If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s how to be more thoughtful about the brands we give our money to, whether it’s supporting sustainable skin care brands, investing in eco-friendly fashion or choosing to shop from Black-owned businesses.
To that end, we’ve found a ton of Black-owned businesses that provide superior products that we can use every day, so we’ve rounded up 50 of our favorites for you below. From a brand that makes paint shopping easy to streetwear for pets to fashionable swimwear, we believe these are the Black-owned businesses you should shop now for your daily essentials.
Black-owned beauty businesses we love
Uoma Beauty
At just 19, Sarah Chuter got her start in the beauty industry as a distributor for Revlon in her home country of Nigeria. Today, after building her business from the ground up, Chuter owns Uoma, which made headlines when it launched its 51-shade Say What?! foundation line. At the time, that pathbreaking collection was Ulta’s most diverse foundation line, beating the runner-up by 11 shades. Uoma has continued the trend of releasing innovative, inclusive products, like its Stay Woke Concealer and Brow-Fro Baby Hair pencil.
Have trouble finding your skin tone in the makeup aisle? Look for Uoma’s concealer, which boasts a lineup of 20 different colors.
Use Uoma’s Baby Hair pencil to make your eyebrows pop with volume and color. It comes in six shades to give your brows a natural look.
Alaffia
After falling in love with a Peace Corps volunteer in the 1990s, Olowo-n’djo Tchala left Togo, his home country, to live in the US, where he started a skin, hair and body care brand called Alaffia. But unlike most beauty brands, Tchala’s company gives back to its workers and their communities, whether that’s by establishing cooperatives in Togo that pay fair wages or by partnering with the Global Alliance for Community Empowerment (GACE). Beyond the good Alaffia does in the world, it also produces some excellent products. The bestselling Authentic African Black All-in-One Soap is as versatile as it is clarifying, thanks to sulfate-free, naturally derived ingredients like shea butter and holy basil.
Simplify your grooming routine with this shea butter-infused formula from Alaffia, which works as a facial cleanser, shaving soap, body wash, shampoo and hand soap.
If there’s one thing Alaffia does right, it’s shea butter. Since it was established in 2003, the brand has sourced its shea butter from equitable worker cooperatives in West Africa and is now fair trade certified.
Briogeo
From hair growth to hair thickening and next-level nourishing, we’re forever indebted to founder and CEO Nancy Twin for her luxe hair care line Briogeo. It’s rooted in memories she shared surrounding beauty with her late mother, a doctor and chemist who mastered the art of creating effective hair products for all types and textures using natural plant-based ingredients. Through her mother’s legacy, Briogeo was born. Opt for the Rosehip and Algae Deep-Conditioning Mask that started it all or the Scalp Care Essentials set to gently lift away impurities from the source.
If your damaged, broken hair is begging for relief from harsh dyes, chlorine or other hair-frying chemicals, consider this strengthening leave-in mask.
With a single purchase, you can upgrade your hair care routine when you snag Briogeo’s essentials set, which includes an oil-absorbing dry shampoo and a hydrating normal shampoo.
BeautyStat
Founded by cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, BeautyStat is quickly becoming an industry-favorite skin care brand for its expert-created beauty products that really get the job done. One such product is the Universal C Eye Perfector, a vitamin C-based formula that’s meant to brighten the sensitive skin around the eye while utilizing CMH repair complex to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. We love the lightweight application and how it visibly firms under the eye while diminishing puffiness.
Vitamin C’s benefits go way beyond warding off the common cold. In skin care products like BeautyStat’s eye cream, vitamin C brightens skin, slows signs of aging and removes hyperpigmentation.
Like vitamin C, peptide skin care products are an anti-aging powerhouse, increasing collagen production and skin elasticity. This one comes with an extra-potent 22-amino-acid peptide, tackling wrinkles, sagging and other signs of aging.
Maison Chémin
Finding your signature scent just makes … sense. Founder November Nichols chose to honor her late grandmother Mary Lena “Chémin” Portalis by creating a line of bespoke fragrances and luxury goods that invite the community to see the beauty around and within them — just as she did. With her eponymous brand Maison Chémin, book an IRL experience for some serious pampering or order the magic from the comfort of your home with Parfum de Maison No. 1 or Parfum 17.
A zesty white tea and lemongrass diffuser oil, Parfum de Maison No. 1 will keep your home smelling fresh and inviting.
