A-List - Beauty Zine February 2021
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A-List
THE
Beauty Zine
February 2021
“my mission in
life is not merely
to survive, but to
thrive; and to do so
with some passion,
some compassion,
some humor, and
some style”
– maya angelou
1
Dear
Reader,
The previous edition of The A-List was so loved
and well-received, and I cannot thank you enough for the
support. As we move into 2021, I hope you’re inspired to
tackle and achieve any goals you have set and projects you
want to complete. Today is better than any day. While I didn’t
plan on doing another edition until this summer, I could not
let Black History Month pass without writing about, and
commemorating, the history, innovation, and evolution
of black beauty that inspires the world daily. This edition’s
theme is beauty and a celebration of black icons, and hair and
beauty moments, and explores the beauty of being black.
I became interested in the beauty industry because
of my desire to transform it and make black representation
a standard, not a trend, in the industry. I’m forever in love
with black culture and the ability we have to reach new
heights and open new doors for ourselves despite the
adversity we face. The content in this zine pays homage
to the incredible people who’ve helped build the black
community, but also shines light on the people who
are building its future in expressive and vibrant ways.
Inside you’ll find interviews from established
entrepreneurs, learn about protective hairstyling, women
who love their hair, and rediscover the connection between
food and wellness. You’ll feel the hope, love, and light from
black writers and artists who wanted to share their gifts
with you.
Thank you to my friends, the entrepreneurs, and
contributors that helped make this edition so special.
Happy Black History Month!
-Aniyah, Editor In Chief
@aniyah.s
2
Editor Favorites
1
Thaddeus Coates’ “Gentle
Reminders” series is one of my
favorites yet. The art is beautifully
done with reminders to simply feel
and do your best.
2
www.hippypotter.bigcartel.com; $23
The Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 has
easily become one of my favorite
cameras. The shot is 3x5 inches,
perfect for capturing moments.
www.amazon.com; $85
4
Mielle’s Hawaiian Ginger
Moisturizing Hair Butter is perfect
for dry hair so you can style it
however you want.
3
www.mielleorganics.com; $10
Rosen’s Super Smoothie Cleanser
is perfect for energizing your skin
in the morning and cleaning any
5
impurities.
www.rosenskincare.com; $18
Telfar Medium Shopping Bag
is perfect for everyday essentials
and then some.
shop.telfar.net; $202
3
CONTENTS
Black Icons In Media
5 Curated by Aniyah Smith
8 Ebony, Jet, & Fashion Fair: Celebrating Black Culture
by Aniyah Smith
10 Black Creators To Watch
Interviews
11 Conquering The Spirit of “Yes” With Thaddeus Coates
Interview by Aniyah Smith
15 Innovation, Entrepreneurship, & Scaling With Jamika Martin
Interview by Aniyah Smith
Wellness
17 Skip Takeout: A Delicious Vegan Recipe
By BennuAube Amen
Hair
20 Let’s Talk Hair & Confidence
by Kayla Eubanks
21 Does It Have Good Slip?
by Brina Jeffrues
23
The Beauty of Protective Hairstyles
by Aniyah Smith
25 21 Black-Owned Brands You’ll Love
30 Valentine’s Day Date Look
4
BLACK
HISTORY
19 45
IN MEDIA The first issue of “Ebony”
is released by John H
Johnson, with a mission to
feature Black America in
mainstream media
1951
The first issue of
“Jet” is released by
John H. Johnson,
the title signifying
“Black and speed”.
19 62
Cicely Tyson is the first
black woman to wear
natural hair on TV in
“Between Yesterday and
Today”
19 67
Sammy Davis Jr. is
the first black man
on the cover of GQ
19 68
Diahann Carroll stars in
“Julia” the first American
sitcom to chronicle the life of
a professional black woman
5
1970
The first issue of
Essence is published,
highlighting black
beauty trends and
icons
1973
Fashion Fair launches by
Eunice Walker Johnson as
a makeup brand focused
on black women
1974
Beverly Johnson
is the first black
woman on the cover
1975
of Vogue
Tracy Norman, a trans
woman, becomes the
face on boxes of Clairol
products
19 88
Naomi Campbell
is the first black
woman on the cover
of French Vogue
19 9 0
Carol Ann-Marie Gist
is the first black woman
to win the Miss USA
pageant.
