Black-owned fashion and beauty brands to support now, and always

If you’re currently looking for a way to effect change, redirecting your economic resources and supporting black-owned beauty businesses is a great place to start.

The pressing question ‘how can I help?’ is one that’s been dominating social media lately. As protests calling for an end to police brutality and justice for George Floyd’s murder continue to take place across the globe, there exists a variety of ways in which you can take action in support of the black community and BLM movement.

Besides signing petitions, contacting government officials, and donating to organisations fighting racial injustice – as many major brands and designers have been doing this week – another way to make your voice heard is by buying from black-owned fashion and beauty brands.

‘Black people are less likely to have access to capital to fund their businesses, so it’s critical non-POC support them because these purchases can make a major impact on the potential growth,’ says Lesley Thornton, founder of Klur Skincare. ‘It’s small actions like supporting black-owned businesses that help level the capitalist playing field for us.’

Vowing to join the push for equality and committing to being anti-racist means being an ally in every sense of the word. As consumers therefore, how better to lend ourselves to the cause than to get educated about these businesses and invest in them wherever possible?

A vast wealth of black talent within the fashion and beauty industry has not received nearly the amount of attention it deserves, and its due time we dedicated ourselves to showcasing more of its exceptional work. Particularly amidst a pandemic that has put retail in a more vulnerable position than ever before.

From up-and-coming independent designers to big names in beauty, here are just a few of the labels you need to have on your radar. In the words of Angela Davis: ‘the importance of doing activist work – big or small – is precisely because it allows you to give back and to consider yourself not as a single individual who may have achieved whatever, but to be a part of an ongoing historical movement.’  

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Rad Swan

Freddie Harrel is the blogger-turned-entrepreneur launching a conscious hair and beauty brand ‘built for the global diaspora’ this summer. Featuring ethical hair extensions and premium wigs, Rad Swan is on a mission to transform the $7 billion black hair care market complete with an admirable socially conscious agenda.