In the spirit of celebrating black history month, I have composed a list of ten black-owned brands that I could not seem to stop obsessing over all of last year. These brands get it. They get me. And that feels good. If you are looking to check all of the boxes–quality, affordability, effectiveness, swag, efficiency, professionalism, pressure, here is your top ten.
Love, Vera. I will start with lingerie since we are on the heels of Valentine’s Day. The Love, Vera brand has a certain je ne sais quoi that has literally made me love Vera. Everything is just so pretty and sexy. Their collection is plentiful in backless panties, which I am not the cover girl for, but the sets with a more traditional backside coverage situation are always an add-to-cart for me. And they’ve just launched these sets. Which yes, I have already ordered.
Tally and Twine. What time is it? Time for you to buy a Talley and Twine watch. Dear Randy Williams, I was looking for a gold watch, and you delivered it (on time). Honestly, I was so excited to purchase this piece. It is beautiful. And I enjoy wearing it knowing that it’s giving black history all year round.
Fenty Beauty. I don’t know whether to rave over the iconic styling of slip dresses, baseball caps, and statement coats or the creation of gloss bomb cream, sun stalker bronzer, and killawatt highlighter–this quintessential iconsim will have you at a loss for words. Dear Robyn Rihanna Fenty, congratulations on your precious bundle. …Congratulations on it all. I am speechless.
Glamaholic Lifestyle. And how do I carry around my Fenty? In my Glamaholic makeup cases, of course! So, dear Mia Ray, what up doe? Just as I am about to inform Anifa Mvuemba, you are also currently under consideration for an unfollow on Instagram because of my add-to-cart compulsion with your drops. I love your brand! Current status–carrying my black jumbo wallet and silver makeup cases around like a G. Thank you! Love, your fellow sister-girl from the D.
Hanifa. Say it loud for the people in the back; this blog is a Hanfia stan blog. Dear Anifa Mvuemba, as I was informing Mia Ray, I feel I may need to unfollow Hanifa on Instagram because the adding-to-cart is getting a little out of control. With my first purchase, I was nervous that my barely 5’0 stature wouldn’t allow that vivid blue Olivia maxi dress to love me right, yet here we are in a beautiful relationship together. And after my hot pink Miya cardigan dress arrives in the mail in the coming days, please do not send another beautiful creation down my timeline that steals my heart, lest I have to buy whatever that is too.
Harper Ray. In my Beyoncé voice, body gon’ shine, bling-bling, body. Dear Gillian Bradley, thank you for keeping me feeling like such a (bleeping) princess. Ghetto fabulous, yes! I love it!
Summier Artistry. Also in my Beyoncé voice, I got Summier on my beat, and my beat got sicker! Last year I lucked up into sitting in Summier’s chair for makeup; thirty minutes later, I picked up the mirror. And that is the story of how she became a bestie. It’s the efficiency for me, the consistency for me; it’s the beat giving what needs to be given. Thank you, Summier! Book her! (But not on the days that I need her.)
Briana Rashaun. I am not going to unleash all of my love for Briana Rashaun at the moment. You will hear about it soon enough in a dedicated blog post. But I saw something on Pinterest a few weeks ago that said, ‘life is more beautiful when you meet the right hairdresser.’ How true. Briana’s got my hair growing, glowing, and flowing. Book her! (But again, not on the days I need her.)
The Doux. Will I ever want to not slick my “baby hairs” down into swoops and squiggles when I’m rocking my perfect knotless braids? That would be a no. But, because of my hair color and texture, it has been a struggle to find a product that works to do this to my liking. Enters, the Doux Mousse Def Defining Foam—problem solved. Last year, it was a go-to. I haven’t used it yet this year, but the Doux will be back into regular rotation as soon as I can make my way back into Jana’s chair for some braids (Jana Smith is also a fave of mine! Her braids are perfection.)
The Honey Pot Company. And lastly, but definitely not the least of them, all hail the Honey Pot Company. Dear Beatrice Dixon, please stay in business forever so that I and my honeypot can live happily ever after. And for the rest of my life, I will continue to regularly go into Tarjay (aka Target) and clear the shelves of every bottle of lavender panty spray, every fuchsia-colored package of organic herbal pads, every orange bottle of foaming wash, and all of the boxes of feminine wipes (the individually wrapped ones because they travel more manageable). Love, a grateful customer.
Thank you all for making me feel pretty, sexy, and put together last year. Cheers to another year together! Love, Amyre. Happy black history month!
What are some of your favorite black-owned brands?