Parfum 17 is a sophisticated gender-neutral fragrance dripping with notes of vetiver, oak, cedar, citrus, almond and pink pepper.
54 Thrones
54 Thrones, founded by Christina Funke Tegbe, is committed to providing ethically sourced beauty products that pay homage to the diverse array of cultures across Africa by using botanicals grown among the continent’s 54 countries. The brand’s Egyptian Lavender + Moroccan Mint Beauty Butter is one of its top-rated products for being a calming and soothing body or facial moisturizer with a delightful scent to match.
Treat leathery, cracked skin with this shea butter-based hand and body butter. It’s appropriate for all skin types but will work especially well for folks who have dry hands and feet.
Shea butter (and not water) is the first ingredient in 54 Thrones’ hydrating body wash, so you can trust that this formula is packed with moisturizing ingredients that’ll cleanse without stripping your skin.
Scotch Porter
Calvin Quallis’ brand Scotch Porter has all the tools you need for a superior grooming experience that’s sure to leave you feeling more confident — a feeling that inspired him to create products in the first place. Whether you rock a beard or prefer a clean shave, you should consider adding the Daily Face Care Bundle to your routine.
The set includes a face wash and lotion for essentials that support healthy-looking and healthy-feeling skin.
Scotch Porter includes everything — and we mean everything — you need to maintain a luxurious, healthy beard in this kit, including a wash, conditioner, balm and serum.
Black Girl Sunscreen
Black Girl Sunscreen was founded in 2016 by Shontay Lundy on the idea that Black people need sunscreen that suits their unique skin tones too. As both a resource for all things sun safety and skin care without the white cast, you can expect Black Girl Sunscreen to leave your skin feeling hydrated and protected so you can make the most out of the great outdoors, no residue included. Hero products include Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 and Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Glow Sunscreen Spray.
No matter your skin tone, this water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen will rub in without leaving a white cast. It also doubles as a moisturizer.
This sunscreen offers the same advantages as the original Black Girl Sunscreen — no white cast and fragrance-free — except that it comes in a convenient spray formula.
Buttah Skin
You may recognize founder Dorion Renaud from the glossy pages of Vogue magazine or on-screen as Khloé’s BFF on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” but at Buttah Skin, he now takes on a different leading role. In an effort to create buttery products designed for melanin-rich skin, he founded Buttah Skin, which relies on the healing powers of raw and organic shea butter. Cleanse away the day’s impurities with the Egyptian CocoShea Body Wash or perk up your peepers with the Sterling Silver Awakening Eye Cream.
Skin parched? Let us introduce you to Buttah Skin's moisturizing body wash. Its “Duraquench complex” — a mix of cocoa and shea butters — cleanses, softens and hydrates.
Boasting powerhouse ingredients like niacinamide, squalane and bakuchiol extract, this under-eye cream reduces puffiness and dark circles.
Ami Colé
After recognizing a market gap in safe products devoted to beautifying melanin-rich skin, Diarrha N’Diaye set out to develop a line she could be proud of. The result is Ami Colé (named after her Senegal-born mother), a clean makeup brand free of endocrine disruptors and available in packaging that’s either recycled, reusable or biodegradable. Shop the Skin-Enhancing Tinted Moisturizer for skin that’s uniquely yours or the Hydrating Lip Treatment Oil.
Give your skin a dewy, radiant glow with this medium-coverage tinted moisturizer, which comes in six shades.
For a plump pout that’s anything but sticky, try Ami Colé’s tinted lip treatment oil. It’s as shiny as lip gloss while also providing hydration and protection.
The Good Mineral
If you’ve got sensitive, acne-prone skin, you know just how frustrating finding the right products can be. Your search ends with The Good Mineral. Founded by two sisters, Natasha and Ego Iwegbu, The Good Mineral’s line of products relies on science-backed expertise and an entrepreneurial spirit to deliver products that complement every skin tone under the sun. For the appearance of smooth skin and shrunken pores only Photoshop can achieve, shop the brand’s award-winning Loves You Back 3-In-1 Powder Foundation or save with the Glow Gift Box Bundle.
If you want a natural look but still prefer a little coverage, try this blurring foundation. Not only will it make your skin look great but it has clean ingredients suitable for acne-prone skin.
Pamper yourself (or someone you love) with this five-piece bundle, which features a brush, blush, highlighter, contour and bronzer in a fun pink gift box.
