20 minute read
BEAUTY SCENE
BELLA BEAUTY SCENE
20 (MUST TRY!) INDIE BEAUTY BRANDS ∙ FLAUNT BODY’S GUIDE TO SMOOTH SHAVING MOVES ∙ HONEY BEAUTY
20 (Must Try!) INDIE BEAUTY BRANDS
By Janene Mascarella
It’s the season of change and if you’re looking to revamp your vanity and add some new all-stars to your autumn beauty regime, why not support and shop some of our favorite indie beauty brands? Here is the ultimate guide to the best under-the radar finds—outstanding and innovative independently owned brands poised to make waves in the beauty industry. Their goal: To disrupt the status quo with clever concepts and fresh formulations.
Ready, set, beautify!
CHRISTINA CHOI COSMETICS (CCC)
specializes in Asian-American and POC beauty, as well as underrepresented communities. Christina’s passion is to empowerment women through her products and makeup education. CCC is a multifunctional makeup line infused with antioxidants, vitamins, and natural ingredients. Her products and colors are true to their tagline: To help “Celebrate Your Unique Beauty”!
Must-Try: BB Cream comes in three self-adjusting shades. The multi-faceted, benefit-packed treatment cream primes, tints, nourishes, evens skin tone, and helps strengthen skin. It also protects against damaging UV rays with a broad spectrum SPF 30, and is infused with vitamins E, Goji berry extract, and a multi-mineral complex that helps protect and re-energize skin. $55, ChristinaChoiCosmetics.com
NATURALICIOUS is an organic, all-natural hair care brand of products for women with curly hair with a focus on women of color with natural kinky or curly hair. The company’s mission is to eliminate the frustration, time, and expense that can come with hair maintenance. As the first African
American woman to own a patent for natural hair products, founder and CEO Gwen Jimmere is a true trailblazer. She started her company after getting laid off and while going through a divorce with a young child, virtually creating and growing Naturalicious out of the ashes of her life. Thirteen employees later with a growing brand, Gwen is now managing her small empire remotely all while raising and educating her 8-year old son. Naturalicious is sold in hundreds of stores nationwide, including Whole Foods and Sally Beauty.
Must-Try: Hello Gorgeous Hair Care System is the three-step system that forever changed wash day. By using less products with better ingredients, you get bouncier, healthier hair. Formulated with Rhassoul Clay from Morocco, it deeply cleans without harsh soap so your hair’s moisture isn’t stripped. $56, Naturalicious.net
SAM VILLA is co-founder of Sam Villa® and global artistic ambassador for Redken 5th
Avenue. He is also the 2020 International Hairdressing Awards International Hair Influencer of the Year and 2017 NAHA Lifetime
Achievement Award Victor. He designs professional tools for consumers so they can achieve salon-quality results at home with minimum effort.
Must-Try: Sam Villa Pro-Results Straightening Iron is your new go-to iron for silky-smooth straight hair, glossy waves and curls, and so much more. It enables you to create sleek hair, effortlessly. Every detail, from the snag-free plates to the special temperature setting just for color-treated hair to help protect your color and prevent fading, is designed to make heat styling easy, fun, and ultra-fast. $89.95, SamVilla.com
ORGANIGROW launched with four products in 2016 and now has over 64 highly sought after products in its collection. OrganiGrow products are 100% organic and restore, transform, strengthen, and lengthen hair using uncommon ingredients like Chebe powder, an ancient African secret to growing hair that increases length retention; Muru Muru butter, which improves elasticity, boosts color, and locks in moisture; and black seed oil to help with dandruff and hair loss. Kay Cola later teamed up with good friend Kristin Smith to bring the same benefits to skincare. The duo launched OrganiGrow with a range of products that refine wrinkles, reduce dark spots, protect from the sun, combat acne, and more. A survivor of breast cancer, Kristin is passionate about what she puts on and in her body and believes everyone should have access to organic, natural products.
Must-Try: Sun Protection won’t burn if gets into your eyes through sweat. The all-natural sunblock is specially formulated to protect you without clogging your pores and causing acne. $19, OrganiGrowHairCo.com
TEADORA (Portuguese for “Adore Yourself ”), shares founder Valeria Cole’s Brazilian ancestral secrets in a plant-based skin and hair care collection crafted from wildly potent blends of sustainably harvested rainforest superfood actives that revitalize and replenish you, your skin, and the rainforest. They are proudly B-Corp-certified, which are businesses that balance purpose and profit. The company is also committed to fighting climate change through the conservation of the Amazon rainforest. Their goal is to become the Patagonia of the beauty industry by working with local harvesting communities to ensure the forest is worth more standing than cut, educating consumers about the importance of rainforest conversation to overall climate health of our planet, and ultimately replanting one million trees and preserving 75,000 acres in the Amazon Rainforest.
