I’ve been doing my part to learn more about who actually owns the brands I buy from, and particularly which brands are owned and run by men and women who are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color).
I think it’s important to support these entrepreneurs, CEOs and their employees with my dollars, and not just my social media rants and #blacklivesmatter and #blackoutday2020 hashtags (not that those aren’t helpful in supporting the cause, but at the end of the day, money speaks often louder than words – just like it does for brands who don’t test on animals).
I have been purchasing items from cruelty free, Black-owned beauty brands over the past month or so, and I want to share some of my favorites with you.
Feminine Care – The Honey Pot Company
Let’s start with something many of us buy monthly, but rarely talk about – feminine care products. The Honey Pot Company is a plant-based, female and Black-owned feminine hygiene brand that rose to fame with a national Target commercial that you may have seen featuring the owner, Beatrice Dixon. She is 1 of the first 40 women of color to raise $1 million in venture capital! The Honey Pot Company sells tampons, pantiliners, pads, panty sprays, wipes, and much more.
I really love the lavender panty spray – it’s talc-free, paraben-free, and synthetic-fragrance-free. I don’t think I even need to explain how perfect it is for the hot summer months! It also comes in a jasmine scent.
The pantiliners I purchased were a bit of a shock. I didn’t realize they were infused with mint (along with aloe and lavender), and the cooling sensation was not really my jam. So, I’m not sure if I’d purchase those again, but the cruelty free tampons are a win. They are chlorine-free, fragrance-free and made with bio-plastic applicators (compostable and made from sugarcane). They come in several sizes for different flow days.
Hand Sanitizer and Soap – Organic Bath Co
Something else we can all use right now – hand sanitizer and hand soap! I purchased the Moroccan Rose scented versions of these from Black-owned cruelty free bath and body brand, Organic Bath Co. The company is co-owned by Gianne Doherty, and the ingredients are inspired by her Belizean mother.
If you’re a rose lover, you’ll love these! The scent is perfection. The products are made with essential oils and not those nasty fake fragrances. If you’re not a rose lover, there are other scents for you to check out.
The company also makes cruelty free body butters, body washes, body scrubs, bar soaps, and skincare.
Nail Polish, Gels and Nail Art – Dimension Nails
Dimension Nails is a vegan, cruelty free, Black-owned nail brand. The nail polishes are 10+ free. I am currently wearing a beautiful deep red called Vegan Wine topped off with a gorgeous red glitter called Red Alma.
Most of Dimension Nails’ nail polishes are named after members of the animal kingdom. An animal-lovers dream, 5% of all sales goes to animal charities, shelters and sanctuaries!
The polishes are long-wearing and for these colors, I only needed one coat of each. I look forward to trying more of these gorgeous shades. Dimension Nails also sells gel polish, gel powders, nail art supplies and brushes.
Makeup – Beauty Bakerie
Beauty Bakerie is a female, Black-owned cruelty free cosmetics brand owned by Cashmere Nicole, a mother and breast cancer survivor, who I was lucky enough to meet and interview on the weekly radio show I co-hosted years ago.
Beauty Bakerie has a philanthropic arm called Sugar Homes, whose mission is to “sweeten the lives of others” by donating money, clothes, toys, and other things needed to orphanages all around the globe.
I recently purchased two Cake Pop Lippies (L-R) in Funnel Cake and Bastani Ice. Both are gorgeous, hydrating, and wear well on my (mostly dry) lips. Beauty Bakerie also has foundation in a wide array of skin tones, eyeshadow, blush, highlighter, powder, brushes, lip scrubs and liquid lipsticks.
Hair and Skincare – Pollynation Apothecary
Pollynation Apothecary is a female, Black-owned hair, skincare and body care brand that is proudly Leaping Bunny certified cruelty free! Owner, Carli Abram, is a chemical engineer who suffered from many unexplained health issues (sounds familiar – me too!). She used her technical expertise and her knowledge of herbs to create products that address the root causes of common issues.
I have been using their Strengthen & Stimulate Hair Tonic to increase circulation to my scalp. I have a hormone disorder called PCOS, and a genetic propensity for hair loss, so I’m doing everything I can to keep my hair full and happy! It can also be used to refresh hair in-between washes. The scent is natural and herbal.
I’m also a fan of their Conditioning Shampoo, Inflamed Healing Balm (great for boo boos, scratches, and bug bites), and Carrot Cake soap.
Makeup – JD Glow Cosmetics
JD Glow Cosmetics is an indie cosmetics brand with a huge following on social media. I first learned of them through my friend and fellow cruelty free blogger, Phyrra. She reviewed the liquid multichrome eyeshadows that they recently released, and I bought one of the pressed multichrome shadows called Alot.
Alot is GORGEOUS and my new favorite eyeshadow. It’s really hard to see all the tones in my pic, so you’ll have to check their website and my Instagram video to see it better. It’s $15 but in my opinion, totally worth it!
Hair and Body – Briogeo
Briogeo is another Black-owned, cruelty free beauty brand whose founder, Nancy Twine, I had the pleasure of meeting long ago. Briogeo is 6-free hair care; meaning their formulas are free of harsh sulfates (SLS/SLES), silicones, parabens, phthalates, DEA and synthetic color. All products are 90 to 100 percent naturally derived. Briogeo formulas are cruelty-free, gluten free and mostly vegan.
I recently tried the Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel, which is great for those with naturally curly hair (especially in humid regions). Their Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask is a fan favorite as well.
I have always needed an anti-perspirant first and foremost, but Briogeo’s tea tree and eucalyptus deodorant is my favorite natural refresher on hot days. I like it more than most of the other natural deodorants I’ve tried. It goes on non-gloopy and kills germs that cause odor.
There are so many other Black-owned cruelty free brands that I need to try! One is Mischo Beauty, a high-end nail polish brand. I put in a pre-order and I will share pics with you when I receive the polishes! What other BIPOC-owned brands do you think should be on my radar? What would you like me to review for you?