Shani Darden
To put your best face forward, look no further than celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden’s line of celebrity-adored skin care products. The dermatologist-trained skin care expert is notorious for her vegan and cruelty-free blends that address a variety of concerns, from fine lines to blemishes and everything in between. To look catwalk-ready, grab the cult-favorite and award-winning Retinol Reform Treatment Serum or treat yourself with the Facial-Sculpting Wand.
Combining two powerful active ingredients, retinol and AHA, this serum is an anti-aging, skin-smoothing star.
Using sound wave technology to promote buttery smooth skin, this sculpting wand lets you indulge in a spa-worthy treatment right at home.
Pat McGrath Labs
Legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath has long been one of our go-to makeup sources for everything from highly pigmented eye shadow palettes to limited-edition releases that consistently keep us on our toes. Invest in the Heart’s Desire Matte Lip Kit for a kissable pout and create a fresh-faced look with her Sublime Perfection Foundation, available in 33 creamy hues that provide long-lasting wear.
With matte lipstick and a gel lip pencil, this 2-in-1 set will make your lips pop. It comes in two different colors.
This liquid foundation stands out for two reasons. First, it comes in 33 shades, accommodating a range of skin tones. And second, it nourishes your skin, thanks to its hydrating Vita-Serum Complex.
Danessa Myricks Beauty
You’ll always look and feel beautiful in the skin you’re in while rocking Danessa Myricks’ comprehensive line of beauty products made with inclusivity and diversity in mind. The self-taught makeup artist transitioned from beauty brands we all know and love, from KISS to Benefit Cosmetics, and has since used her experience to offer one-of-a-kind beauty essentials for every complexion. Try her Dewy Cheek and Lip Palette or the Yummy Skin Serum Foundation.
Offering functionality and versatility through four multiuse shades, this palette does double duty, accentuating your lips and cheeks.
Available in 26 shades, this powerhouse skin care product from Danessa Myricks primes your skin with a healthy, natural glow.
Black-owned fashion businesses we love
Ada & Edith
In the fashion world, you often have to choose between style and comfort. But Ukonwa Ojo’s brand Ada & Edith sought out to change that with elegant, on-trend dresses, tops and bottoms that are at once comfy and chic. Expect flowy silhouettes and minimalist designs like the Riviera Draped Maxi Dress, made from stretchy cotton fabric. Or if you’d like something equally elegant but more casual, take a look at the Biafra Oversized Wide-Leg Jumpsuit, which you can dress down with sneakers.
The fact that Ada & Edith use the word "cuddle" to describe this dress tells you everything you need to know. It’s as comfortable as a Snuggie and fashionable enough for the runway.
A dressy jumpsuit might sound like a contradiction. But this versatile, handmade piece will impress at a dinner party or in the office, depending on how you style it.
Brandon Blackwood
Spruce up your look with Brandon Blackwood’s unparalleled selection of footwear, accessories, bags and more. The Brooklyn-born designer began his foray into fashion at an early age by hand-sewing bags for his friends. Today, he serves up looks fit for A-list royalty to the tune of the Blair Puffer Thigh-High Boots in your choice of leather or nylon, and anything-but-basic bags like the Acrylic Basket Bag in Green Marble that make a serious statement.
If you’re tired of your stale, run-of-the-mill wardrobe, style your next outfit with these bold black boots.
Instead of leather or canvas (boring!), Brandon Blackwood opts for shiny acrylic for its basket bag.
Deseri
When Deseri Kelley received her first designer handbag at age 9, she became obsessed with planning her outfits around the statement piece, reveling in admiration from family and friends. She knew she wanted others to experience that same love affair with their very own high-quality bag and stopped at nothing to develop her dream bag brand. Fusing timeless looks and modern trends, Deseri is your destination for that perfect bag you’ve always longed for but never been able to find. Add the Rosa Mini to your handbag collection for ultimate versatility and functionality or opt for the leather Deseri Hand-Painted shopper with optional personalization.
Made in Spain from textured leather and gold metal accents, the Rosa Mini benefits from a classic, understated design. Sure, it’s small at just 7.5 inches tall, but you can still carry your phone and other everyday items.
This is as much an art piece as it is a bag — and its price reflects that. For no extra charge, you can customize it, adding up to eight characters of your own text.
Kahmune
Jamela Acheampong started Kahmune after quite literally painting a pair of white pumps to match her skin tone to create her true nude shoe. After all, everyone’s “nude” is not a shade of beige or tan. The brand is on a mission to offer footwear styles to match everyone’s nude, no matter their complexion. For instance, these stylish pumps are available in more than half a dozen colors.