Black icons continue to open
doors and set new standards
7
EBONY, JET, & FASHION FAIR:
CELEBRATING BLACK CULTURE
By founding Johnson Publishing Co., John H. Johnson revolutionized the importance of
representation and celebration of Black culture in media with his publications, Ebony and Jet,
and in the cosmetics world with the brand, Fashion Fair. With a mission to showcase Black
America in mainstream media, the publications paved the way for black representation as black
people could see their favorite celebrities off the screen and see themselves in media.
Issues were published weekly with covers featuring black icons including Whitney Houston,
Michael Jackson, James Brown, Missy Elliot and more. Cicely Tyson became the icon of the
“Black is Beautiful” movement with covers of Ebony, Essence, and Jet magazine, making the
natural Afro hairstyle a key standard of beauty. Readers were inspired by the fashion and
beauty they viewed in the magazines and provided a new outlook on beauty and confidence
in the community. Accomplishments and milestones were made public in a positive light, and
celebrated by the community with readers collecting their favorite covers to remember these
successful moments in time.
Publications like Jet and Ebony paved the way for publications like Essence to build up and
exhibit the beauty standards of Black icons in media. Ebony’s last issue was printed in Spring
2019, and will begin again digitally on March 1, 2021, with Jet Mag’s digital rebirth following on
June 1, 2021.
This celebration of Black beauty translated into the founding of Fashion Fair in 1973, a beauty
brand focused on developing products catered to black women. Johnson’s wife, Eunice, noticed
models were mixing their own complexion products due to the lack of products developed
for them and decided to create a line dedicated to beauty products for black women (and still
remains the only department store makeup line to do so). The products were encased in beautiful
pink packaging, and provided a new sense of self-esteem and confidence, not only for Black
beauty consumers, but Black entrepreneurs. The brand had become the largest black-owned
cosmetics company by 2003 with $56M in sales. Long before MAC, Estee Lauder, or Black Opal,
Fashion Fair was setting the bar for representation, diversity, and inclusivity in the beauty world.
My mother often reminicises how her and her sisters loved the line for its foundation range and
lipstick colors that made them feel so confident to take on the day. While the line hasn’t been
seen in a while, Johnson Publishing Co. reassures its customers that it is not out of business, but
in the midst of transforming and rebranding itself for the new digital era.
The indsutry has grown to have more black-owned beeauty brands focused on inclusivity
including Pat McGrath Labs by Dame Pat McGrath, a black woman, and the first makeup artist
to be given the title by the Queen of England. As an aspiring beauty entrepreneur who values
inclusivity and representation, I can only be inspired by these founders and especially Johnson
Publishing Co. for being pioneers and celebrating the Black culture we are all so proud of and
inspired by. It’s the standard for how we should celebrate and uplift one another.
8
In collaboration with @editorialblk, a collective
started by Wendy (@wendysworld_xox)
dedicated to showcasing black editorial artists in
the beauty industry.
A space dedicated
to black artistry
is necessary for
creator visibility &
brand opportunities
to close the gap
in black creator
discovery and pay
disparity.
9BLACK CREATORS TO WATCH
Visibility is harder to obtain for black creators, so I want to
highlight some that have inspired me.
Wendy Asumadu Mykaila Michelle Kiana Mitchell
@wendysworld_xox @glambymykaila @kianamitchell_
Jazmin Noel Quintin Marcell Alana Auston
@jazminoel @quintinmarcell @alanaauston
10Conquering The Spirit
of “Yes” With
Thaddeus Coates
Thaddeus Coates (@hippypotter) is a black, queer, artist
and model. TheDC-native, and NY-based creator, he is a
force of positivity and creativity with his colorful art that
features self-care reminders and black reimaginations of
our favorite characters to promote black representation
in media. You can also find Thaddeus modeling for
American Eagle, Nike, and Target as he advocates for
models of size to feel comfortable in their skin.
When I met Thaddeus during my first semester of college,
he was so open-spirited and passionate about creating. It’s amazing to see his growth as an
artist and influence over the past few years, so I was ecstatic when he agreed to be interviewed
for The A-List to share his journey, mission, and advice for artists.
Shop @ www.hippypotter.bigcartel.com
The interview has been edited for conciseness.
