Honoring Black artists in the beauty industry this Juneteenth

So, without further adieu, here’s just a few beauty professionals who deserve recognition for their incredible, transformative contributions to this industry we love so much

1 and 2) Annie Turnbo Malone and Madam C.J. Walker

Let’s start with the infamous, the incomparable Annie Turnbo Malone and Madam C.J. Walker. In a lot of the research we came across, these two are cited almost unanimously as inspiration for modern day artists in the beauty industry. 

According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Anne Turnbo started an early hair care business and with that success went on to found Poro College Company, a cosmetics school centered around Black makeup and hair care. 

Madam C.J. Walker followed in Malone’s footsteps, trained at Poro college and was inspired to start her own beauty line and educational space for black men and women.

“I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them!” - Madam C.J. Walker

3) Sara Spencer Washington

Malone and Walker weren’t the only successful beauty entrepreneurs in this time period. Sara Spencer Washington was one of the first Black woman millionaires, founding Apex Beauty Products Company. She was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2021 for her contributions to the industry.

She once remarked, “As long as there are women in the world, there will always be beauty establishments.” 

4) Tracee Ellis Ross:

You may know Ellis Ross first and foremost as an actress. But did you know she founded the highly successful Pattern Beauty? Her company focuses on textured and curly hair, products that are accessible and affordable, and some pretty incredible causes to boot.

“Annie Turnbo Malone is my biggest inspiration. A Black woman forging her own beauty empire was unthinkable over 100 years ago. She not only accomplished that; she also gave many other Black women the knowledge and opportunity to become beauty entrepreneurs themselves—including Madam C.J. Walker—at a time when they were banned from all work except domestic labor. I’m incredibly inspired by the precedent she set for Black female entrepreneurship and her willingness to help other Black women succeed.”

5) Vernon Francois (from Vogue article): 

Vernon Francois is a celebrity hairstylist and founded his own brand, named after him. According to VernanFrancois.com, Francois has loved hair since he was young, and focuses on the whole gamut of hair types and textures. Bravo!

“Being raised in a Rastafarian household, having an awareness of Ethiopian heritage and seeing the beauty of historical figures there was part of my growing up. Many personalities influenced and inspired me from that side of my story, but if I must pick one, today, I’d say Empress Zewditu, the daughter of Emperor Menelik II. She ruled Ethiopia in the early 1900s, was very elegant, poised, and wore her jewels and embellishments in a way that I found so mesmerizing; to me it was always a beautiful scene.”

‍6) Bernadine Anderson:

Anderson, Hollywood’s first African American female makeup artist, paved the way for future Black artists in the beauty industry with her tenacity and strength. She filed a class-action lawsuit for being discriminated against after not receiving work in the film industry and went on to work on some of the most well known films like “Coming to America” and “What’s Love Got To Do with It?”

Anderson discussed her big break on a youtube.com interview: “I was a very blessed person to have someone request me, which was Jane Fonda, during a period where Black folks didn’t work on white films.”

‍7) Nigella Miller:

Nigella Miller is a stylist and barber whose work has been featured in the New York Times and Vogue. From a young age, Miller’s passion for all things hair was apparent. “Little did I know I was a  boss lady from a young age,” Miller reflects on this time in an article from Essence. 

In that same Essence article, Miller remarks on the importance of her clients: “I try to make sure every client walks out of my beauty space with confidence. It just comes naturally to me. I’m here to listen and make my clients feel comfortable in their own skin, as soon as you sit in my chair you can be yourself. I don’t judge anyone. I give my honest opinion. I think being comfortable talking about what’s going on in my life with my clients, as well, has been groundbreaking because I’m able to build great friendships. It goes both ways in my salon.” 

8) Pat McGrath

Perhaps one of THE most influential makeup artists today: Pat McGrath (Vogue agreed and named her the most influential makeup artist in 2007). McGrath has proven herself time and time again to be one of the most revered, innovative, and creative makeup artists in the fashion industry. All despite having no training. McGrath founded her own thriving makeup line as well. Check it out: PAT McGRATH Labs

“When I was a child, the world of makeup was so different. There wasn’t the wide range of shades available for darker skin tones like there is now”

9) Shontay Lundy: 

Shontay Lundy developed the first sunscreen that catered to the needs of women of color- Black Girl Sunscreen. Lunday was mid career when she had an epiphany: “I spent nearly 12 years working at different corporations in Miami before finally realizing two things: 1. I needed to quit. 2. No one was talking to Black girls about protecting their skin.” from an interview with Shontay Lundy in Women’s Health Magazine.

Lunday is out there busting myths about black and brown skin needs, and breaking barriers in the business world as Black Girl Sunscreen continues to grow.

10) Lisa Price:

Lisa Price founded Carol’s Daughter from her kitchen table and now here she is: with a $27 million company. Carol’s Daughter focuses on beauty products for skin, hair, body that are more inclusive. Price saw a hole in the beauty industry that she hoped her beauty line would help fill; today, it’s one of the most recognizable Black owned beauty lines.

To wrap it all up:

SI understands the importance of honoring the contributions of Black beauty professionals every day, and Juneteenth reminds us of precisely how important this spotlighting is: “Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day. Although it has long celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans” from The National Museum of African American History and Culture article, “What is Juneteenth?”

If you’re interested in reading more about the historical importance of Juneteenth, we would highly recommend these articles from the National Museum of African American History and Culture:

The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth

What is Juneteenth?

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References:

Shontay Lundy: A self made entrepreneur spreading awareness on sun safety for people of color

Forbes profile: Shontay Lundy

Women’s Health Magazine: Millionaire Shontay Lundy

Forbes: How this Beauty Mogul Helped to Make the Industry More Inclusive from her Kitchen Counter

National Museum of African American History and Culture: Annie Malone and Madam CJ Walker

Baltimore Magazine: Sara Spencer Washington 

Fashionista: Tracee Ellis Ross 

Essence: In the Chair with Nigella Miller Hair

Vogue: Black Beauty Leaders on their Biggest Inspirations in the Industry

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