ADVERTISEMENT

2020

Beauty Innovator Awards
Lyric Mariah walks down a pathway near a fence. She is wearing a cropped jean top and jean pants with a pearl belt. She is taking her face mask off. Lyric Mariah walks down a pathway near a fence. She is wearing a cropped jean top and jean pants with a pearl belt. She is taking her face mask off.
Women Making Waves

Black Women Making Major Waves Black Women Making Major Waves

Aurora James

The fashion trailblazer parlayed her platform into a movement with the 15 Percent Pledge to dedicate shelf space to Black-owned businesses across industries.

•••
P

Sharon Chuter

By challenging brands and corporations to #PullUpOrShutUp, the Uoma Beauty founder sparked a conversation in the name of lasting change.

•••

Renee Loiz

With a directory of more than 800 and counting, Color May Vary is the definitive guide to Black-owned beauty brands, and celebrity makeup artist Loiz is at its helm.

•••
Skin Care

Skin-Care Brands That Treat Melanin Right Skin-Care Brands That Treat Melanin Right

Topicals

The hard-working hyperpigmentation and sensitive-skin treatments you wish you had in high school — scientifically proven to be effective and adorable.

BUY
•••

Epara

This Britain-born brand’s name means “to cocoon oneself” in the Nigerian dialect of Ebira; in this context, it’s synonymous with luxurious textures and high-quality ingredients.

BUY
•••

Klur

Expert esthetician Lesley Thornton crafts formulas as chic and transparent as the brown glass bottles they come in.

BUY
•••
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse elementum, ligula ac laoreet rutrum, risus enim varius urna, non ullamcorper ligula tellus eget risus. Suspendisse scelerisque nibh nisi, quis porttitor ligula dictum sit amet. Vivamus pharetra libero mi, ut bibendum elit cursus et. Sed ut dui aliquet, tincidunt lacus sit amet, hendrerit purus. Praesent sed varius lorem. Ut volutpat urna eu facilisis accumsan. Proin et volutpat felis.
Nam maximus volutpat augue, eget sagittis purus. Morbi rhoncus efficitur ante, eget tincidunt dolor feugiat ac. Phasellus in commodo dolor, vel efficitur dui. Nunc eget blandit nulla. Donec porttitor nisi nulla, sed semper eros blandit eu. Quisque lobortis faucibus purus, ultrices mattis tellus facilisis sit amet. Etiam ac sem accumsan, bibendum neque sit amet, mattis justo.
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse elementum, ligula ac laoreet rutrum, risus enim varius urna, non ullamcorper ligula tellus eget risus. Suspendisse scelerisque nibh nisi, quis porttitor ligula dictum sit amet. Vivamus pharetra libero mi, ut bibendum elit cursus et. Sed ut dui aliquet, tincidunt lacus sit amet, hendrerit purus. Praesent sed varius lorem. Ut volutpat urna eu facilisis accumsan. Proin et volutpat felis.
Nam maximus volutpat augue, eget sagittis purus. Morbi rhoncus efficitur ante, eget tincidunt dolor feugiat ac. Phasellus in commodo dolor, vel efficitur dui. Nunc eget blandit nulla. Donec porttitor nisi nulla, sed semper eros blandit eu. Quisque lobortis faucibus purus, ultrices mattis tellus facilisis sit amet. Etiam ac sem accumsan, bibendum neque sit amet, mattis justo.
Hair Artists

Most Innovative Hair Artists Most Innovative Hair Artists

Niani B

At the start of the pandemic, the Detroit hair stylist dreamed of creating a virtual safe space for Black girls that never learned how to braid — and did exactly that.

•••
P

Nikki Nelms

She’s not lying when she calls herself Hair MacGyver: The pro behind Zoë Kravitz, Janelle Monáe, and Solange can do editorial, sculptural, and everything in between.

•••

Takisha Sturdivant-Drew

Kerry Washington’s go-to artist has been working with the A-lister for almost two decades, consistently turning out fresh red-carpet looks we can’t stop double-tapping.

•••
Hair Brands

Hair Brands That Make Wash Day Better Hair Brands That Make Wash Day Better

Sunday II Sunday

Don’t sweat it: Whether you’re going natural or rocking a set of protective braids, this new line wants you to get active without worrying about your hair.