Favorite Color? “At the moment, Red – it’s a strong color”
Favorite Scent? A candle from Bath & Body Works – Vanilla & Patchouli – “It’s almost done!”
Last Book You Read? AKIRA – a manga he read for the artistry techniques and inspiration.
When I asked Thaddeus what inspires his art, he immediately answers “the black experience”.
He describes it as being the core of his art. Afro-futurism was once his focus, but he wanted
to expand his creativity, “As black people exist, they are futurism. Even in the present”. Most
recently inspired by ‘90s and ‘00s cartoons, he is reimagining his favorite characters with black
skin, as featured in his “Black Gotham” and Studio Ghibli pieces. “Black beauty is black joy,
fearlessness. Representation is so important because people need to know they can be a star.
They need to see themselves in media.”
“As black people exist, they are futurism.
Even in the present”
“My mission is ever-changing and ever-growing as I learn what I want to say and how I
want to express it.” When I inquire about the community he’s built on his social platforms,
he describes it as a family, “I want it to feel like that because it should!” He is so thankful for
the appreciation and community he’s built that he (literally) cannot contain his excitement.
11He remembers people really bonding over his content
last summer when he put together a list of black-owned
coffee shops in NY, DC, and LA. “I noticed people were
responding and contributing to this by adding black-
owned shops they knew from their own cities.”
Growing as an artist mean overcoming fears and stepping
out of your comfort zone. Despite being afraid to use text
in his art, Thaddeus took the leap, and the artworks were
accepted with open arms and shared emotion. His series
“Gentle Reminders” started as a tweet, where he realized
his feelings were just as powerful as his art. He places his
mantras (which he collects in a notebook) on beautiful
backgrounds and shares the pieces on his socials and sells
prints! “There are often things I’m still learning, and when
I say these things, they come from the heart – it’s organic.”
Thaddeus welcomes the future with excitement and feels he is still growing but is insanely
proud of his accomplishments (and he should be!). He is grateful for all of the successes in his
career including a VH1 commercial, Target, Acura, Instagram, Nike, and Cartoon Network
partnerships, among others. “There was a switch where I just started feeling like “Why not?”
When you let go of your ego and restraints, you can do anything! Nurturing your inner child
is so important, and I’ve never been afraid to be myself authentically. I couldn’t imagine life
otherwise.” He states his one challenge as not being able to let himself enjoy the monetary
benefits of his career. “Growing up, money wasn’t something we had an abundance of, and I now
have to adjust to this feeling of security”, but I reassure him he has earned it.
In five years, Thaddeus doesn’t know where he’ll be, but he says, “I won’t be surprised, but I
am going to be grateful. I want to be happy still.”
He knows he’ll have worked with Rihanna and
Beyonce and knows there will be more campaigns
where he can continue to advocate for models of
size. “I know I do want to give the girls New York
Fashion Week, Dolce & Gabanna! Tom Ford!”, he
exclaims with the widest smile.
His advice for artists? “You’re only as strong as
your network. Sharing is caring; share the creators
you see, the artwork you enjoy, and build a
network that works in your favor. ”
12The A-List
P L AY L I S T
Rediscover the sound of iconic Black artists to
keep you dancing through the day
Click to listen:
13ebony gentle reminders jet
editorialblk hair protective
essence hairdye rosen skincare
fashion fair hippypotter
14INNOVATION,
ENTREPRENEURSHIP &
SCALING with
JAMIKA MARTIN
founder of ROSEN SKINCARE
As an aspiring entrepreneur, keeping up with brands and their
founders is second nature. Launched in 2017, Rosen caught my
eye with its amazing, effective products and fast growth. The
brand is focused on developing skincare products that work for
acne-prone skin. My personal favs include the Super Smoothie
Cleanser, Tropics Toner, and Tropics Moisturizer.
I could not have been more excited to connect with Jamika
Martin, founder of Rosen Skincare.
She is an inspiration to all aspiring beauty founders. She has
founded and led Rosen Skincare though its triumphs and challenges and has so much in store for the brand.
Read our interview below to learn about her journey as a founder, where she sees herself and Rosen in five
years, and her biggest advice for entrepreneurs.
Shop Rosen @ Target, Nordstrom, and www.rosenskincare.com
This interview has been edited for conciseness.