Must-Try: Wild Superfood Beauty Butter features a unique blend of Amazon rainforest ingredients with age-defying Cupuaçu, Açaí, and Argan plant stem cells to protect and rejuvenate your skin. Choose one of two delicious, 100%-natural scents or scent free: Life in the Tropics (a tropical mixture of coconut and vanilla that will soothe your senses) or Citrus Rainfall (a citrusy burst of oranges and lemon grass that will awaken your senses). $38, TeadoraBeauty.com BREAD is a new, clean haircare brand poised to disrupt the multiethnic haircare market with the recent launch of its collection of essentials for textured hair (3a-4c curl types). As a Black woman with 4c hair herself, Maeva Heim reimagined the complex and often time-consuming textured hair routine of every curly- and coily-haired human by simplifying her haircare wardrobe to a hair wash, hair mask, and hair oil. The assortment is vegan and cruelty-free and features functional, clean formulas that celebrate Australian native oils and extracts to help deeply moisturize, hydrate, and detangle even the most dry, tightly packed curls.
Must-Try: Hair-oil is a siliconefree oil blend for every day, multi-way use. Delicately soft but powerful, this multipurpose oil, made with Australian Kakadu plum, is anti-greasy and pro-glossy for the softest, smoothest, dewiest strands. $24, BreadBeautySupply.com
J. SANCHEZ MD SKINCARE is inspired by founder ZIRI SKINCARE and board certified is a luxurious, all-natural, ethical skin and hair beauty brand that focuses dermatologist Dr. Jany on making beauty accessible to fitness Sanchez’s hometown enthusiasts around the world by of Miami, Florida. The highlighting that skin care is collection is designed for an extension of good diet women of all skin types and and proper exercise. The life stages. She launched the brand believes skincare innovative brand with one goal products should do in mind: to simplify anti-aging more than just heal skincare with a powerful system your skin; . done that delivers. As a dermatologist, Dr. right, it can also heal
Sanchez knew where to find leadingthe body and soul. edge natural ingredients that would Ziri’s Moroccan ensure this collection produced the results products are touted her patients demanded and deserved. for providing sense of
Must-Try: Serum is packed with powerful wellness whose roots date back hundreds of years. innovative antioxidant peptide technology, potent (Ziri means “Moonlight” in the natural botanical extracts, propolis, three forms of Moroccan language Amazigh.) encapsulated Vitamin C, a high-performance fermented mineral complex, a natural retinol alternative, and a Must-Try: Rose Water functions as a potent uniquely eco-designed microrelief active that work moisturizer, and is rich in vitamins B and E so it can rapidly tone together to enhance the look of youthful, radiant, your skin, leaving it soft to the touch and plentifully hydrated. volumized skin. The high vitamin content confers Rose Water with a strong $68, JSanchezmd.com anti-inflammatory effect, which can help reduce redness, inflammation, and irritation. THE $30, ZiriSkincare.com SCRUNCHIE CLUB Must-Try: Fat and Happy Scrunchie, designed by Dallas-based cartoonist/illustrator Christine Suggs, is the perfect scrunchie for living your best life and partners with independent women and your truest self without apologizing for one minute of non-binary artists to create unique hair it. Fifteen percent of the profits from this scrunchie accessories. Each artist also selects a design benefits the National Eating Disorder cause she cares about, and 15% of all Association in support of the work they do around profits are donated. The goal is to create weight stigma and body positivity. scrunchies for those who celebrate what $15.99, TheScrunchieClub.com makes them different—and extraordinary!
BEAUTYBEEZ is a place where women of color not only shop for the best in hair care, beauty, skincare, wigs, and extensions, but can also choose to relax in the in-store spa or explore in a space created specifically for them. Recognizing the limited offerings of Black hair care products in Los Angeles, Brittney Ogike set out to create a space that provides unmatched customer service and the most in-demand hair and beauty products. With a flagship location in Los Angeles and an online store, BeautyBeez is a community for all beauty needs.
Must-Try: NATIVE by BeautyBeez s a collection of high-quality wigs + extensions crafted with the best beauty standards in mind. $135 for 16” of curly extensions, BeautyBeez.com
AVANZA SKIN is a newly launched skincare brand designed for athletes’ specific needs, such as sweat-related acne, chafing, and hair damage due to chlorine. The brand was founded by three sisters: a chemist, a dermatologist, and a financial analyst. All of the products are made in California, and are formulated with dermatologically proven active ingredients to ensure optimal performance.
