24 Black-Owned Grooming Brands to Support Now and Always
24 Black-Owned Grooming Brands to Support Now and Always
Here’s the thing about grooming: Everyone wants to look good, but everyone has specific issues that they need products to address. The problem comes when the needs of certain people are not met. People of color have tremendous buying power, and yet, product lines directed to their specific needs and founded by Black entrepreneurs are underrepresented on the shelves of major retailers (or relegated to a separate section). Since fashion designer Aurora James started the 15 Percent Pledge, a call for major retailers to dedicate 15 percent of shelf space to Black-owned brands to support Black-owned business; and the Pull Up For Change initiative, started by beauty brand founder Sharon Chuter, asking fashion and beauty brands to disclose how many on their staff, including executive teams, are BIPOC—the brands you’re using to wash your face and condition your beard are in the spotlight.
This is all great, but you don’t need to sit around waiting for your local drugstore to change its stock to support Black-owned grooming companies. You can use your wallet to put your money where your mouth is and find exciting new brands to overhaul your grooming routine. Start with this list, which includes some of our own favorite brands plus recommendations from other amazing lists out there. You may already know some of these brands and some you may not, but they can all fit into your grooming routine no matter how simple or extensive it is.
Beard Trimmer
Bevel
amazon.com
$154.77
If you’re a shaving dude, you probably know Bevel, which was founded by entrepreneur Tristan Walker to address the specific shaving issues facing men of color, namely a propensity for ingrown hairs. The brand has since created products for every part of your grooming routine, from skincare to haircare, without ever leaving this goal behind.
Universal Moisture Essence
BeautyStat
amazon.com
$40.00
Founder Ron Robinson’s decades-long career as a cosmetic chemist informed this brand’s hero product: a Vitamin C serum that’s highly potent yet still gentle on the skin. The brand has recently expanded into two more products, an eye cream and a moisturizer, with the same formulation standards. We’d expect nothing less.
Heal Whipped Skin Soufflé
Beneath Your Mask
beneathyourmask.com
$80.00
The high-quality natural ingredients in this body and skin care line are gentle on your body and make your skin feel (and look) better than ever. Try the whipped body soufflé, a rich lotion for your body, and the vitamin-packed face mask that detoxes your skin without over-drying it.
Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Scalp SCurb
Briogeo
amazon.com
$42.00
This hair care brand uses high-quality natural ingredients and has something in the range for literally any type of hair texture or issue. Whether your hair is dry and brittle or a little too greasy, there’s something in the line for you. We’re especially partial to the scalp scrub, which helps get rid of product buildup while shampooing your hair at the same time.
Beard Kit
SheaMoisture
amazon.com
$45.99
Shea Moisture is known for its shampoos and conditioners that help cleanse and moisturize coarse and curly natural hair. The brand's beard care kit also follows that reputation. It comes with a beard wash, full beard detangler, beard conditioning oil and a beard balm.
The Groomer's Choice Kit
Frederick Benjamin
frederickbenjamin.com
$120.00
Natural and clinically proven ingredients combine in this hair and shaving line specifically formulated for men of color. It’s not just about how your hair looks, but also how healthy it is, and even the styling products in this line help to promote healthy hair and scalp.
Full Coverage Mineral Body Sunscreen
Unsun
amazon.com
$32.00
Was this natural sunscreen brand founded by Frank Ocean’s mom? Yes. But that’s not the only reason we like it. Mineral-based sunscreen can leave a chalky effect on any skin tone, but can present more of an issue on those with darker skin. These tinted sunscreens blend seamlessly across a wide variety of tones and still offer broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection.
Moringa Luminous Face Oil
GlowRx Skincare
amazon.com
$35.00
Dr. Lorraine Beraho started this skincare line to address the skin issues she saw in teenagers and young people, but you can use the products no matter what your age.
Hydrating Finishing Balm
Hair Rules
amazon.com
$23.00
This innovative haircare line grew out of the decades of experience of founder Anthony Dickey, also known as the texture guru. Now the broad collection has products for every single hair texture from stick-straight to curly AF. And they’re all designed to not just make your hair look it’s best, but make it healthier, too.
Moisturizing Shampoo
LivSo
amazon.com
$19.00
LivSo's highly moisturizing products for hair are specifically formulated to address grooming issues faced by people with textured hair. The sulfate-free shampoo cleanses hair and scalp without drying it out, and the leave-in lotion helps to keeps hair smooth and your scalp itch-free.