Favorite Scent: Woody, earthy scents. Especially in perfumes/fragrances, something musky
Favorite product from the line: Earth cleanser
Accessory of choice: Necklaces; a 1996 necklace and a necklace with her grandpa’s ring on it
Aniyah: What is your earliest memory of ideating Rosen? What was the inspiration?
Jamika: “Rosen was inspired by my personal skincare journey, having used medications and trying Acutane
twice to no avail. I remember visiting the skincare aisle in Target and realizing all the years I had been going
there and seeing no change in the brands or products in the aisle. Standing there in the aisle, I decided
something here has to change. There wasn’t enough going on in the mass acne space, and I wanted to bring it
up to speed.”
A: Since launching in 2017, Rosen has seen some amazing growth. What have been some triumphant and
challenging moments as the company grows?
J: “Seeing the products on Target shelves was the most triumphant moment for the brand. It’s full circle. I’ve
always imagined Rosen being an omnichannel brand and one of my main goals was innovating that skincare
aisle experience for shoppers. What’s even better, what makes me just love Rosen so much is seeing the
individual impact we have on people, and how the products have been working for them. All these people
who really care about us, our mission, and want to be involved with Rosen. We experienced a lot of growth
during March – April of last year, and then again in the summer, so that was great as well.
“When I first launched, I was nervous! I went a while before creating a website or Instagram and was
15selling the products through a local shop. I didn’t have a
lot of confidence as the founder of this brand. I had just
graduated, first time entrepreneur. I felt like I needed
people to cosign it. Learning how to manage cash flow for
the business was another setback once the business had
grown. With growing success and profits, I wasn’t sure if
the business’ cash flow was being handled properly and
began to doubt my ability to lead the company through its
growth. Luckily, I hired a contractor to help and we’re back
on track.”
As we talk about her company’s growth in the industry, I’m
curious about market reception across ethnicities. People
can assume that black-owned brands are simply built to
cater to black people, and that’s not true! It’s important that
we open the space and conversation to allow black-owned
brands to move freely and position and market their brands
as they see fit.
A: Do you find it hard to position your brand and assert
that Rosen products are for everyone?
J: Black owned brands are not just for black consumers. If
a brand’s marketing is not majority white, people think it’s
multicultural and then the assumed notion is that it’s just
for those in that culture. I’ve had people ask me if I started
Rosen because I couldn’t find products that work for my skin tone. I’ve never said that! Rosen’s products are
for everyone. We do have insight on how certain conditions will look different on various complexions, but
the products are for everyone.”
Jamika explains how proud she is of fellow founders for making their impact in the industry, “I’m so excited
for the skincare space with brands like My Topicals and Golde, building brands for spaces that they are
experts of.” Along with that excitement, Rosen wants to set the standard for skincare in mass acne products,
truly innovating the experience and options customers have as they shop for affordable, clean, and effective
skincare.
In five years, Jamika hopes that Rosen is acquired or on its way to it. “I have no idea what that means
afterwards, or how my role would change”, she explains, but it’s always been a part of the plan. She wants to
be able to build a peaceful workflow on top of her already well-balanced work-life schedule and be proactive
in her role. When I ask if she sees herself step away, “No, maybe a lighter role, but it’s hard to imagine being
on the outside and seeing Rosen making decisions and doing things without me.”
A: Do you have any advice for entrepreneurs?
J: “Focus. Find out what your brand is, who you are serving, and why you are the person they should buy
from. You don’t have to be super unique but know who you are. Then move to focus on your product strategy
and build as much information and data as you can to understand your conversion rates, and what will work
for you so that you can focus on that for growth. If you want to scale, you have to focus.”
16SKIP TAKEOUT
17Sweet & Spicy Basil Grass Noodle Stir Fry
This versatile recipe pairs well with vegan chicken or tofu. You can
go rogue and only make veggies and douse them in the thai basil
sauce for a tasty, fiber filled lunch.
