable and reusable razors make for a fabulous, eco-friendly alternative to the 2M plastic razors that end up in landfill every year.

The Crayon Case and Fenty Beauty
The Crayon Case and Fenty Beauty

The Crayon Case

Check it out here: https://www.thecrayoncase.com/

A cosmetic line dedicated to amateur makeup users – genius. A fun and playful brand that simplifies and enables the sometimes complicated and overcrowded beauty industry with quirky products, at an affordable price point too. Recommended are its stunning palettes with shadows that will pop, and the highlighter concealer which comes in 30 shades from cool to deep tones, including colour correcting shades too. AND these are all packaged in multicoloured pen packaging, that is like no other.

Fenty Beauty

Check it out here: https://www.fentybeauty.com/

When Rihanna decided she was entering the beauty industry, she made ground-breaking waves. Where it is a given that this incredible brand needs no introduction and has achieved mass success in its own right, it is important to remember why a brand like Fenty Beauty continues to do so well four years after its launch; innovative products and extensive shades with inclusive campaigns and a clear brand identity that caters to all.

Pat Mcgrath Labs and Pear Nova
Pat Mcgrath Labs and Pear Nova

Pat Mcgrath Labs

Check it out here: https://www.patmcgrath.com/

Make room for an OG. When Vogue Editor Anna Wintour coins you as ‘the most influential makeup artist in the world’, it’s not surprising that for over two decades, Pat McGrath has shaped the global fashion and beauty industry and regularly directs runway makeup for all major fashion weeks. When she launched her own brand in 2016 the same integrity and passion was poured into her makeup, leading to no shock when Naomi Campbell became the new face of the brand this year.

Pear Nova

Check it out here: https://www.pearnova.com/

Awarded the Essence Best In Black Beauty 2020 prize, Pear Nova is designed in Chicago, made in the US, cruelty-free, vegan friendly and 5 free, which means no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, toluene, and dibutyl Phthalate DBP – all things that like myself, you probably didn’t even realise were in nail polish. You can custom create your very own collection online too; a supernova in the nail industry for sure.

: 5 Honourable Mentions

Glossier

Check it out here: https://www.glossier.com/

Glossier is donating $500k across the Black Lives Matter, the NAACP Legal Defence and Educational Fund, The Equal Justice Initiative, The Marsha P. Johnson Institute and We The Protestors organisations. It is also donating another $500k in the form of grants to black-owned beauty businesses.

Sunday Riley

Check it out here: https://sundayriley.com/

Founder of the brand Sunday Riley attended the same school as George Floyd and has chosen to donate $50,000 to the NAACP Legal Defence and Educational Fund.

Nails Inc

Check it out here: https://www.nailsinc.com/

During the month of June, Nails Inc will be donating 100% of its US profits to Black Lives Matter.

Dermalogica

Check it out here: https://www.dermalogica.co.uk/

The brand stated on Instagram it will be donating to the NAACP, having conversations at work about race and white privilege and encouraging employees to have these at home too, and also educating itself on the work that needs to be done and supporting organisations that are fighting for equality.

Herbivore Botanicals

Check it out here: https://www.herbivorebotanicals.com/

In place of making a one-off donation, Herbivore Botanicals have stated it will be donating 100% of its profits from last weekend to Black Lives Matter, The Minnesota Freedom Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Click on all the above links to find out more information, be educated and learn how to donate.

Words by Amy Arfi

Graphics by Katie Janes

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]]> Curl Power: Afro Beauty By Tracee Ellis Ross https://www.voirfashion.co.uk/post/curl-power-afro-beauty-by-tracee-ellis-ross/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=curl-power-afro-beauty-by-tracee-ellis-ross Mon, 14 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voirfashion.co.uk/curl-power-afro-beauty-by-tracee-ellis-ross/ Tracee Ellis Ross pours her activist energy into her curl embracing hair line that has been 20 years in the making. Today, we’re honouring Tracee Ellis Ross. No, not for her fabulously hilarious ‘rich aunt’ style Insta videos featuring her on vacation (which we all love), but for her new hair brand Pattern Beauty which […]

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]]> Tracee Ellis Ross pours her activist energy into her curl embracing hair line that has been 20 years in the making.

Tracee Ellis Ross photo montage by Luke Walwyn
Tracee Ellis Ross: Curl Power

Today, we’re honouring Tracee Ellis Ross. No, not for her fabulously hilarious ‘rich aunt’ style Insta videos featuring her on vacation (which we all love), but for her new hair brand Pattern Beauty which centres itself on “fulfilling the unmet beauty needs of the curly, coily & tight textured community”.

The Golden Globe award-winning actress who starred in Black-ish and is currently producing spinoff Mixed-ish has always been an activist in her work. Sitcom Girlfriends gave an insight into the everyday experiences of a diverse group of African American women in the 2000’s and made history for being one of the only shows on primetime television featuring an all-Black, predominantly female cast. Mixed-ish follows in a similar route in the way it illuminates the African American experience, but it mainly focusses on the identity crises of mixed-race children growing up in the 80s.

Certain scenes from the show resonates strongly with the motivating force behind Pattern Beauty, particularly in the way black children are frequently told by teachers or authority figures to control and “neaten” their hair. Mixed-ish as stated by Ross on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah took inspiration from the real-life scenarios of her childhood. Despite having a natural-haired style-icon mother (the Diana Ross) Tracee still felt that:

“Growing up, society told me there was a right way to wear my hair and a right way to look. Those ideals didn’t match what I saw in the mirror, so I tried to beat my curls into submission— putting body lotion in my hair, sleeping in rollers, blowouts, relaxers, texturizers, ponytails so tight they gave me a headache”.

Pattern Beauty compilation by Luke Walwyn

Over time, thankfully, she managed to begin the “healing journey towards loving [her] hair” and Pattern Beauty is most definitely an emblem of this. The range features 7 highly-anticipated products including conditioner, shampoo, washday towels and claw clips all tailored towards 3B to 4C hair types. What is particularly commendable about the range is it’s the affordability – the products range from $9 to $42 – which Tracee pushed for as “everyone should have access to their most beautiful hair” despite their economic background.

At a time where more black women than ever are embracing their texture, initiatives like Tracee’s are much needed. The philosophy of this line stated on patternbeauty.com – “Don’t feel the need to “tame”, “control” or “stifle” your curls & coils”, along with Tracee’s personal experiences resurfaces deeper issues of American society surrounding black, or natural hair.

Only earlier this year was hair-based discrimination officially recognised as a type of prejudice in New York City. Cincinnati on Wednesday followed in the same footsteps and became the second state to make it illegal to discriminate against people with natural hair. Although change is occurring, cases like Andrew Johnson, the high-schooler who was forced to have his dreadlocks cut to participate in a wrestling match in 2018, still occurs.

We can most definitely see the raw authenticity behind Pattern Beauty. We love how its ethos parallels the ‘Black Is Beautiful’ movement of the 60s and how Tracee, by being open about her experiences, helps contribute to a much-needed paradigm shift surrounding big and bold hair. Pattern truly adds to the 21st century natural hair movement by creating “products made by and for us” and we’re excited to see how her line will expand over time.

Artwork by Luke Walwyn

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