available over $35
Black-Owned LGBTQIA+ Brands
At Urban Skin Rx®, our mission is to recognize, represent and advocate for accessible clinical skincare for diverse skin tones with the greater goal to create a world in which we can all feel beautiful, confident and empowered by the skin we're in. This mission is backed by our commitment to serving, representing and standing up for all to be heard, especially persons of color and marginalized communities.
In honor of Pride Month, we’re shining a light on the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community! As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the Black community and amplifying melanated voices, we kicked off Pride Month by announcing that in coordination with our June Surprise Beauty Box, we are supporting the Center for Black Equity and the National Black Justice Coalition, two leading BIPOC LGBTQIA+ organizations with donations of $2,500 each!
Additionally, we’re giving you the rundown on four black-owned LGBTQIA+ brands you should go support all year long but also NOW:
What is it? Luxury haircare for kinky, curly, coily, wavy, straight and damaged hair.
The face behind the brand? Vernon François is a British-born, Los Angeles-based, celebrity hairstylist, educator and brand founder who’s committed to helping everyone, no matter their hair type or texture, erase any fear of managing their hair at home.
The brand’s promise? “VERNON FRANÇOIS® Haircare will leave the world in a better place than how we found it and improve lives while creating outstanding products with an emphasis on curly and afro hair textures. The brand is Leaping Bunny certified, clean beauty, cruelty-free and vegan. The formulas feature the highest quality natural oils, plant extracts and botanicals. Our products are free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, gluten, DEA and dye.”
BatMe! Cosmetics
What is it? Cosmetics brand for every person. The face behind the brand? Founded by television personality, Jayla Roxx, BatMe! Cosmetics has reflected all that she is: beautiful, bold and brave! The brand’s mission? BatMe! Cosmetics creates a global celebration of queer individuality and the culture since its launch in 2017. They set the bar high for the creatives that find joy in every product! We are an affordable, vegan-based, gluten & cruelty-free brand that embraces every gender, race, religion, etc. in high hopes to build our growing community.
What is it? An indie bookstore in DC+MD specializing in diverse books for every reader focused on books that tell inclusive stories for all.
The face behind the brand? Hannah Oliver Depp, a Black and queer bookseller aiming to diversify the book industry and empower communities of color and queerness.
The brand’s mission? Loyalty Books believes that bookstores are essential to a healthy culture. They’re where authors can connect with readers, where we discover new writers, where children get hooked on the thrill of reading that can last a lifetime. They’re also anchors for our downtowns and communities.
What is it? Handmade jewelry and workshop facilitations created to adorn and reclaim Black LGBTQ bodies.
The face behind the brand? Vanessa (V) Miller (she/they), is an Earth/Metal bender, self-taught jeweler and social worker who merges their love of community activism and therapeutic interventions with jewelry design.
The brand’s mission? Black Queer Magic does outreach, donates and engages with community members from across the world. V is committed to centering the most marginalized folks in our communities and to being intentional and radical in self-care for those communities. She uses jewelry as a vehicle to reclaim Black LGBTQ bodies and believes it’s important now more than ever to continue being Black, brilliant, resilient, queer, and magical.
These are just a few of the Black-owned businesses that are doing great things for the Black LGBTQIA+ community. We stand in solidarity with every person and have a unique love for the “hustler” who works as tirelessly as we do to bring those at the margins to the center of the conversation. Support these businesses, and others like them, not just during the month of June but every day of the year!
For other information on skincare essentials, tips, and products, check out the Glow-Up Guide often!