Ingredients:
- 2 bunches of bean vermicelli glass noodles
- Broccoli
- Tri-colored carrots thinly sliced
- 1 green and 1 orange bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- a full bunch of Fresh Thai Basil
- 3 shallots thinly cut halfway wise
- 3 cloves of fresh garlic smashed
- 5 stalks of scallions or green onions
- one pack of tofu/2 cups of cornstarch + 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
Sauce:
- vegan fish sauce
- 1/2 - 1 full chopped thai chiles with the seeds removed for a mild
spiciness
- a heaping bunch of fresh thai basil plucked from the stem
-1/4 cup hot water mixed with 2 tablespoons of mushroom or
umami seasoning
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar
- juice 2 limes
Directions:
The key to a delicious stir fry is all about texture. You want your veggies to have both the perfect
crunch and softness. You want the noodles cooked but not mushy. The best way to ensure this is by
prepping every single ingredient before you even heat your pot, because once it’s on the fire it’s on!
1. Remove tofu from package and gently squeeze out water using a paper towel or cheese cloth. If you
have a tofupress, press out the excess water.
2. Cut into 1 inch tofu cubes and pat dry and gently coat the cubes in the cornstarch mixture.
3. Pan fry using coconut oil until golden brown about 3-4 minutes on both sides.
4. Make thai basil sauce by combining all of the ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
5. Heat water in a kettle and pour over your package of glass noodles. Let sit for no more than 5
minutes. Then remove from water and rinse with cold water.
6. Chop all of the veggies. It helps to put the harder veggies together and the softer “seasoning”
veggies together.
7. Heat some coconut oil in a very large skillet over medium heat. If you have a wok that is EVEN better.
8. Add garlic, the white stalks of the scallions, shallots, and half of the fresh thai basil. Keep the fire at a
medium flame. Watch your pot vigilantly so that the garlic doesn’t burn.
9. Add in the larger harder veggies and increase heat to a high to medium flame and let cook in with
the fragrant veggies until just soft with a slight crunch.
10. Season with mushroom/umami seasoning.
11. Add the tofu, noodles, and the green parts of the scallions along with the sauce. Kick up the heat
and toss vigorously in the pan to incorporate everything. I love to scramble some just egg in another
small frying pan and add some in to the stir fry. This recipe is colorful and bursting with flavor.
18Cover Art by Aniyah Smith
19Let’s Talk Hair &
Confidence
by Kayla Eubanks
I don’t think I’ve formally struggled with self
esteem or body image issues in the past. Don’t get
me wrong, I’ve seen people with bigger, longer,
and “better” hair, but it didn’t bother me because
I liked how I looked – but now, I love it. I’ve
always understood the importance of maintaining
my upkeep and as a woman, a black woman in
particular, that is largely centered around my hair.
Whether braided, washed and set, or in its natural
state, my hair was my pride and joy... or at least it should have been. Funny enough, I found more
joy in cutting it off than I ever found in sitting under the hairdryer for hours at a time.
I had been “natural” my entire life. Throughout high school I wore braids in different styles, I did
my twist outs, wore my puff and got asked, “OMG, you cut your hair?” quite frequently. Though
I attended a predominantly black school, most kids my age were unfamiliar with terms like
shrinkage, hair porosity, etc. They were getting sew-ins while I spent my nights busting my elbows
trying to perfect a braid out on 4C hair. The bond between me and my hair was seemingly healthy,
however, if my hair wasn’t right, I was not going to have a good day. Being able to manipulate my
tresses was amazing and it did wonders for my confidence. I am grateful to have learned to properly
nourish and tend to my hair in my youth.
Cutting my hair was an ode to being young and free. I was in a hotel room and I randomly thought
to do it, so I did. Contrary to popular belief, no existential crises were involved. I simply thought,
“What’s the worst that could happen?” So, I went with a friend to a barbershop and got lined up
and the rest is history. Upon cutting my hair, I was immediately awarded badges of bravery and
boldness. I was constantly told that I was changing my life and that a woman who cuts her hair
was all of these new and exciting things— and there’s truth in that. Cutting my hair has, in fact,
made me feel invincible. I’ve dyed it every color I could imagine, and I don’t have to worry about
damaging anything because it’ll all get cut off in a few weeks anyway. I can’t hide behind any bangs
or throw it into a high bun, but I’ve never felt more comfortable in myself than I do now. I walk into
barber shops knowing that my hot pink hair falling from the clippers is going to be the life of the
dustbin when it’s all said and done.
The point is: do whatever you want with your hair. Buy a wig. Get some braids. Flip it, dip it, snip it.
