Black-owned beauty brands in my kit
Today I wanted to share with you some of my absolute go-to products from my professional kit that are owned by incredible black women and men. These are products I have used for years and products I think all makeup artists need to invest in. Here's why:
Danessa Myricks
Danessa is one of the most wonderful women you’ll ever meet. A serious makeup Queen who has inspired me along with so many others. I was lucky enough to work alongside D for a short while at Benefit. She designed the now iconic brow collection. Yep, true story! That’s why you’ll find a shade for EVERYONE. Like myself, Danessa is self-taught. From day one her mission has been to create inclusive beauty. She has most definitely achieved this with her range. She also runs the most incredible teaching seminars which are amazing for up-and-coming makeup artists and for artists who, like me, love to learn.
I think I first started using her product about five years ago, and since the collection has grown. I started with the Enlight Illuminators.
These have been a staple in my kit ever since. The thing I love about Danessa is how she encourages you to multi-use her products. The illuminators are a great example of this. Use them alone as a highlighter or eyeshadow. Or mix them with a gloss to create the most stunning metallic gloss.
Make up above by Danessa
I also love D because, like me, she loves colour. Her Colour Fix products are some of my all time favourites. The pigments are insane. Again, you can mix them and use them anywhere on the face. Danessa is a true artist and she encourages you to be the same.
Me wearing shade.
Danessa has tooooo many amazing products to mention here, so def check out her page. But I have to mention one more. You know I love a glow. Well, her Dew Wet Balm is my secret weapon. I use it on every single shoot, it photographs incredibly well and adds the perfect amount dewiness to the skin.
This shade is "Rose Water". Its hint of pink means that you can skip blush if you want.
Makeup by Danessa using Dew Wet Balm
So perhaps Danessa Myricks is a makeup artist and brand owner that you haven't heard of until now, but I guarantee that once you delve into her work and products, you will become obsessed.
AJ Crimson
AJ is a wonderful artist who is the first choice for many celebs including the likes of Missy Elliot, Estelle and Brandy. Again, his makeup line is about inclusivity. I actually haven't tried all his products, but there is one that I just wouldn't be without. That is his Universal Finishing Powder. Every single makeup artist needs this product in their kit.
I have shades neutral matte and bamboo. There are two other shades but these are my go-to. They are perfect for all skin tones. I use the neutral for anyone with a pink undertone, and the bamboo for anyone with a yellow or red undertone. Honestly, these powders are incredible. You can literally chuck them on and know that they will sink into the skin and mattify perfectly.
UOMA by Sharon Chuter
Sharon created UOMA because she was so frustrated with the lack of diversity in the makeup industry. The range has been formulated to suit all skin tones. The word UOMA means 'beautiful' in the Nigerian dialect Igbo, which I love. The products are incredible. I adore the Eyeshadow Palettes. In my opinion, the pigment and payoff of the UOMA palettes, is exactly how every eyeshadow should be formulated.
This is the payoff after one light touch on each shade. INCREDIBLE!!! The pressed glitters are as good as the metallics, the mattes as good as the satins. I have been in love with this brand since its 2019 launch. The products have never disappointed me. From the award-winning 51 shades of foundations, to the beautiful eyeshadow palettes, this is a brand to continue to watch (and buy).
Juvia's place by Chichi Eburu
Chichi started Juvia from her bedroom. With a starting budget of £2k, she created what is now a highly successful beauty brand. Again, it's the incredible pigments that stand out to me. See the theme? Black women and men make THE BEST pigments because they were/are so used to having to deal with products that go ashy on their skin. This is why these brands have superior pigments to many white-owned brands.
This is my fave Juvia palette. The textures are smooth and buttery, and the pigment is amazing. I loveeee The Zulu because it's hard to find powder neon shadows with a formula as good as this.
I mean, hey! Look at those brights. They pop whether your brush is dry or wet. They last all day and do not create fallout under the eyes. What more do you want from an eyeshadow?
Pat McGrath
Named 'the Mother of makeup' by the beauty industry, Pat is a force to be reckoned with. She is, without a doubt, one of the best makeup artists in the World. I could sit here all day and talk about her career and why she is an inspiration to so many, but I think the best way to understand her career is to listen to her episode on Desert Island Discs. It's thought-provoking and an important conversation.
Pat launched her product range in 2016. At first you could only get it in the US which seemed strange considering she is British. I used to fill my basket in Sephora on every visit! However, it's now available globally and the line has extended a lot since the first year.
This is my forever favourite Pat palette. The colours and the textures are incredible. There really isn't a formulation out there like Pat's. The metallic shades are hard to explain. They seem to change colour as you move. They are magical.
The products aren't cheap. Some of the most expensive on the market actually. However, there is no doubt in my mind that they are worth it. It is very obvious that one of the greatest artists ever has made this collection. From the formulations to the ease of use. These are fashion week products that you can wear at home.
Firstly, can we talk about the fact that I managed to balance this lipstick on a rose-thanks so much! Ha! Forget that stroke of genius and just look at the packaging. Yes you might pay over £30 for a lipstick, but how happy does this baby make you? Love the packaging, love the formulas, love pretty much everything Pat touches.
So in summary, I think it's fair to say that every makeup lover needs a black owned beauty product in their life. These will be forever faves in my professional kit and in my personal makeup bag.
Let me know your favourites below.
Until next time,
Love & lipstick,
Lisa xx