February is Black History Month—a time to celebrate the rich history, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans. At COCOTIQUE, we take pride in introducing you to new self-care products and brands, but we are especially passionate about uplifting Black-owned businesses, particularly those founded by women. As a Black-owned, woman-owned brand, we are committed to championing and supporting Black entrepreneurs who bring innovation, excellence, and representation to the beauty and wellness industry. Our support doesn’t stop in February—we believe in creating space for Black-owned brands to thrive all year long.
By now, many of us have heard about the cancellation of DEI Programs by the new administration. While we don’t know how much of an impact this lack of inclusion may have on our economy, it’s guaranteed to promote a ton of division. We hope that we can all unite and continue to support Black-owned brands no matter where their products are sold. If we choose to boycott, the brand will feel the fallout.
Supporting Black-owned businesses is important for several reasons:
• Economic Empowerment:
• Job Creation: Black-owned businesses create jobs within Black communities, fostering economic stability and reducing unemployment.
• Wealth Building: Successful Black-owned businesses generate wealth within the Black community, helping to close the racial wealth gap.
• Community Investment: Many Black-owned businesses reinvest profits back into their communities, supporting local schools, charities, and other vital institutions.
Discover Black-owned self-care brands you should know and love! Over the past 11 years, we’ve had the pleasure of partnering with some of these incredible brands—and others we hope to collaborate with in the future.
Skincare:
Black Girl Sunscreen: Was created by Shontay Lundy who felt the need for a sunscreen brand that caters exclusively to women of color.
Hero Product: Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion for Face & Body is a sunscreen for everyday use, filled with key ingredients, that will protect your skin from the sun and doubles as a moisturizing lotion. Black Girl Sunscreen dries completely clear so it’s perfect to use before any outdoor activity or even under your favorite makeup products.
Undefined Beauty’s: mission is to “undefine” the future of beauty through an unapologetic, uncompromising, unfiltered approach. Beauty shouldn’t be illusive or exclusive—let’s democratize it, says Founder and CEO, Dorian Morris. This Clean, conscious, inclusive lifestyle brand creates “clean-ical” formulas to boost, brighten + protect your skin barrier, we’re your unapologetic skincare bestie helping you navigate a confusing industry and simplify your routine with multitasking products.
Hero Product: R&R Sun Elixir is infused with brightening superstar ingredients Vitamin C, Amla, Tomato Seed, Rosehip and restorative Milk Thistle, Tsubaki Seed and Moringa. This nourishing broad-spectrum SPF 30 Glow Oil boosts the skin barrier while locking in moisture.
Beauty Stat was created by veteran Cosmetic Chemist, Ron Robinson. Robinson founded BeautyStat blog in 2009, demystifying skincare ingredients with a factual, chemist-based approach. After years of research, he developed a technology to formulate pure Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) at its optimal 20% concentration, protected from oxidation.
Hero Product: This Universal C Skin Refiner is a must-have in your beauty arsenal. Their innovative Chem-C™ Technology combines triple-patented Vitamin C with powerful peptides, enhancing our formula's ability to firm and smooth while our signature 20% pure L-Ascorbic acid targets dark spots, uneven tone, and hyperpigmentation.
Body Care:
Oui the People: Founder and CEO, Karen Young’s mission is to create thoughtful, effective body care that prioritizes skin health and celebrates individuality. Young says, “Instead of making clichéd claims about giving you "perfect", "flawless" or "anti-aging" this or that, our mission is to deliver "high-performance body care that makes you feel beautiful as you are.".
Hero Product: Hydrating Body Gloss This luxurious body gloss delivers deep hydration while boosting your skin’s barrier, leaving you with smooth, soft, and glowing skin all day long. Infused with antioxidants and nourishing ingredients, this lightweight oil-meets-serum formula locks in moisture and provides an instant radiant sheen. It transforms every application into a luxurious experience, giving your skin the hydration, it craves.
Brown Butter Beauty: Founded by beauty enthusiast and entrepreneur Christine Gant. Brown Butter Beauty is a celebration of self-love through the art of pampering. Their products include vegan and cruelty-free body care items ranging from hair butters and leave-in conditioners to body scrubs, soaks, oils and more.
Hero Product: Rose Elemi Body Oil is fresh and lemon-like with a pleasant, clean, and peppery scent that blends delightfully with Rose, Lemon Myrtle, Jasmine, Orris, and Galbanum for a dreamy yet intoxicating scent.
Hair Care:
Naturally Drenched was founded by Maggie Rose, a passionate curl expert struggled with her curls for years, understood the need for products that catered to textured hair.
Hero Product: Rebalance Treatment will help you hit the rest button on your curls. This lightweight treatment restores pH, boosts hydration, and enhances shine. Say goodbye to dull, dry strands and hello to soft, vibrant curls.
Canviiy: Founder, Sherrel Sampson created a one-of-a-kind scalp formulation to calm scalp irritation after her experience with an unbearable itchy scalp that would not go away.
Hero Product: ScalpBliss™, a revolutionary Itch-Calming Serum that instantly soothes and calms itchy scalps. Its organic complex gives long-lasting itch relief.