We know what you’re thinking: These stylish pumps aren’t worth the pain. But Kahmune has made them as comfy as possible by lowering the heel and adding two layers of memory foam.
With its 100% Italian leather construction and detachable gold chain strap, you wouldn’t know that the Becky Bag is Kahmune’s first foray into handbags.
We Dream in Color
If you’re looking to support a Black-owned business while feeling good about a sustainable purchase that’s better for the planet, look no further than Dream in Color, a brand founded by jewelry designer Jade Gedeon. Gideon, along with sister Mika, pride themselves on prioritizing the use of recycled materials and collaborating with socially conscious suppliers to deliver a stunning accessory that’ll transcend trends for years to come. Think Little Galaxy Earrings for a dreamy look to the hand-painted Waterlilly Necklace for all the island vibes.
Bring a little sparkle into your life with these hammered brass stars. Like all the jewelry from We Dream in Color, they’re handmade.
Finished with hand-painted enamel, this brass necklace features the highlights of pond life with a dragonfly, water lilies and lily pads.
Bychari
Chari Cuthbert founded Bychari as a way to create unique and modern jewelry pieces influenced by her personal approach to fashion. Since its launch, the brand’s handmade pieces have been donned by notable figures, from Michelle Obama’s iconic “Vote” necklace to influencers like Chiara Ferragni. Despite being spotted on our favorite A-listers, the brand nonetheless has affordable yet stunning offerings too, such as the Sade Hoop that’s surely going to become a staple in our jewelry collection.
These demi-fine (aka chic but affordable) gold hoops won’t break the bank. Still, be prepared for a showering of unsolicited compliments because these earrings are crowd-pleasers, despite their affordable price.
Even if you’re not into birthstones and the heart chakra, this gemstone is worth adding to your jewelry collection for its beautiful green color. It comes as a charm or as a necklace.
Nude Barre
Motivated by her frustrations with finding hosiery that matched her skin tone while working as a professional dancer, Erin Carpenter founded Nude Barre to provide proper undergarments for women of color. Now you can shop the brand’s collection of hosiery for adults and children with ease, like the Footed Opaque Tights that are made of a soft, stretchy fabric perfect to move around in.
These high-rise tights come in four colors, and at 60 to 65 denier (fabric thickness), you can expect them to be opaque without being completely solid.
If regular tights aren’t doing it for you, turn up the heat with these alluring fishnet tights. Nude Barre sells them in 12 shades and four sizes.
Good Man Brand
Co-founded by NFL star Russell Wilson, Good Man Brand set out to provide stylish and comfortable clothes with a modern athletic fit, all while supporting the football player’s Why Not You Foundation that focuses on youth empowerment. The brand offers a selection of menswear essentials, like the Match Point Polo that will seamlessly transition from winter to spring.
Drawing inspiration from old-school tennis polos, this shirt can either be dressy or casual. Expect a slim, comfortable fit.
If you enjoy loud, colorful prints, snag this shirt and show off your arms during the summer months.
Telfar
Telfar is without a doubt one of the most notable names in fashion right now for the brand’s iconic vegan leather Shopping Bag totes that require plenty of patience to get your hands on and are redefining what it means to be a luxury brand. The eponymous label, founded by Telfar Clemens, offers an array of unisex products that celebrate community and individuality. As part of a collaboration with Ugg, Telfar dropped these shearling shopping bags that we absolutely love the look of. Oprah’s a fan of the brand too: This gorgeous purple bag made her Favorite Things list in 2023.
Whatever you want to call it — we prefer the “Bushwick Birkin” — this piece captivated creatives, hipsters and fashionistas in the 2020s. This iteration takes the classic Bloomingdale’s bag shape and upgrades it with UGG’s classic sheepskin trim.
Prefer a classic Telfar bag? Pick this one up in eye-catching purple for a medium-sized, on-trend purse.
Wrap Life
Nnenna Stella founded Wrap Life out of her exploration of her individuality and personal style. She loved wearing head wraps to accentuate her natural hair, yet she found it difficult to shop for them, so she created her own. Now the brand offers a collection of head wraps, bandies and turbanettes like this gorgeous version.
With its pre-tied design, this versatile turbanette is easy to take off and on. And since it comes in six colors, you can buy a few to match your favorite outfits.
Thanks to its satin lining, you can protect yourself from 98% of UVA and UVB rays without messing up your hair.