Must-Try: a gel for workout acne uses clinically-proven ingredients to open pores, treat acne, and stop new breakouts from forming. For use in face and body, it controls early-stage breakouts and blemishes, helping clear them out faster, targeting inflammation and redness. It also helps prevent new breakouts by keeping pores open, clean, and bacteria-free. $42, AvanzaSkin.com
SEVENSKIN BEAUTY is a skincare company that merges science, technology, and beauty for the most efficient skincare treatments. CEO and owner Olivia Griffian has sourced the richest ingredients and researched the latest developments to bring innovative and effective skincare. SevenSkin was named from the seven layers of the skin and the numerical representation of perfection, and was created for women and men.
SATRELL features exclusive beauty products, such as lip glosses and nail polishes, that inspire creativity and expression. Founder and owner Nichole Wright named her brand after her two sons Samual and Dontrell. The collection is cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, free from harsh chemicals, and complimentary to all skin tones. Satrell’s mission is to create beauty products that are longlasting, moisturizing, and allow women to showcase their personalities.
Must-Try: What’s Nude Lip Gloss gives your lips a luxurious and radiant shine. This bestselling product is paraben free and mineral based. It also delivers longlasting benefits to your lips by providing ultra-shine, a pop of color, and vitamin E for moisturizing. $16, Satrell.com Must-Try: The Touch Activated LED Mask is the latest anti-aging device for at-home beauty treatments. The seven colors given off by light, penetrating different layers of the skin to target concerns like wrinkles, discoloration, and acne. The easy-to-use cordless and touch-activated mask is safe enough for nursing and pregnant women. The automatic 20-minute timer makes it easy to complete just twice per week. You’ll see results in radiance after your first use! $299, SevenSkinBeauty.com
BOONI DOON is a zero waste skincare company focused on developing products that are kind to your skin, our oceans, and the earth. They strongly believe consumers can make sustainable changes without needing to compromise in effectiveness and experience.
Must-Try: CALM cleansing capsules are designed as a powder formulation facial cleanser held in unique capsules. This delivery method aligns with the company’s sustainable ethos and ensures potency while eliminating the need for harmful preservatives. $38, boonidoon.com
I+I BOTANICALS is an organic and vegan beauty line infused with CBD, featuring four skin and body care products. Founded by two women on a quest to simplify their skincare routines using effective and trustworthy products, I+I Botanicals expertly crafts formulations that are good for the body, good for the earth, and good for the soul. The brand pairs American-grown, labtested CBD with clean, responsibly sourced ingredients to create a lineup of products that is suitable for all skin types and addresses some of our biggest skincare issues. Must-Try: Dry Oil Body Mist mimics the natural oils found in the skin and hair to leave your body feeling nourished and refreshed. It is carefully crafted to quickly absorb into the skin and provide an effortless, hydrated glow that won’t clog your pores or leave you feeling greasy. Nutrient-dense Moringa oil protects the skin against free radicals, reducing the visible signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. Its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties even help acne-prone skin. $59.99, IandIBotanicals.com
RAHUA ®
is a hair, body, and wellness brand created with Symbiotic® rainforestgrown ingredients hand-harvested by the Amazon inhabitants through ancient, ancestral ceremonial practices. The key ingredient, Rahua oil, is rich in Omega 9 nutrients, which miraculously nourish hair and skin through superfine molecules. Rahua delivers thoughtful beauty experiences while respecting the earth’s cycle: one bottle purchased = one acre preserved. Must-Try:
Legendary Amazon
Oil is a quick-absorbing hair oil solution that provides a beautifully smooth, shiny, antifrizz, flawless finish that’s plant-based and silicone free. Just a couple of drops of the highly effective organic, vegan, and gluten-free formula deeply treats hair by nourishing, strengthening, and smoothing the cuticle. $42, Rahua.com
Must-Try:
AHA 10% Brightening + Exfoliating Cleanser
features a powerful combination of alpha hydroxy acids with a variety of nourishing, resurfacing, brightening, and moisturizing ingredients, making this cleanser a holy grail for virtually all types of skincare woes. $35, EmmausBeauty.com
EMMAUS BEAUTY
was born from founder Aminah Sagoe’s mission to create skincare products with natural active ingredients that actually work, and that you can truly trust on your skin. It all began when she started sifting through countless products on the market in search of formulas that would help her own skin issues. Her search fell short, and led to a discovery that many ingredients commonly used in skincare are either ineffective or straight-up harmful. After learning how ingredients work with different skin types and how to safely incorporate them into effective formulas, she created her own line of wholesome products that produce lasting results.
