Women’s History Month honors the achievements of women throughout history, from trailblazers like Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made billionaire from her hair care products, to Elizabeth Arden, who built a cosmetics empire by 1929 and became one of the wealthiest women of her time.
Women have been making big moves in all industries, and we’re seeing a surge of women in the beauty industry. This month, we celebrate the women who founded these brands dominating the beauty industry. As it ends, check out our staff’s favorite products.
Supergoop!
Holly Thaggard and Maria Sharapova founded Supergoop to protect the skin’s barrier at all times by reimaging the typical SPF. Supergoop uses everyday beauty products with cruelty-free, lightweight ingredients to protect the skin’s most vulnerable layers. If you want a glow, check out the Glow Screen, or if you want something for daily wear, the unseen screen mimics your skin but is better. Supergoop has an SPF product for all skin types.
Shop Supergoop in stores at Sephora and online.
Shea Moisture
Shea Moisture honors the legacy of Sofi Tucker, a mother of four who sold Shea butter, African soap, and homemade products in Sierra Leone in 1912. Advocating for black women’s skin types, the global brand has expanded to products for the hair, body, men’s, and baby and kids collection. The brand also donates each purchase to help reinvest in Black communities.
Shop Shea Moisture online and at Target and more retailers near you.
Skinergy Beauty
Founded by Priscilla Jiminian, a native New Yorker from the Dominican Republic, Skinergy was founded on her struggles to find products similar to her skin. A common issue in many women of color is hyperpigmentation, and helping it without the harsh ingredients to lighten the skin. Skinergy has become a trusted resource for solving the skin’s trouble areas with award-winning products.
Shop Skinergy Beauty online.
Kopari Beauty
Kiani Cabell and Gigi Goldman are responsible for Kopari Beauty’s success. With a shared passion for all things coconut, the two women believe that “everything you put onto your body matters, so every ingredient counts. It all starts with mother nature’s hero ingredient, 100% organic coconut.” Coconut oil is used in many household products, including food, hair, skin, and nails. Kopari Beauty acts as the gatekeeper of active ingredients and coconut oil to create your new daily skincare routine.
Shop Kopari Beauty online and Ulta Beauty.
Ilia
Ilia is transforming clean skincare. Founded by Sasha Plavsic, she created the brand based on experience and having ultra-sensitive skin. Ilia’s mission to implement skincare into makeup started with Plavsic’s journey of recreating her favorite lip balm to be “safe, effective, and natural. And so the story of ILIA begins.”
Shop Ilia online and at Sephora.
Dionis Skincare
Dionis Skincare combines goats and milk for the perfect skincare routine. Founder Kate Crosby used her love of goats and goat milk, which has proven very beneficial for the skin and body, to create a cruelty-free, soothing skincare brand. With a mission to build on passion, authenticity, and determination, the Dionis team spends their days on a goat farm, creating and developing products with a whole team of goats.
Shop Dionis online.
Live Tinted
After going viral in 2015 for covering her dark undereye circles with red lipstick, Deepica Mutyala created Live Tinted. The brand is breaking down the typical “clean beauty” stereotypes associated with minimal coverage and chalky makeup, building up makeup for deeper skin tones, and creating clean formulas that perform well for everyone and offer more coverage.
Shop Live Tinted at Ulta Beauty and online.
Topicals
Topicals was trending on TikTok for its groundbreaking formulas. The skin care for flare-ups and iconic slick salve balm was founded by Gen Z duo Olamide Olowe and Claudia Teng; Topicals remove the focus on “perfect” skin and focus on “effective skin treatment,” making skin more approachable and less stressful. In 2023, Olowe was on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for the inclusive and cruelty-free skincare brand.
Shop Topicals online and at Sephora.
Llio
Llio is a luxury crystal-infused oil brand founded by Nia Thomas. Combining the power of oils and crystals, the brand’s “crystoils” come from Brazil. Llio influences self-love, relaxation, and healing from the products.
LYS Beauty
Founded by Tisha Thompson, LYS Beauty caters to all skin types, textures, and tones. The Black founder has made it her mission to ensure that all skin tones are spoiled with the luxuries of “clean beauty.” LYS Beauty products are highly performative and inclusive of all shades and undertones.
