It’s that time of the year again, where finding the perfect gift for our loved ones is the ultimate struggle. And forget Pinterest when trying to find a gift… no one wants the same perfume or cologne for the 3rd year in a row. Let’s face it, there are better gifts out there! In fact, there are successful Black-owned businesses out there that can help you find the perfect gift. And what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than supporting Black-owned businesses? I’ll wait.
MIREILLE
Founder of MIREILLE, Mireille Mukiza had one objective in mind: she wanted to make women feel confident in their own bodies while making a fashion statement. For that reason, she created MIREILLE back in 2017 when she realized the fashion industry’s lack of fashionable plus size clothing. Plus, MIREILLE also caters to pette women as well, offering sizes from XXS-3XL. Since 2017, Mukiza has branched out and started adding different items to her shop. Now, MIREILLE not only has clothing from XXS-3XL, but they also offer jewelry. And yes, it gets better! All of these goods are handmade! Shop MIREILLE.
SANCTUAIRE
As a couple, Courtney Arrington-Baldwin and Donnell Baldwin started SANCTUAIRE because of the freedom that comes with running one’s own business. Interestingly enough, this particular outlook on life started with Courtney who discovered that her passion was to be her own boss. As entrepreneurs, they came up with the idea to sell wellness products, hair products, skincare products, and everything in between! In short, the Baldwins’ main goal is to provide the Black community with products catered to them, and only them! Shop SANCTUAIRE.
LEILA+MAE
Like SANCTUAIRE, LEILA+MAE caters to the Black community, specifically Black women! The brand has been featured in many brands, such as Glamour and Smashbox, obviously for good reason. LEILA+MAE offers vintage, affordable, and long-lasting jewelry. If you’re interested to learn more, please visit their Instagram, where they constantly utilize their brand as a way to drive traffic, sales, and attract new customers. Shop LEILA+MAE
Buttah Skin By Dorion Renaud
Dorion Renaud, the founder of Buttah Skin, was constantly searching for skincare catered to his skin. Growing tired and restless, Renaud took matters into his own hands. He figured, if he was struggling to find the best skincare for his melanin, others are most likely dealing with the same issue. This sense of urgency fueled his decision to launch Buttah Skin in 2018. Since 2018, Buttah Skin’s has been heavily spoken about because of its organic ingredients and the fact that it’s animal-cruelty free! For instance, Buttah Skin was featured countless times in VOGUE and the LA Times. Shop Buttah Skin.
The Lip Bar
I just couldn’t leave The Lip Bar out of this roundup! Whether you’re familiar with Shark Tank or not, Melissa Butler appeared on the show to promote The Lip Bar, confident as ever. Unfortunately, she did not land a deal with any of the sharks. But it was at this moment that resulted in its success. In 2012, Butler realized vegan and cruelty-free make-up lines were in high-demand, especially for people of color. She also had acknowledged the media’s lack of coverage on the matter, even though there were many brands selling products not catering to the Black community. Nevertheless, Butler had to put a stop to this, so now you can find The Lip Bar either online or at your local store, including Target and Amazon. Shop The Lip Bar.
Satori Notes Jewelry
Satori Notes is most notably known for its handmade, simple, custom jewelry. Launched in August of 2019, advertising her brand on Instagram, Satori’s goal is to provide women with jewelry that makes them feel confident and powerful by engraving encouraging phrases written on each piece. Shop Satori.
AVOCURL
Founder of AVOCURL, Jasmine Curtis had an epiphany while living in her dorm room in college. I mean, we all go through this. And so, Curtis’ niche seemed to focus on hair care, specifically for people of color. Being a curly-headed gal, I can relate to the frustration of not being content with certain hair products, where most hair care products are made with harsh chemicals. In AVOCURL, Black women do not have to worry about that problem because she bases her products on natural ingredients, including aloe vera, coconut, etc. From Jasmine’s dorm room to social media, to landing features on Good Morning America (GMA), Glamour, and The View, Jasmine and AVOCURL are taking the hair care industry by storm. Shop AVOCURL.
Amber Richele
After the Black Lives Movement (BLM), Amber Richele had a breakthrough. In May of 2020, she launched Amber Richele, while fully maximizing Instagram in order to gain more attention to her business. During that timeframe, when Black-owned businesses were being supported, so did her business, a business that sells customized tie-dye items. Also, Amber Richele provides anything from hoodies, leggings, sweatpants, biker shorts, and even items for pets. Make this Valentine’s gift extra special by customizing it with a certain special phrase or date. Use the inserted link to shop Amber Richele.
Anya Lust
February 14th is not pretty much around the corner. And trust me, lingerie is one of the best gifts to buy (and wear) for a loved one! Krystle Kotara started Anya Lust in 2015, with the main objective being to make women feel confident in their bodies. And what’s the best way to do that? Lingerie, duh! So far, Anya Lust has been featured in VOGUE, Elle, and Essence, making Anya Lust one of the most successful lingerie boutiques online. Shop Anya Lust’s Valentines Collection
Featured Image Credit: https://unsplash.com/@wyron