Melissa Simone Swim
Melissa Gardner, founder of Melissa Simone Swim, is one of the most trendsetting clothing brands we’ve seen, which is why you’ve likely seen it all over your Instagram feeds. Like how cool is this one-piece?
A variation on the classic black one-piece, this swimsuit turns up the heat with its provocative circle cutouts.
Pair this with the Micah Elastic Bottom, and you’ll have a classic bandeau bikini set. The best part is that each piece comes in eight colors, including this striking scarlet red.
Zelie for She
Elann Zelie founded Zelie for She to celebrate individuality and tell the stories of travel, friendship and self-empowerment through plus-size clothing. With sizes XL through 3X, the brand’s offerings include everything from velvet robes to vibrant bell-bottom pants. We’re fawning over this adjustable skirt that’s a must-have for going out.
This piece is as versatile as skirts get, since you can adjust its length with a built-in drawstring. Want to show off your legs? Wear it as a miniskirt. Need a bit more coverage? Untie those strings and let this thing flow.
With its oversized “boyfriend” fit, you can be sure that this dress is so comfy you could nap in it.
Twelve AM Co.
In Areial Lomack’s Twelve AM Co. shoe marketplace, you’re sure to find a pair to complete your next look, whether it be an everyday pair of sandals or that heel you might wear only once. We have our eyes on the So Good Fluffy Slippers, available in three colors, that look and feel luxurious.
Treat yourself to these luxe faux-fur slippers, which you can wear in and out of the house.
Made with real suede, you’ll prefer these above-the-knee boots if you prioritize style over comfort.
Andrea Iyamah
It’s never too early to start shopping for that vacation you’ve been dreaming about. Be sure to check out Nigerian fashion designer Andrea Iyamah’s eponymous label for swimwear and ready-to-wear statement pieces inspired by ethnic culture and elements in nature, celebrating her own African roots. We’ve long obsessed over the brand’s artful swim collections, especially the Nayo One-Piece that’s sure to turn heads.
This emerald-green one-piece will stun beachgoers with its intricately wrapped top and shiny nylon material.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Andrea Iyamah also makes more laid-back, everyday pieces like this simple yet elegant maxi dress.
Black-owned houseware businesses we love
Jungalow
What started as founder, artist and designer Justina Blakeney’s blog blossomed into a full-fledged home design empire. With the ultimate goal to help us breathe new life into our spaces (bye, Beige Mom aesthetic), Jungalow offers rugs, prints, decor and more featuring adventurous nature- and travel-inspired patterns, colors and textures. While Jungalow’s online store closed in May 2024, its designs are still available at Target, Ruggable, Nordstrom and smaller retailers. Blakeney’s favorites include the All Creatures Welcome Doormat and the Fiesta Animals Wallpaper made in collaboration with Opalhouse.
In collaborating with Ruggable, Justina Blakeney took her line drawing “Sisters of the Sea 2” and turned it into this fanciful doormat. If you already have a Ruggable rubber mat, you can just buy the doormat cover. Otherwise, purchase the entire system for $159.
Transform bare, boring walls with this self-adhesive wallpaper. One roll covers 27.5 square feet.
Estelle Colored Glass
It’s no secret that glassware transforms the entire look of your tablescape and, thus, the whole mood of your dinner party. Elevate your next gathering with founder Stephanie Summerson Hall’s glassware brand Estelle Colored Glass. Inspired by her grandmother’s affinity for all things antique, reclaimed and bursting with color, Estelle Colored Glass offers one-of-a-kind artisan-made pieces, from this stunning Estelle Cake Stand to this Hand-Blown Colored Wine Glass Set that’ll have all your guests posting to their Instagram Stories.
Show off your baked goods with one of these iridescent glass cake stands. Add an Estelle cake dome to complete the look.
Add a little color to your wine glass collection with this set of six handblown pieces.
Wicks Nola Candle Company
Whether you’re looking to elevate your space or come prepared with the perfect host or hostess gift, Wicks Nola Candle Company (founded by Tiffany Brown in 2018) has you covered with its unmatched selection of luxury fragrances and candles inspired by all things New Orleans. Offering so much more than a cleaner burn compared to typical big-box brands, Wicks Nola provides a sensory experience that transports you directly to vibrant Bourbon Street and beyond. Try the French Quarter Beignet Single-Wick 8-Ounce Candle.