It’s yours.
20does it have good slip?
By Brina Jeffries
braid by braid
twist by twist,
loc by loc,
my fingers cramp as I wrap them around and around, around and around
my kinky hair.
we call it a “protective style”
but who exactly are we protecting you from?
YOU.
my dear hair,
treated with an unkindness by the world yet you grow so naturally from my scalp, a birthright that
comes with being black.
a gift.
sometimes even feeling much like;
a curse.
my dear hair,
I feed you, I tend to you, I care for you
You smell like the ocean’s tide, the breath of spring, the sweetest honey, the richest wood.
amongst the community you belong to, questions are asked by others,
others that look like you,
about how you are living so well?
“does it have good slip”?
Someone asks, referencing the food you consume,
the public calls it moisturizer
we call it your lifeline.
21my dear hair,
I cannot lie that I don’t sometimes have the impulse to rip you from my scalp, cut you from my life,
to simply get a break.
a break that evades the black women the minute she surrenders from the womb.
my dear hair,
why are you so hard? why are you so ugly? why are you so thick? why are you so tiring?
my dear hair,
all these things are true,
yet,
I refuse to live without you upon my head,
you set me apart from the rest, you encompass versatility, you are big and bold.
quite simply
you are my crown jewel.
22THE BEAUTY OF PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLES
BY ANIYAH SMITH
Haircare is one of the cornerstones of the Black community. Personally, I have done almost everything
imaginable to my hair to change its appearance from bleaching, dyeing, texturizing, and keratin
treatments. I wanted it to be straight, auburn, wavy, anything but the way it was meant to grow. I’d been
using a texturizer since I was 11, and tt was only during quarantine that I decided to “go natural” and
really love my hair for what it was. Relearning my hair has been a process all in itself. Finding the right
products to moisturize it, style it, repair it, and keep it in place is no easy task.
Protective styling has been a savior during my transition process, but I’ve always been appreciative of,
and inspired by, all the unique ways Black people can manipulate their hair to change their appearance
and feel like a new person. Protective hairstyles are designed to allow the person to conceal their own
hair with another hairstyle to protect it from damage. The feeling of a new wig, perfectly done braids,
twists, or cornrows, or dying your hair a new color can feel transformative. These styles have created a
way for me to express myself differently through my hair. When creating looks or getting ready for the
day, my hair has always been a part of the whole ensemble, it’s style having a personality of its own that
compliments or completes the outfit. There’s always a “hair schedule” involved, deciding what style is
right for when, how long you’ll have it and then what’s next to be done.
Braids can be traced back in African culture to 3500 BC, being used to symbolize tribe, marital status,
age, wealth, and more. The style has evolved through the years, gaining major popularity in the 1990s,
with box braids, cornrows, and more. Getting hair braided can cost anywhere upwards of $120, and
take anywhere from 3-7+ hours to complete, but the results are unmatched. The time involved can be
a bonding experience for a mother and daughter, hair braider and client, father and son, or friends.
Adding hair, colors, patterns, are all ways to transform your hair, “try something different”, feel like a new
person.
Lacefront wigs have a history of being used in theater and in the culture of drag queens, and Black
people have used them in new, fun ways and styles. This type of wig uses human hair placed on a lace
cap, to provide transparency and give a scalp-like appearance. They became popular in the 2000s in the
place of traditional wigs, allowing women more options to protect their hair without looking unnatural.
The vibrant colors, textures, and styles that are accomplished are always stunning. They’re typically
placed over a wig cap and laid down using a *skin and hair safe* glue, then styled as normal hair would
be. But, don’t get it wrong. Concealing our hair is in no way an admittance of shame. Protective hairstyles
are meant to give our coarse, coily, curly, thick hair, a time to rest and nourish itself, so that when it’s let
free, it looks, feels, and is healthy.
The beauty and power of being Black comes from our versatility (in talent, hair, styles, interests and
more). Our hair is one of our best features, and the ways we can style, change, and have fun with it makes
it so unique and beautiful.
23Art by Aniyah Smith
2421
BLACK-OWNED
BRANDS
YOU’LL LOVE
25ROSEN SKINCARE
This brand makes clean skincare products
that tackle acne bumps and scars. They’re
committed to transparent formulas that are
effective to make you feel cool and confident.
