FAVE WOC-OWNED MAKEUP PRODUCTS RN
JUNE 2024
Ok, so – you’ve read this and this and you’re wondering how I could possibly get any more particular with my products. Well, lately I’ve been thinking A LOT about the people behind the brands that I love. Who are they? Where are they from? What do they look like? Do they look like me? I’ve been honing in on the force that is purchasing power and making an active effort to support WOC-owned brands. Here, I present to you my putting-my-money-where-my-mouth-is list of current faves that are both clean and culturally-diverse.
FACE
LIVE TINTED | Founded by Deepica Mutyala Liquid Lip Crème
Yes, you are indeed seeing a traditional lip product in the face section. But, I don’t think that’s at all too radical given that Live Tinted did gain traction from a multi-use product to begin with…Anyway, this makeup hack has single-handedly turned me into a blush lover. I found the consistency of this Liquid Lip to actually be too liquidy and overly matte for my lips but adored the pigment. As a blush, I’m obsessed with how smoothly it lays and how softly it blends because of the matte consistency. Even over a tinted skin base, I’m always thrilled with how the pigment shines through, adding warmth to my complexion. It’s also incredibly buildable as a blush – I usually use only one dot and have always been pleased when I’ve added more. It comes in 12 shades – which I’m now thinking would be a very fun blush experiment – and I use Strong (Mauve).
Available at Live Tinted, Sephora, Ulta Beauty
TOWER 28 BEAUTY | Founded by Amy Liu Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer
I need to preface this by saying that I literally just found that I’ve been using their bronzer this entire time and not the actual highlighter, nevertheless…I used to take myself out of the running of being a highlighter girly because of my hesitation to add shine near my sometimes-oily-T-zone. But, this product has revolutionized my relationship with highlighter and shown me that more is sometimes more in this category. I love the way it sits atop my skin – without cake or flake – for a long-lasting glow. It feels flirty and fun and summery and light, and the cream-based formula lends itself beautifully to spreadablility and buildability. Shade Sun Coast is a true touch of warmth that I like to apply on my cheekbones, sometimes my collarbones and always the tip of my nose.
LIPS
KOSAS | Founded by Sheena Zadeh-Daly Wet Lip Oil
On some level, I feel like I was already a fan of this brand before trying it because of how good their marketing is. The lip oils had been on my mind for a while and it felt like fate when shade Unbuttoned happened to be the Sephora birthday gift. Now, as the newest part of my routine, I can say for certain that I love this product. It’s the most luxurious, elegant sheen that brightens up the entire face. It smells nice and light and it’s an excellent, classy shimmer without an overwhelming glitter. I always keep this in my purse for juicy lips on demand!
Available at Kosas, Sephora, The Detox Market
TOWER 28 BEAUTY | Founded by Amy Liu ShineOn Lip Jelly
I’ve been a fan of these glosses for some time now and have recently changed the way I incorporate them into my routine. These days, I use these lip jellies as more of a lip stain – I love the pigments but find that the peak colour isn’t particularly long-lasting since the jelly consistency only sits on top of the lips (compared to something like a Kosas oil that really blends in from the start). As a lip stain, I expect a more toned-down version that still adds a little colour and dimension to the face. My latest jelly additions are in shades Wild and Pistachio, with my all-time faves being XOXO followed by Spicy. Lastly, I would honestly be utterly remiss if I didn’t mention the fantastic price point, making this one of my most-purchased products to date.
EYES
LIVE TINTED | Founded by Deepica Mutyala Longwearing Kajal Pencil Liner
Let me start by saying that I have extremely sensitive eyes – we’re talking medical-grade eye wipes for whenever I wear any sort of eye makeup. I feel like with this liner, I’ve finally found one that is gentle enough yet can also create a smoulder when I want. I like that the pigment is super black to create a sleek look – I obviously tested 20 brands to find the deepest one. It’s a gel-like formula which makes for a much smoother glide compared to pencil, which also means that it’s easier to remove at the end of the night (with said medical-grade wipes). I also like that it doesn’t bleed excessively - I only really ever do lower waterline so some bleeding with a nontoxic formula is semi-expected. Finally, the seamless application is brought together in a very solid-to-grip pencil that’s not too wide and not too long.
Available at Live Tinted, Sephora, Ulta Beauty
In my opinion, amazing, results-driven, WOC-owned products are as easy to find as any others. I hope this guide is a starting place for you, wherever you are on your beauty journey. Stay tuned for more on the blog, IG and TikTok!
Have you tried any of these brands? What are your fave WOC-owned brands and products? Let me know in the comments!