Oozing with notes of vanilla bean and powdered sugar, this candle smells exactly like the Cafe du Monde in the Big Easy.
Fill your living room with the scent of bubbling champagne and nectarine with Nola Candle Company’s boozy brunch candle.
Colorfull Plates
Kids have big dreams. But it can be challenging for young ones to learn how to harness their creativity in a productive way. Enter Colorfull Plates, which marketing maven Robin Oloyede launched to help empower her son in his quest to become an astronaut. The brand offers kid-friendly tableware rife with inclusive images of children of diverse backgrounds pursuing a variety of fields from health care to education to help strengthen their identities — and make mealtimes fun.
If your little one dreams about working in healthcare when they’re older, Colorfull Plates’ Doctor Bode collection would be the perfect gift. Choose to get this print on a plate, a bowl and more. Personalization is free too.
Inspire the next generation of teachers with this classroom design, which is also available on a variety of dishes.
Clare
Looking to spruce up that unfinished room with a pop of color? Look no further than Clare, a housewares brand that hopes to make your paint shopping easy. Founded by interior designer Nicole Gibbons, Clare not only offers high-quality and highly pigmented paint options but technology, paint swatches and practically anything else you need to guide your next project. Whether you’re into Current Mood Wall Paint that’s an intense green or just want a bright white, Clare offers low-odor, washable and self-priming paints that resist dirt, grime and mildew.
Available in interior and exterior varieties, this deep-green paint will add a moody yet calming touch to any wall, door, or surface. And for those concerned about the paint affecting air quality, know that this is an low odor, zero VOC paint.
This bestselling paint is the warmest white that Clare sells, sitting somewhere between true white and ivory.
Ayesha Curry Cookware
If you’re in the market for some high-quality cookware to upgrade your old faithfuls after endless hours in the kitchen, you should consider Ayesha Curry’s Collection ASAP. Known for her culinary aptitude, the actress and author’s assortment of kitchenware (the cast-iron Dutch oven, to be exact) even landed itself as part of Oprah’s Favorite Things. We’d recommend getting your hands on the Nine-Piece Nonstick Cookware Set to handle nearly any dish.
Moving? Looking to upgrade your kitchen? Either way, this nine-piece set has everything a home cook needs to throw together a feast, from sauce pans to a dutch oven.
We love a good Dutch oven. Like the best of them, this one from Ayesha Curry is made of cast iron and finished with a chip-resistant enamel.
Goodee
The online marketplace Goodee, founded by Byron and Dexter Peart, wants to empower both creators and consumers to make a positive impact through items at the intersection of good design and good purpose, as shown by the brand ensuring its supply chain workers receive a living wage and even donating a portion of proceeds to marginalized communities. Consider Goodee’s Two-Gallon The Warley Fall watering can, one of the marketplace’s best sellers.
The Mia Mini Vase Trio, which includes three unique, mouth-blown pieces, is sure to add a unique touch to any home.
One of Goodee’s bestsellers, this steel watering can would make a great gift for a green thumb. Its nondrip brass rose is sure to be an upgrade compared to plastic models.
Gilded Body
Blair Armstrong’s Gilded Body makes self-care a number-one priority by supplying products that make taking care of yourself easy and luxurious, leaving you feeling rejuvenated. What better way to set the self-care mood than with a jar of body balm or an exfoliating marble brush? Either way, you’ll come away with fresh, healthy skin.
Get your hands on the brand’s Supreme Body Balm, featuring moisturizing ingredients like cupuaçu butter, shea butter and meadowfoam seed oil.
Pair your luxe body balm with an even more indulgent purchase: an Italian marble brush. Gilded Body recommends dry brushing your entire body to remove dry skin.
CultureTags
Eunique Jones Gibson created the CultureTags Card Game as a way to bring people together and celebrate culture. To play virtually or in person, you divide into teams to guess the hashtag or acronym on the card without saying what it is, with categories from Black Twitter to song lyrics. Reviewers love it because it’s perfect to play with family.
Buy the original card game and play with up to 20 people total, testing how well you all know culture, whether you’re a TikTok-loving youngster or an (aging) game show fan.
Show off your knowledge of ’90s cultural touchstones like Wu-Tang Clan, Nirvana and “Friends” with this CultureTags expansion pack, which adds 60 new cards to the game.
SoapSox
Founded by Ray Phillips, SoapSox has an assortment of products that turn bath time into playtime. From your child’s favorite cartoon characters to an adorable green gator, the brand offers a selection of bath mitts that allow you to insert liquid or bar soap into the compartment of the stuffed animal to keep your kid entertained while they bathe.
