Twenty years ago, Black beauty consumers’ options were painfully limited. We were encouraged to make do with shades that didn’t consider our undertones, and hair care that didn’t understand curl patterns. All the while, the beauty industry got bigger, and even as Black representation increased, dollars spent on Black-owned beauty have not.

To help our readers make sense of this new landscape, we asked our editors and Beauty Council to share their tried-and-true Black-owned products across seventeen sub-categories of beauty, and then vote on their favorites. From the best hair tool to our favorite face serum, this is our inaugural list of the Best in Black Beauty. Every product on this list is made by a Black-owned and founded company. You won’t find any celebrity-founded brands on this particular list, but we love you, Issa, Taraji and Riri! Here are the winners.

From sulfate-free shampoos that are gentle enough for daily use (we’d never), to protection for your coils while you rest, these are products to incorporate into your next wash day.

Hair

Best Shampoo 

Miche Beauty Cleansed Moisturizing Shampoo

Kinky-Curly Come Clean Shampoo

Best Conditioner

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

Melanin Haircare Plumping Deep Conditioner

Best Scalp Care

Kreyol Essence Haitian Black Castor Oil

Girl+Hair Clarifying Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Best Styling Products

Uncle Funky’s Daughter Curly Magic

NappStar Super Hold Retwist Gel

Best Hair Tool

Felicia Leatherwood Detangling Brush

Briogeo Scalp Revival Stimulating Therapy Massager

Best Sleep Protection

Snatched Flames Bonnet

Hairbrella Classic Sleep Cap

Cleansing without stripping, moisturizing without oiliness, sun protection without a white cast… Our unique skin care needs have been carefully considered by the creators of all of these products!

Best Cleanser

Bolden Skin Clarifying Cleanser

EADEM Dew Dream Hydrating Cleansing Balm

Best Face Moisturizer

Buttah Facial Shea Butter

Mele Dew the Most Sheer Moisturizer SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen

Best Serum

Buttah Vitamin C Serum

Hyper! Hyper Even Vitamin C Serum

Ethically-sourced shea butter, African black soap, plantain skins, oh my! Whether you’re looking to exfoliate, detox or lock in moisture, consider adding these products to your daily body regimen.

Best Wash

Allafia Everyday Shea Unscented Body Wash

54 Thrones Alata Samina: Black Soap Detox Bar

Best Body Moisturizer

Hanahana Beauty Shea Butter

Oyin Handmade Whipped Shea Butter

Makeup

Glamour girls — we got you. Multi-use, highly pigmented and formulated with our undertones in mind (imagine!), these products will quickly become staples in your makeup bag.

Best Base

Ami Colé Skin-Enhancing Tint

Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder

Best Cheek

Mented Cosmetics Blush

Danessa Myricks Dewy Cheek & Lip Palette

Best Eye

Ami Colé Lash-Amplifying Mascara

Pat McGrath Labs ChromaLuxe Artistry Pigment

Pat McGrath Labs Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner

Best Lip

The Lip Bar Nonstop Liquid Matte (Bawse Lady!)

Ami Colé Lip Treatment Oil

Nails

This list will get you right from fingertips to toes, whether you’re into press-ons or lacquer; or just a relaxing self-care moment at home.

Best Nail Care

The Editorial Nail Juicy Cutie[cles] Skin and Nail Health Oil

Marché Nail Studio Calming Foot Scrub

Best Nail Color

The Editorial Nail TENX Press-ons

Marché Nail Studio Yes We Do Nails! Nail Lacquer