DR. SEBI’S CELL FOOD products are plant-based, 100% natural, and inspired by the 30 years of hands-on experience and accumulated knowledge of Dr. Sebi, who was a pathologist, herbalist, biochemist, and naturalist. His perspective on holistic wellness is grounded in a distinctly African approach rooted in natural remedies for treating pathologies. Dr. Sebi’s Cell Food is a distinguished producer of herbal teas, natural skin and hair care, and plant-based supplements for those seeking positive pathways to improving their lives.
Must-Try: Hair Food Oil is gentle enough for daily use, and it nourishes the hair and the scalp with vital natural ingredients that include batana and coconut oil, known for their uses in repairing damaged hair, reversing hair loss, and encouraging hair growth. $18, DrSebisCellFood.com
SHAZ & KIKS is a new Ayurvedic-inspired haircare brand founded by two sisters. The brand pays homage to their Indian heritage and the beauty rituals that have been passed down from generations of women in their lives. Shaz & Kiks has transformed the traditional pre-wash step in haircare by using science-backed Indian herbs, oils, and flowers that modernize age-old rituals and formulations. Illustrators, artisans, and farmers help make the products, creating a sustainable cycle of production that gives back to their communities.
Must-Try: Back to Your Roots Scalp + Hair Prewash is a multitasking, creamy, plant-based pre-wash beautifully formulated with 20 nutrient-dense Indian herbs, oils, and flowers to nourish your hair root to tip, inside out. $60, ShazandKiks.com
THE TRAVERTINE SPA COLLECTION
is a lifestyle brand of organic skincare products, aromatherapy, and fine fragrances made in the USA. They travel the globe for inspiration, ingredients, ancient skin care rituals, and therapeutic body treatments. The result is a line of unique, vitamin-rich botanical products.
Must-Try: Eucalyptus Steam Shower Spray is an innovative line of aromatherapy products that turn your shower into a quality spa experience. Eucalyptus is the key component due to its many health benefits, such as its known ability to provide stress relief through facilitation of deeper breaths.
Simply spray downward two or three times into a warm, steaming shower. As the shower steam rises, enjoy the inhalation benefits of 100% pure eucalyptus oil. $45 (8 oz), TravertineSpa.com
Flaunt Body’s Guide to SMOOTH SHAVING MOVES
By Cameron Alexis Moore and Tiffany Tramaine 3
If you prefer a hairless body aesthetic, you'll likely perform some means of hair removal LATHER While skin is still wet, apply a lubricant: shaving cream, gel, or oil based on your skin's preference. A at least once a week. One of the shaving lubricant has two functions most cost-effective and easiest that prove it's a step not to dismiss, even in a time crunch. It lubricates ways to do away with body hair the cutting action, providing a is to shave it off, but before you protective barrier between the blade and the skin, and it acts as grab a razor and go to town, we a guide to avoid missed areas. We recommend following these five recommend shaving creams or gels with active ingredients like aloe shaving tips to help the process vera or another soothing agent for go smoothly: protection against razor burn.
1TIP: Use conditioner as a PREP Before each shave, commit to some light prep work for a more fabulous shave. Whether using a safety razor or a disposable five-blade razor, ensure blades are sharp and hygienic. Sitting in your shower, razors can pick up a lot of bacteria; clean with alcohol or a disinfectant before each use. Replace disposable razors after three uses, and keep the plastic cover on your razor when not in use. Assess if body parts with coarser hair—longer replacement for shaving cream in a pinch rather than soap, which can be drying. 4 GO TIME We've heard it before: Shave in the direction of hair growth. But honestly, who sticks to that rule? Most of us hop in the tub or shower and shave in an upward direction. That works well for those who don't have sensitive skin. For those who do, we recommend sticking to the sage advice of shaving than a manicured nail—require a trim. downward. Trimming longer hair helps the razor glide smoothly and avoids clogging the While going against the grain provides
razor, hindering a close shave. 2 the closest shave, it is more likely to EXFOLIATE We recommend showering before shaving, not after, to give your skin more time to soften. After showering, exfoliate to remove dead skin cells and smooth any bumps. No body scrub on hand? Use a muslin washcloth or a body sponge for physical exfoliation. Using a dry brush before showering provides great cause irritation and razor bumps after a shave. When shaving against the direction of growth, the blade bends the hair back against itself. This tears the hair at the root as it bends back on itself. Bacteria can then rush into this micro-tear, causing redness, irritation, and bumps. Shaving downward with the direction of hair growth avoids this. exfoliation, too. Scrubbing too aggressively with a physical exfoliant can damage the skin, so take care and rub in a gentle, circular motion. Try Luv Scrub Mesh Body Exfoliator or Public Goods Ayate Washcloth. TIP: Opt for short strokes versus long strokes, especially when working on tight and awkward areas like the knees.