OLORI Beauty: Founder & CEO, Toyin Odulate says she created this Black-owned and woman-owned “after a hair coloring episode gone very wrong.”
Hero Product: Damage Be Gone Deep Conditioning and Restorative Treatment is formulated for both natural and chemically processed multi-textured curly, coil, kinky, and intensely kinky hair types.
tgin: Thank God It's Natural, the promoter of healthy hair is a manufacturer of natural hair and skin care products was founded by the late, Chris-Tia Donaldson. Today, tgin is under the leadership of CEO, Aris Singleton and COO, Dr. Piper Farrell, together they continue to carry on Donaldson’s aim to create a community that empowers women to be the best versions of themselves.
Hero Product: If you are looking to restore the nutrients into the hair, the Miracle Repairx Curl Food is your best herbal solution for dry, damaged hair. This daily moisturizer uses black castor oil and biotin to add healing hydration into your styling routine, controlling dryness and frizz. Free from parabens, sulfates, petrolatum, lanolin, artificial colors, or animal testing.
Cosmetics:
The Lip Bar: This vegan beauty brand was created by CEO, Melissa Butler, who turned her frustration into action. After stepping off the lucrative-but-soulless corporate ladder and rejected by Shark Tank, this determined Wall Street Expat turned her Brooklyn kitchen into her beauty lab and whipped up infamous, vibrant vegan lipstick.
Hero Product: If you are looking for a lip color that won’t dry you lips out and give you that extra pop, then you are going to love this Nonstop Liquid Matte transformative textured lip color that glides on silky smooth like a gloss and then dries down with a velvety matte finish. This intense, one-swipe, long-wearing comfy formula comes in 22 bold pigmented colors that pop all day long. Our fav is the award-winning Bawse Lady.
Danessa Myricks: The ethos behind Danessa Myricks Beauty, is centered on inclusivity and innovation. Danessa has emphasized the importance of creating products that cater to a wide range of skin tones and types, reflecting her commitment to inclusivity. This began her journey into makeup artistry began out of necessity and evolved into a passion.
Hero Product: Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint A skin-loving tint packed with Peptides + Ceramides for a boost of hydration, seamless coverage, and a fresh, radiant glow.
Ami Colé: Created by Founder and CEO, Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye to address the lack of makeup options for people with melanin-rich skin.
Hero Product: The winner of Oprah Daily Best Lip Gloss, this Lip Treatment Oil will protect, shine, and add a tint. This conditioning lip oil-to-gloss also nourishes and protects the lips, while adding shine and sheer color in a universally flattering shade.
LAMIK Beauty: Is a vegan makeup line made with natural and organic ingredients for multicultural women. Founder, CEO and Makeup Artist, Kim Roxie creates the highest quality products with the purest ingredients. Lamik Beaty is devoted to promoting the health of our customers and their communities. They also educate their customers with love and care.
Hero Product: Winner of the Ebony Magazine Beauty & Grooming Awards, LAMIK Beauty's Brow Gel brushes on to groom, shape, and set brows for a look that lasts all day. This soothing formula conditions brows.
Nail Polish:
Mischo Beauty: In 2013, Mischo Beauty was among the daring to revolutionize a highly toxic beauty segment – nail lacquer – which has been notorious for formulas chockful of synthetic chemicals and endocrine disruptors. We have had the pleasure of featuring one of their award-winning, richly hued, and high-performance nail lacquers in one of our past boxes. This sustainable beauty brand is a pioneer of clean luxury, offerings. We are committed to our philosophy to do no harm as we innovate across the beauty landscape, says Founder, Kitiya Mischo King.
Hero Product: This Bebe Nail Lacquer is free from toxins-- 10 FREE: no formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, triphenyl phosphate, tert-butyl hydroperoxide or parabens. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free & void of artificial fragrances.
Pear Nova: CEO and Founder, Rachel James studied art, beauty, fashion + life. After her formal education, she embarked upon a journey to apply her life’s lessons with the creation of her luxury nail care brand and safer alternative products for the beauty industry. Also, forged from the inspiration of female pioneers and with the desire to continue to care for women, Pear Nova is merging worlds: self-care + holistic beauty.
Hero Products: If you are looking to make a switch to natural nail lacquers, you are going to Pear Nova. Choose from a plethora of classic and trendy nail colors. Their Nail Lacquers are crafted for the SuperNova who understands that true style and self-expression are in the details. This vibrant, long-lasting 10 ml formula adds a polished touch to your manicure, whether you're heading to a meeting or a night out in the city. These luxury nail lacquers are vegan, cruelty-free, and 10-free, offering a high-end nail care experience with a conscience.
By choosing to purchase from these brands, you are not only investing in high-quality products but also supporting Black entrepreneurs and their communities. You can also subscribe to our monthly Signature Box. Each month, you will receive 5-8 full-size or deluxe travel size products designed to pamper you and bring out your beauty from head-to-toe! Choose a 3, 6, or 12-month subscription or order our Limited Edition or Past Boxes a la carte.