Drugstores are some of the best places to find high-quality beauty products for prices that won't hurt your wallet, but in terms of products made specially for people with darker skin and/or textured hair, there's still tons of room for improvement.
These days, you'll often find a bunch of the makeup, hair, and skin-care products catered to Black women at higher-end retailers like Sephora or independent websites, but we're thankful for the handful of brands that are readily available in drugstores like CVS, Walgreens, or even at Target. That means supporting these brands is even easier.
Read ahead to take a look at some of our favourite Black-owned beauty brands [1] that you can find in drugstores near you.
Kinky-Curly
Shelley Davis was inspired to launch her own line of textured hair products after using some homemade products concocted by a family member. Thus, Kinky-Curly [2] was born, and nearly two decades later, the brand has a crowd of supporters who rely heavily on its curling gels and detangling creams.
How to support Kinky-Curly: Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In Detangler [3] ($12)
The Lip Bar
The Lip Bar [4] is a vegan beauty brand that once specialised in lip products, though the brand has since expanded its range to include other products like foundations and eyeshadow palettes. Since being founded by former Shark Tank contestant Melissa Butler [5], the brand has amassed a huge following thanks to its mission to create a limitless selection of makeup options for women everywhere.
How to support The Lip Bar: The Lip Bar Matte Liquid Lipstick [6] ($13)
Iman Cosmetics
Founded by supermodel Iman, this drugstore beauty brand is both high-quality and wallet-friendly. Iman Cosmetics [7] sells everything from foundation to lipstick, but its face products are definite fan favourites.
How to support Iman Cosmetics: Iman Cosmetics Second to None Stick Foundation [8] ($16)
Alikay Naturals
Alikay Naturals [9] isn't just a skin, body, and hair brand — it also sells everything from satin bonnets to candles to mugs. Founded by Rochelle Alikay Graham-Campbell when she was 22 years old, the brand's organic products can be found in a handful of drugstores and over 150 independent retail locations worldwide, including Target.
How to support Alikay Naturals: Alikay Naturals Wake Me Up Curl Refresher [10] ($13)
Curls
After previously working in marketing, Mahisha Dellinger founded Curls [11] based on her need for a "brand that resonates with women like her." Since then, the brand has launched several collections for kinky and curly hair, most of which are available at retailers like Target, Walmart, Rite Aid, and CVS.
How to support Curls: Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste [12] ($9)
Miss Jessie's
Founders Miko and Titi Branch launched their hair-care brand to honour their paternal grandmother, Miss Jessie Mae Branch. Since launching in 2004, it's become a favourite of customers and natural hair enthusiasts everywhere.
How to support Miss Jessie's [13]: Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls [14] ($22)
Bevel
Created in 2013 to help men of colour who experience skin irritation while shaving, Bevel [15] is a razor company that has since expanded into the skin-care realm.
How to support Bevel: Bevel Shave System Shave Cream [16] ($15)
Black Girl Sunscreen
Black Girl Sunscreen [17] was created in 2016 in Miami, Florida to fulfil the needs of Black women and women of colour who were looking for a natural sunscreen that wouldn't leave behind a white residue.
How to support Black Girl Sunscreen: Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum [18] ($16)
Mielle Organics
Mielle Organics [19] launched in 2014 by founder Monique Rodriguez, who used her background in science and nursing to create a collection of products meant for keeping textured hair in its best and healthiest shape.
How to support Mielle Organics: Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Curl Smoothie [20] ($13)
Rucker Roots
Rucker Roots [21] is the baby of two siblings, Ellen and Ione Rucker, who founded the brand with their family's heritage in mind. Each of their products are derived from vegetable roots like carrot root, ginger root, and turnip root.
How to support Rucker Roots: Rucker Roots Anti-Frizz Growth Serum [22] ($20)
Camille Rose Naturals
Like many a beauty brand, Camille Rose Naturals [23] began in its founder's kitchen. Janell Stephens launched the company after spending years making homemade hair products for her family, and now the collection can be found everywhere from Target to Whole Foods.
How to support Camille Rose Naturals: Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk [24] ($14)
Scotch Porter
Scotch Porter [25] is a men's grooming brand founded by Calvin Quallis, an alum of Target's Takeoff Accelerator Program, and it was created with a focus on encourageing men to look and feel their best.
How to support Scotch Porter: Scotch Porter Exfoliating Face Scrub [26] ($12).
The Doux
Created by stylists Maya and Brian Smith [27], The Doux [28] isn't the couple's first take on entrepreneurship. They also own a salon in Macon, GA, of the same name, and their hair-care brand creates products for curly and textured hair working behind the ethos of delivering customers real results "without the hype."
How to support The Doux: The Doux One Love Co-Wash All-In-One Shampoo Deep Conditioner Treatment [29] ($13)
Blk/Opl
Blk/Opl [30] is known for its line of best-selling foundation sticks (available in 16 shades) specifically made for people with darker skin tones.
How to support Blk/Opl: Blk/Opl Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation [31] ($10)
Coloured Raine
Coloured Raine [32] was dreamt up by Loraine R. Dowdy, and is best known for its wide selection of stunning eyeshadow palettes. Don't check out the brand's inventory unless you're prepared to spend all of your money, though (don't say we didn't warn you).
How to support Coloured Raine: Coloured Raine Eyeshadow Palette in Lovelies [33] ($20)