CAMERON ALEXIS MOORE is the founder of Flaunt Body, makers of the award-winning Ingrown Hair Mask. 5 THE PAYOFF Now that your skin is smooth and fresh, don't forget to seal and protect your freshly shaven skin—we recommend Flaunt Body Ingrown Hair Mask for a one-andTIFFANY TRAMAINE is Flaunt Body’s consulting esthetician, skin care pro, and owner of a wax and done solution to soothe, restore, and moisturize freshly shaven bits. skincare studio in Houston, Texas. 56
Ever since grade school, I’ve been mixing up all kinds of beauty concoctions (homemade hair and face masks, acne treatments, face and body scrubs) using honey as the main ingredient. And that was long before I even knew of all the powerful and bonafide benefits. Turns out, I was on to something!
“Honey is super effective in helping the skin heal itself and prevent further irritation and infection,” says Charlene Valledor, president of SOS Beauty. “It is rich in amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, and minerals, and acts as a natural anti-microbial, antiinflammatory, and humectant for the skin and hair. Just like any natural product, the attributes can vary depending on the source, so you definitely want to make sure that you’re using a high-quality product in order to get the best result.”
My personal favorite is Manuka honey, a monofloral honey produced from nectar of the New Zealand native mānuka tree. It’s no wonder this “liquid gold” is a buzzing trend in skincare. This premium honey is widely known for its anti-bacterial properties thanks to the key compounds found in UMFverified Manuka honey. HONEY, HONEY Our Beauty Director Janene Mascarella shares the buzzy beauty ingredient she’s sweet on.
Reading to get glowing? New Zealand Manuka honey brand Comvita has an all-natural, skin-loving DIY facemask recipe I have been doing for years to brighten and moisturize my skin—especially post summer.
ITEMS + INGREDIENTS • 2 tsp Comvita Manuka honey ($56.99, Comvita.com) • ½ tsp organic lemon juice • 1 tsp aloe vera (optional)
DIRECTIONS 1. Heat a pot of water until water begins to boil. 2. Stand over the pot (at a safe distance), and allow the steam to open the pores for 1-2 minutes. 3. Mix the honey and lemon juice and stir well. *For sensitive skin types, aloe vera gel can be used in place of lemon juice. 4. Gently dab the honey-lemon mix over the face, being careful to avoid contact with the eyes. 5. Let the mask sit for 15-20 minutes. ALL READY TO GLOW No time to DIY? These are the five queen bee-worthy faves I swear by for fabulous skin on the fly…
Cobalt Honey Skincare Sweet C Serum
This honey-infused Vitamin C serum is formulated with three forms of Vitamin C and a touch of honey to brighten and smooth skin. Daily use helps provide brighter tone, smooth texture, and fade blemishes. $45, CobaltHoney.com
Karisma Skincare Quickie Honey Mask
This lightweight organic and natural honey and botanical gel mask intensely hydrates and purifies your skin. Active ingredients illuminate skin immediately, while powerful antioxidants promote cell repair and renewal. $85, KarismaSkincare.com
Aloisia Beauty Honey Glow Mask
This one is enriched with a deeply nourishing blend of honey, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, and Camelia sinesis (green tea extract) to purify, soothe, and moisturize inflamed, irritated skin associated with acne, dryness, and environmental stress. The result—a restored glow you’ll love! $8.50 for one mask, AloisiaBeauty.com
PRI Biohoney Natural Acne Cream
This hero cream helps treat acne naturally and promotes clearer, healthier skin with 20% high strength Manuka honey MGO 300+ and Manuka oil to aid the breakdown of acne-causing sebum. There’s also apricot oil to soothe and replenish skin. $23.99, ShopPRI.com
Swisse Manuka Honey Cleansing Clay Mask
This luxurious mask is formulated with charcoal and Australian kaolin clay to cleanse and purify, leaving skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Aloe vera extract hydrates and conditions the complexion, leaving it feeling smooth and moisturized—ideal for blemish-prone skin. $19.99, Amazon 57