Invisible Daily SPF 30 Sunscreen
Mantl
amazon.com
$42.00
Co-founded by Queer Eye’s Karamo Brown, think of MANTL as skincare for your scalp. It’s specifically designed for bald men, whether by choice or not, and features products meant to protect exposed scalp skin and keep it looking its absolute best.
Sweet Cleansing Oil Balm
Nyakio
amazon.com
$12.00
Nyakio draws inspiration from the secret ingredients used around the globe to help make skin look the best it possibly can. The Sweet Cleansing Oil Balm uses oil to cleanse the skin while also helping retain its moisture.
Frank Juice Herbal Leave-In Hair Tonic
Oyin Handmade
amazon.com
$13.99
Oyin Handmade may have started as a natural body care line with formulations rooted in the soothing power of honey, but it also has an incredible beard-care line designed specifically for men. We especially love the frank juice product that uses herbs to refresh the hair and soften it, which is perfect for beard care.
Leave In Conditioner
Pattern Beauty
amazon.com
$25.00
Founded by actress Tracee Ellis Ross, this extensive hair care line has formulas specifically designed for different types of curly hair. After all, not all hair is the same. Whether you have tight curls or yours are longer and looser, there is a product in the line that can help your hair live its best life.
Beard Kit
Scotch Porter
amazon.com
$59.99
Scotch Porter’s mission is to provide solutions for the grooming issues all men face from head to toe. The beard products, specifically, are top-notch, and the brand also offers an extensive range of products from moisturizer to hair serum. We especially love the bundles, which make overhauling your grooming routine as easy as clicking a button.
One Love Co-Wash
The Doux
amazon.com
$19.72
Hairstylist Maya Smith started The Doux to specifically address the needs of textured hair. The cleansing products are designed to not strip away protective oils, and the styling products not only make hair look great, but protect it as well.
Castor & Moringa Softening Serum
Qhemet Biologics
ulta.com
$14.50
This Castor and Moringa Softening Serum from Qhemet Biologics by Felis Butler helps to soothe and revitalize dry hair.
Head Honcho Hair & Beard Oil + Butter The Balm
The Mane Choice
amazon.com
$10.00
The Mane Choice isn’t just about cleansing and styling textured hair. The products are also designed to help it stay healthy and even grow better. That’s great news for guys who are starting to notice a little thinning. The men’s products are also able to be used on beards, so think of them as pulling double duty.
Moisturizing Beard Oil
Velvet Noir Beard & Skin Care
amazon.com
$18.99
Roderick Foster founded Velvet Noir to provide quality beard care products for an affordable cost. The moisturizing beard oil features a blend of peppermint and cinnamon to promote beard hair growth and softness.
Nourishing Golden Oil
Oasis Haircare
iobeautymarket.com
$35.00
Donnet Bruce launched Nubian Oasis after becoming frustrated with the products on sale at her local beauty supply store. Its Nourishing Golden Oil features castor oil, watermelon seed oil, babassu oil and lavender oil to help get limp hair (or beard) feeling alive again.
Miracle RepaiRx Protective Leave In Conditioner
tgin
ulta.com
$14.99
Chris-Tia Donaldson founded tgin after coming up short when searching for products that worked well for natural hair. This leave-in conditioner acts as a protectant and helps to restore moisture, softness and shine. It also works on your beard!
Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Mielle Organics
mielleorganics.com
$9.99
Known for online buzz and deals with celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion, Mielle Organics, founded by Monique Rodriguez in 2014, offers haircare treatments that they say are designed support healthy hair growth. Its Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo will help clean and detangle thick, curly tresses.
Hair Boost
Nae Nae's
amazon.com
$39.95
Nae Nae was started by husband and wife duo Terrence and Nevadra (Nae Nae) Johnson. The Hair Boost formula comes infused with shea butter and essential oils for thicker, moisturized hair (and also functions as a body butter—meaning, it's also great for your skin and beard).
Moroccan Rhassoul 5-in-1 Clay Treatment
Naturalicious
ulta.com
$23.00
Gwen Jimmere founded Naturalicious with a mission to help those with coarse, curly, and kinky hair acknowledge their own beauty. The Moroccan Rhassoul Clay Treatment works to detoxify, condition and detangle your hair, and will help to moisturize the skin underneath your beard.
This guide is a starting point for those looking for black-owned grooming and skincare businesses. Here's where to shop black-owned beard products and more.