Since June is Pride Month, I am excited to share some amazing LGBTQ-owned beauty brands on my blog! But of course, you don’t need to only support these brands during the month of June. These are AMAZING indie brands that deserve a year-round spot in your makeup bag.
Pride Month is about so much more than just posting a rainbow gif or sticker on your social media page. It’s about supporting a (very important) human rights cause. Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t post your favorite rainbow, but you should do so much more than that. You should use your voice, your privilege, and your gifts to bring more attention to the LGBTQ community.
I’m never a proponent of going out and buying a bunch of makeup (in fact, I did an entire podcast episode and blog post about capsule makeup bags), but if you are running low on anything, this is a great chance for you to try something out from a smaller brand. You’ll probably be surprised at the quality. Just because big brands have lots of advertising dollars does not mean the products are any better.
Ten LGBTQ-Owned Beauty Brands
1. Roots and Crowns
This self-care brand has everything you need, from essential oil perfumes and tinctures to bath soaks.
Roots and Crowns is owned by Max Turk, a talented queer Jewish human who found inspiration in the healing power of plants that discovered all over the world. Before founding Roots and Crowns, Max became a certified herbalist and started a line of amulet necklaces.
It was through Roots and Crowns, Max was inspired to keep creating products that help people. Max hopes Roots and Crowns empowers people, educates them, and provides “plant power to the people.” A true modern day superhero.
Image: Roots & Crowns
2. NOTO Botanics
NOTO is a minimalist brand founded by Gloria Noto, who is the editor and founder of queer art-focused THE WORK MAGAZINE.
At NOTO, her goal is to provide gender-fluid products that everyone can use. This result is achieved by producing gender neutral fragrances, which is a delicate balancing act challenging social constructs and smell biases.
One of the things I like the most about NOTO (apart from their products and message) is that they give 100% of the profits one of their products — the Agender Oil — to organizations that focus on LGBTQIA+, environmental, and civil causes. That’s call putting your money where your mouth is.
Image: Noto Botanics
3. W3ll People
W3ll People is a hugely popular brand (you know when you’ve hit Target shelves, you’ve made it big time!).
This line was founded by lesbian makeup artist Shirley Pinkson. Shirley has held prestigious positions at Barney’s New York, M.A.C., and Nars, so she knows her stuff. Her hybrid products deliver cosmetic results and skincare benefits all-in-one, which is always a plus. W3ll People is entirely plant-based with no chemicals or preservatives.
Image: W3ll People
4. Fluide
The brand was created by queer co-founder Isabella Giancarlo and CEO Laura Kraber. Several products were even named after famous queer parties and venues from all over the world. How cool is that?
Also, if you want want to try some bold makeup looks, Fluide might be the perfect choice for you because hello, have you seen their glitters? I mean, c’mon! Their line is colorful and exciting. Rest easy knowing Fluide is a cruelty-free cosmetic brand and formulated for all genders and all skin tones. From lipsticks to glitters to nail polishes, you can’t go wrong. Bonus, they usually fun special campaigns during pride month, too!
Image: Fluide
5. Dragun Beauty
Dragun Beauty was created by the YouTuber Nikita Dragun, and let me tell you, this is truly a historical brand. Why? Well, Dragun Beauty is the first trans-owned beauty brand. (Remember this for trivia night!) Dragun focuses on embracing “beauty lovers of all shapes, skin tones and sexualities” as they “journey along the road to self-discovery; unleashing the fantasy within.” Gotta love that!
Image: Dragun Beauty
6. Jecca Blac
While Jecca Blac is not technically LGBTQ-owned, Jessica created this brand specifically to offer a safe space for trans women to experiment with makeup.
The line offers gender-neutral makeup products and packaging and donates a portion of their profits to a charity called Mermaids which works to raise awareness about gender identity in children and young adults.
Jecca Blac also employs a team of transitioning trans women to provide financial and emotional stability during probably, one of the most trying times in their lives.
Image: Jecca Blac
7. Alder New York
Alder New York is less about makeup and more about skincare and hair-care.
They are a queer and female-owned independent skincare brand that focuses on creating products designed to work for all skin types, ages, genders, and ethnicities. The packaging is beautiful and you can rest easy knowing all of Alder’s products are vegan, too!
Image: Alder New York
8. Non Gender Specific
If you don’t get it from the brand name, this company is all about removing the gender gap in skincare.
In 2018, Andrew Glass, an expert beauty industry professional, realized there’s a gap between men and women beauty products and he created Non Gender Specific to close that gap and provide good products to people who wanted them. Andrew’s brand suits “all humans” who want a simpler and more effective skincare routine.
Image: Non Gender Specific
9. Volition Beauty
Volition Beauty is not just an LGBTQ-owned beauty brand, it’s also the first fully crowdsourced beauty brand out there.
How does Volition Beauty work?
Anyone can submit their beauty ideas on their website and fans vote on which products should “come to life”. Once that happens, you’re able to shop the products once they’re produced. Pretty cool, right?
Click here to see the current active campaigns!
Image: Volition
10. Hi Wildflower
Founded by the queer Bangladeshi novelist Tanaïs complexities of gender identity, Hi Wildflowe focuses on socially-conscious, colorful and stylish consumers who are looking for luxury and fine-crafted goods.
Image: Hi Wildflower
BONUS: Tecco Skin
Tecco Skin is a queer and Latinx-owned skincare brand for sensitive skin and deep hydration. Tecco Skin makes beautiful serums, oils, and cleansers designed for people obsessed with skincare.
The co-founders of Tecco Skin are driven by their passion for actually clean skincare that embraces biotechnology without the big price tag.
I hope you enjoyed this list of LGBTQ-owned beauty brands and I hope you found a few new favorites! I really do believe that makeup is for everyone (I say it all the time) and that inclusivity matters in the beauty world.
If inclusivity is also something that’s important to you, I encourage you to check out my book, Be Your Own Makeup Artist. Be Your Own Makeup Artist is a gorgeous 114 page, magazine-style, full-color book is written in gender-neutral, multigenerational, and inclusive easy-to-read language!
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Beauty is about perception, not about make-up. I think the beginning of all beauty is knowing and liking oneself. You can't put on make-up, or dress yourself, or do you hair with any sort of fun or joy if you're doing it from a position of correction.