BUY
•••

Oemi Botanicals

A little of this rich whipped butter goes a long way to add glossy shine and definition to twist-outs, braid-outs, and beyond.

BUY
•••

Nuele

Two women scientists spent four years perfecting one does-it-all oil, so you can have soft, healthy hair and help support the female farmers who harvest the formula’s five ingredients.

BUY
•••
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse elementum, ligula ac laoreet rutrum, risus enim varius urna, non ullamcorper ligula tellus eget risus. Suspendisse scelerisque nibh nisi, quis porttitor ligula dictum sit amet. Vivamus pharetra libero mi, ut bibendum elit cursus et. Sed ut dui aliquet, tincidunt lacus sit amet, hendrerit purus. Praesent sed varius lorem. Ut volutpat urna eu facilisis accumsan. Proin et volutpat felis.
Nam maximus volutpat augue, eget sagittis purus. Morbi rhoncus efficitur ante, eget tincidunt dolor feugiat ac. Phasellus in commodo dolor, vel efficitur dui. Nunc eget blandit nulla. Donec porttitor nisi nulla, sed semper eros blandit eu. Quisque lobortis faucibus purus, ultrices mattis tellus facilisis sit amet. Etiam ac sem accumsan, bibendum neque sit amet, mattis justo.
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse elementum, ligula ac laoreet rutrum, risus enim varius urna, non ullamcorper ligula tellus eget risus. Suspendisse scelerisque nibh nisi, quis porttitor ligula dictum sit amet. Vivamus pharetra libero mi, ut bibendum elit cursus et. Sed ut dui aliquet, tincidunt lacus sit amet, hendrerit purus. Praesent sed varius lorem. Ut volutpat urna eu facilisis accumsan. Proin et volutpat felis.
Nam maximus volutpat augue, eget sagittis purus. Morbi rhoncus efficitur ante, eget tincidunt dolor feugiat ac. Phasellus in commodo dolor, vel efficitur dui. Nunc eget blandit nulla. Donec porttitor nisi nulla, sed semper eros blandit eu. Quisque lobortis faucibus purus, ultrices mattis tellus facilisis sit amet. Etiam ac sem accumsan, bibendum neque sit amet, mattis justo.
Buy Black

The Best Places To Buy Black The Best Places To Buy Black

oneKIN

Between the curated selection of artisan-led brands and focus on emerging indie companies, this one-stop shop is more than e-commerce — it’s a cultural experience.

BUY
•••
P

Pretty Well Beauty

By advocating for education, sustainability, and accessibility, not just spending money, founder Jazmin Alvarez proves that good-for-you beauty is for everyone.

BUY
•••

Blk + Grn

All of the items in this shop are made by Black creators and chosen by Black health experts, working to break the cycle of harmful chemicals disproportionately affecting the community.

BUY
•••
Makeup Artists

Most Innovative Makeup Artists Most Innovative Makeup Artists

Raisa Flowers

With graphic lines, shocks of neon, and unexpected details, Thomas creates the kind of modern art you won’t find at Sotheby’s.

•••
P

Mimi Quiquine

Vibrant and imaginative, Quiquine has mastered the juxtaposition of natural-looking skin with lived-in color on the eyes and lips.

•••

Alana Wright

There’s a reason Cleo Wade and Elaine Welteroth keep Wright on speed dial (or we imagine they do): She makes every client look like the best version of themselves.