MIELLE ORGANICS
Healthier ingredients to promote healthier
hair and skin. This global brand is known for
its result-driven products and outstanding
customer service.
DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY
These beauty products are designed to be
used however you want. Inspired by makeup
artist Danessa Myricks’ kit practices, these
beauty products allow you to experiment and
look great any time of day.
MENTED COSMETICS
Started with the mission to create an arsenal
of perfect nudes for women of color, Mented
has created a range of products for women
to have the perfect products to compliment
their complexion.
OYE GREEN
Born out of love for braiding
experimentation, the founding mother-
daughter duo created their signature shea
butter formula that can be used for hair and
skin.
OUI THE PEOPLE
Thoughtful products formulated for efficacy
to get you the skin you’ll feel comfortable
in. the name is a reflection of the large
community of non-binary customers.
Inclusive, effective skincare.
26SHOP SAMARIA LEAH
If you want expressive, handcrafted one-of-a-
kind denim styles Samaria Leah is the place
to shop. No pair is like another and is full of
character, tailored for the perfect fit.
BROTHER VELLIES
In efforts to keep African design practices and
artisanal jobs alive, Brother Vellies creates
luxury, handmade accessories and shoes that
celebrate culture and timeless design.
BEAUTY BAKERIE
With the cutest theme, Beauty Bakerie’s
products are all inspired by bakery goods such
as “flour” setting powder and “sugar sticks”
lip liners. Healthy ingredients and cruelty-free
products to make you feel your best.
BREAD
BREAD creates haircare supplies for “not-so-
basic hair”, so you can style and flaunt it as you
wish. The products allow you to simplify your
wash day so you have more time to be you.
BRANDON BLACKWOOD
Growing up in New York and Tokyo, Brandon
Blackwood has developed a beautiful range
of handbags, trunks, backpacks, and small
accessories. The designs are high-quality,
timeless, and aesthetically pleasing.
27MY TOPICALS
With a mission to change the acne product
experience, My Topicals was founded
by dermatologists looking to make acne
products fun and effective.
HYPER SKIN
This results-oriented skincare brand is
rooted in multiculturism. The products focus
on treating dark spots and discoloration on
all skin tones, and enhancing your natural
glow.
UOMA BEAUTY
This brand is where beauty meets skincare.
Their mission is to create an inclusive and
diverse world of beauty with a rebellious and
innovative range.
THE LIP BAR
Vegan, cruelty-free, and inclusive. Here
to remind you that your beauty standards
are your own and beauty should not
compromise your mental or physical health.
PAT MCGRATH LABS
Led by global and first ever makeup artist
to be named a Dame of the British Empire
by the Queen, Pat Mcgrath Labs delivers
luxurious aesthetics through her elegant
eyeshadow palettes and divine lipstick.
28PYER MOSS
This fashion brand, often described by
founder, Kerby Jean-Raymond, as an
“art project”, reinvents itself every season
challenging social norms. Pyer Moss
delivers quality, beautiful designs through
storytelling, activism, theatre and more.
LAQUAN SMITH
LaQuan Smith is a Queens-native and NYC
developed fashion designer with a unique
sense of style. His brand has developed a
beautiful archive of distinctive garments and
details.
HANIFA
Inspired by a women’s journey through life
without limits, hanifa exhibits captivating
designs with bold colors and textures that
illuminate the female form. (Their epic 3D
runway cemented their innovative position)
TELFAR
“Not for you, for everyone” speaks volumes
for this brand that has risen to fame and
made it to Oprah’s list. The iconic tote bag
is a symbol of inclusivity and diversity. All
designs are accessible, affordable and high-
quality.
MARTINE ROSE
Through her authenticity and commitment
to modernity, Martine Rose has created
collections that consistently influence
contemporary menswear. Since it’s
conception in 2007, the brand has become
internationally renowned and critically
acclaimed.
29CREDITS
Curation, Design, & Cover Art by Aniyah Smith
@aniyah.s
www.aniyahsmith.com
Thaddeus Coates
@hippypotter
Jamika Martin
@jamikarose / @rosenskincare
BennuAube Amen
@_benyonce_
Kayla Eubanks
@suzylaflare
Brina Jeffries
@brinalaila
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