Some kids hate bathing. Make the whole process more pleasant (for both of you) by adding this cute gator to the tub.
Kid more of a fantasy fan? Consider this dragon SoapSox or one of the other 15 bath mitts.
Fresh Pawz
Streetwear for dogs? Yes, please. Grab your furry friend some drip to match yours like this Monogram Hype Dog Leash that’s seriously fun. Founded by Christopher Cargnoni, Fresh Pawz aims to provide fashion for dogs unlike anything you’ve ever seen before — products that are high-quality without sacrificing modern style.
This leash looks cool and is well made, featuring a strong D-Ring, protective stitch cover and reflective strips for nighttime wear.
Whether you go for the Death Row or Pupreme design, this collar will make your pup the most fashionable dog on the block.
Fresh Dolls
Representation really matters to young people who deserve to see themselves accurately depicted in everything from movies to the toys they play with. That’s why Dr. Lisa Williams created Fresh Dolls (through her company, World of Epi) — so that every girl around the world could see her own beauty through the dolls she collected, thus building her self-esteem. Reviewers rave about dolls like the Fresh Beats Doll Beigne au Lei that portray realistic beauty standards from their skin tones to their hairstyles.
Make a music-loving kid’s day with Beigne au Lei, a pop star who cut their teeth playing shows in their native New Orleans.
This Fresh Dolls set includes three successful women of color whose careers range from surgeon to president of the United States.
Black-owned food and drink businesses we love
Blk & Bold
Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson founded specialty coffee and tea brand Blk & Bold to bring people together through delicious beverages while giving back 5% of its profits to initiatives that support youth community programs, youth homelessness and workforce development. So, when you shop the brand, not only are you supporting a great cause but you’re enjoying a superb brew — like the Limu Ethiopia Natural Processed Light Roast Whole Bean that tastes of honey, chocolate and blueberry.
Change up your coffee routine with these single-origin Ethiopian beans. Because of their light roast, expect more sweetness and acidity.
If you’re on the other side of the coffee spectrum — where convenience trumps flavor — you can grab a 20-pack of these Rise & Grnd K-Cups. Notes include caramel and lemon.
Capital City
If you’re from the DMV, mambo sauce is likely a quintessential part of your diet. The sweet and tangy sauce, known to be poured all over chicken wings, can give you a taste of the region’s most notorious condiment. Founded by Arsha Jones and her late husband, Charles Jones, Capital City even offers a Sweet Hot Mambo Sauce that delivers just the right amount of heat — so good it has close to a 5-star rating at Target.
One reviewer describes this as a mix of barbecue sauce, hot sauce and ketchup, adding that it’s perfect for Chinese food.
Sensitive tongue? This is Capital City’s Mambo Sauce without the heat.
Partake
Strolling down the snack aisle of your local Target, you’ve likely spotted these vegan, gluten-free and allergy-friendly treats. Founded by Denise Woodard in an effort to provide healthy but delicious snacks for her daughter who suffered from severe allergies, Partake wants to make sure those with dietary restrictions can enjoy their food too. So, if you have a sweet tooth and want to consume only the best ingredients, give the brand’s Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies a try during your next shopping trip, and check out more of the goods at Target here.
Made from buckwheat and other gluten-free flours, this chocolate chip cookie is as close to allergy-free as you can get. It’s gluten-free, vegan, Kosher and produced without GMOs.
Partake’s soft-baked lemon cookies are similarly allergy-friendly. If neither chocolate chip or lemon is your thing, Partake’s got other options, such as snickerdoodle and double-chocolate brownie cookies.
Eric LeGrand Whiskey
If you take your whiskey seriously, you’ll seriously want to consider Eric LeGrand Whiskey as you stock up your bar cart for hibernation season. When Rutgers University football star Eric LeGrand experienced a traumatic spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed in 2010, he refused to let his newfound downtime, well, get him down. Born out of his heroic mental fortitude and joie de vivre was Eric LeGrand Whiskey, which uses a precise charred-oak-barrel aging process to deliver a smooth and crisp Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Since this is a straight whiskey, you can be sure this bourbon has been aged for at least two years and is free of any extra coloring or flavoring.