•••
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse elementum, ligula ac laoreet rutrum, risus enim varius urna, non ullamcorper ligula tellus eget risus. Suspendisse scelerisque nibh nisi, quis porttitor ligula dictum sit amet. Vivamus pharetra libero mi, ut bibendum elit cursus et. Sed ut dui aliquet, tincidunt lacus sit amet, hendrerit purus. Praesent sed varius lorem. Ut volutpat urna eu facilisis accumsan. Proin et volutpat felis.
Nam maximus volutpat augue, eget sagittis purus. Morbi rhoncus efficitur ante, eget tincidunt dolor feugiat ac. Phasellus in commodo dolor, vel efficitur dui. Nunc eget blandit nulla. Donec porttitor nisi nulla, sed semper eros blandit eu. Quisque lobortis faucibus purus, ultrices mattis tellus facilisis sit amet. Etiam ac sem accumsan, bibendum neque sit amet, mattis justo.
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse elementum, ligula ac laoreet rutrum, risus enim varius urna, non ullamcorper ligula tellus eget risus. Suspendisse scelerisque nibh nisi, quis porttitor ligula dictum sit amet. Vivamus pharetra libero mi, ut bibendum elit cursus et. Sed ut dui aliquet, tincidunt lacus sit amet, hendrerit purus. Praesent sed varius lorem. Ut volutpat urna eu facilisis accumsan. Proin et volutpat felis.
Nam maximus volutpat augue, eget sagittis purus. Morbi rhoncus efficitur ante, eget tincidunt dolor feugiat ac. Phasellus in commodo dolor, vel efficitur dui. Nunc eget blandit nulla. Donec porttitor nisi nulla, sed semper eros blandit eu. Quisque lobortis faucibus purus, ultrices mattis tellus facilisis sit amet. Etiam ac sem accumsan, bibendum neque sit amet, mattis justo.
Skin Experts

Most Innovative Skin Experts Most Innovative Skin Experts

Dr. Caroline Robinson

The world needs more dermatologists like Dr. Robinson: brilliant, talented, social media-savvy, and Black.

•••
P

Vanessa Marc

Winnie Harlow, Zendaya, and Jasmine Tookes all trust the skin expert and her luxurious NYC spa with their faces, so it’s safe to say she knows a thing or two.

•••

Nayamka Roberts-Smith, LE

The internet’s favorite esthetician is also the only esthetician Barack Obama follows on Twitter. Need we say more?

•••
Pholk Module

AT REFINERY29, WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE THIS OVERWHELMING WORLD OF STUFF. ALL OF OUR MARKET PICKS ARE INDEPENDENTLY SELECTED AND CURATED BY THE EDITORIAL TEAM. IF YOU BUY SOMETHING WE LINK TO ON OUR SITE, REFINERY29 MAY EARN COMMISSION.

WRITTEN AND EDITED BY RACHEL KRAUSE.

PHOTOGRAPHED AND DIRECTED BY ZHAMAK FULLAD; STYLED BY DANASIA SUTTON; MAKEUP BY FRANCESCA MARTIN AT WALTER SCHUPFER MANAGEMENT; HAIR BY ANDRES COPELAND AT ATELIER MANAGEMENT; NAILS BY MIMI D.; MODELED BY ARIEL TOOLE AT SELECT LOS ANGELES; MODELED BY LYRIC MARIAH AT SELECT LOS ANGELES; MODELED BY ALANA JANUARY AT STATE MODELS LOS ANGELES; MODELED BY AMAYA JANUARY AT STATE MODELS LOS ANGELES; CASTING BY LILAC PEREZ; MOTION SHOT BY RAHEEM HERCULE; MOTION EDITED BY AALANY McMAHAN.

DESIGNED BY IDIL GOZDE, SEETA KANHAI, & HANNAH MINN; PRODUCT DESIGN BY LEE MISENHEIMER; BEAUTY DIRECTOR, CAT QUINN; SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR, MARY FLETCHER; DESIGN DIRECTOR, ELSA JENNA; EXECUTIVE PHOTO DIRECTOR, SARAH FILIPPI.

JENNY SAUCEDA; HAIR BY EROL KARADAG; NAILS BY SARAH NGUYEN AT WALTER SCHUPFER MANAGEMENT; MODELED BY ANIMA AGYEMAN; MODELED BY DAPHNE VARGAS AT OFFSHORE AGENCY; MODELED BY TEF GORRIN AT OFFSHORE AGENCY

OPENER, LYRIC: MAXRIENY BY SARA WONG TOP; HARDEMAN JEANS; ALEXANDER WANG IVY LOGO SATIN SANDALS, $750, AVAILABLE AT MODAOPERANDI.COM; STYLIST’S OWN JEWELRY. PHOLK, ALANA & AMAYA: FARRADAS KNITS DRESS; FARRADAS KNITS TOP; KSLAM HUSTLE BLOUSE, $136, AVAILABLE AT KSLAMCLOTHING.COM; KSLAM PANTS; ALEXANDER WANG SHOES; STYLIST’S OWN JEWELRY.

AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT