Have you ever grabbed a MAC lip gloss or L’Oreal blush and wondered when you would get to see African beauty brands grow to their level of popularity and become top of mind? Cosmetics brands, from makeup to skin care, are springing up in Africa now more than before, but how many of them rate high in quality? We have created a list of African beauty products, owned by African women, that other women are raving about.
Great shades for brown skin
Iman Cosmetics, of course, made the list. Designed for multi-cultural women with a wide offering for the varying skin tones of black women, this brand’s products range from skincare, lipsticks, eye pencils and mascara to foundation. Their makeup foundation comes in different variations of three shades: sand, clay and earth. See their collections here.
Nails!
Tanzanian beauty queen and fashion model, Flaviana Matata, has also created a line of non-toxic cruelty-free nail polish line called Lavy. Now this detail is worth being hammering. It appears nail polish is the first line of beauty products released by the brand. We’re tapping our feet in anticipation for more. See more here.
Brushes and highlighters
Colorbox cosmetics, owned by Ghanaian entrepreneur Stephanie Adu, also made the list. What’s interesting about this brand is its clever use of pop-up shops to market itself. Some of their products include highlighters for different skin tones, makeup brushes, beauty blenders and faux lashes. See their collections here.
Eyes, lips and foundations
Zaron has been named one of Africa’s fastest growing makeup brands for women of color. Owned by Nigerian entrepreneur, Oke Maduewesi, the beauty line has presence in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, USA and the UK. Products range from eye and lip pencils to mascara and foundation. See the brand’s full collection here.
Do you have a favorite makeup line that didn’t make our list? Drop a comment below.