InBooze
The year was 2020 when everyone swapped their typical Happy Hour for a drink on the couch at home. That’s how Ashleigh Evans’ cocktail infusion brand, InBooze, which originated on Etsy in 2018, exploded in popularity. The concept makes for an incredible date night idea, with plenty of DIY kits on offer. Make your own cocktails from a classic old-fashioned complete with dehydrated fruits, veggies, spices and herbs.
With InBooze’s Old-Fashioned kit, you can make a tasty mixed drink without any special equipment or know-how. The only thing you have to provide is the whiskey, bourbon or brandy.
Like your drinks on the sweeter side? Snag this fruity cosmo kit, and add vodka, gin or rum.
Zach & Zoë
A bee-utiful way to give back to the Black community is to shop at raw honey business Zach & Zoë, of “Shark Tank” and Oprah fame. When Kam and Summer Johnson were looking for all-natural remedies to help alleviate their son Zach’s seasonal allergies, it clicked. Using the theory of immunotherapy, they began beekeeping to harness the pollen present in raw honey to gradually immunize their son to the pollen causing his sensitivities in the atmosphere. But you don’t have to be an allergy sufferer to indulge: Buzz-worthy products in the lineup include Unfiltered Raw Creamed Wildflower Honey as well as Unfiltered Raw Ginger Honey.
This unpasteurized, unfiltered honey is replete with vitamins, minerals and amino acids, in part because it comes from a diverse pool of flowers.
This is unfiltered, raw honey with a twist: a hint of organic ginger root. Like all Zach & Zoë honeys, it’s harvested at the company’s Hunterdon County, New Jersey farm.
Black-owned fitness businesses we love
RunMitts
If you always find yourself frozen during your outdoor runs, run, don’t walk, toward RunMitts. Developed by running coach Susan Clayton, WhitePaws RunMitts thumbless mittens are designed to join your fingers and thumbs together in order to keep them as toasty as possible in Arctic temps. Grab the Daisy Print Mitten and Beanie Combo made of wind- and water-resistant fabric for ultimate warmth and style on the track, or check out the brand’s Double Velour Fleece Beanies to keep your most prized extremity protected.
Whether you hike, run, walk or all of the above, this mitten-and-beanie combo pack will keep you warm with its insulating materials. Plus, the mittens have pockets to hold hand warmers.
These beanies, which come in six colors, are oversized to offer extra coverage on the trail.
Saysh
Saysh is a women’s running shoe brand founded by Allyson Felix, a track-and-field athlete with a casual 11 Olympic and 20 world championship medals. Ever since one of her sponsors cut her pay by 70% after getting pregnant, Felix has been a huge advocate for maternity protection within the athletic industry. A few major sponsors changed their policies to protect women athletes as a result. But Felix was determined to make even more of a difference, so she started Saysh with her brother. Though the brand only offers two styles — the ultra-cushioned Felix Runner and the everyday Saysh One — it really stands out for its maternity return policy, which sends expectant mothers a free pair of shoes in their new size.
Many women’s running shoes are just reskinned men’s designs. But not these cushioned shoes from Saysh, which are designed specifically for a woman’s feet.
Seirus
Seirus founders Mike Carey and Joe Edwards are no strangers to making physical activity not just a pastime but a lifestyle. As avid skiers (as well as Carey having served as the first Black referee in the NFL), the duo remain committed to providing durable and sustainable fabrics that live up to the rough and tumble of outdoor pursuits from hiking to climbing and skiing to strolling. Invest in their industry-first rechargeable HeatTouch Hellfire Gloves for a warm and comfortable winter to their Heatwave Body-Mapped Full-Length Base Layer Bottoms to boost circulation and prevent moisture buildup on long days out on the snowy trails.
Not only are these gloves waterproof and insulated but they include battery-powered hand warmers to keep your extremities extra toasty.
Wear these bottoms under your snow pants for extra warmth. Using the company’s dual-stage Heatwave technology, they add about four to five degrees of extra warmth.
Powerhandz
Founded by Darnell Jones and Danyel Surrency Jones, Powerhandz provides athletic and rehabilitation gear that enhances the performance of athletes, coaches and fitness enthusiasts. Reviewers of the brand’s Anti-Grip Basketball Weighted Training Gloves rate these 5 stars at Target for significantly improving their strength, handling and overall ball control on the court.
It might sound counterintuitive, but these gloves make dribbling harder, adding weight and reducing friction. But turning up the difficulty during training makes sense if you’re trying to upgrade your skills for the big game.
Add 10 extra pounds to your workouts with this resistance suit that distributes weights across your body.