Fashion & Beauty, Makeup • 14/01/2020

African Owned Makeup Brands That You Must Try

By: Sharon Kahumbu

Photo c/o @swiitchbeauty

 

I’m pretty sure we’ve all been caught playing with our mothers’ makeup as little tots since childhood. I had a personal preference for lipstick and I made sure I got it all over my face. This fascination with colour and beauty when we’re younger later grows into a full-blown love for makeup in our later years.

Brands such as Mac, Maybelline, Revlon and Color Pop, just to name a few, are some of the most common international brands that we know of. However, there are some amazing African owned brands deserve the spotlight just as much. In this article, we share with you some African owned makeup brands that may just become part of your daily makeup routine.

 

Joanna Kinuthia Cosmetics

 

This is a brand that I have loved even before it launched as it is owned by our very own Joanna Kinuthia, a popular Kenyan YouTuber and entrepreneur. She first started her makeup line with four lipstick shades and a very diverse eyeshadow palette. Her eyeshadow palette particularly stands out for the imagery it portrays – a young African woman in the big city, a visual not many makeup brands represent. Since her first launch, Joanna has released a line of false lashes and new shades of lipstick.

 

Juvia’s Place

Photo c/o @juviasplace

 

Juvia’s place is founded by Chichi Eburu with only $ 2000 in capital. It started in 2015 and since then it has grown astronomically to the brand it has become today. Juvia’s place offers a variety of makeup from their iconic eyeshadow palettes, foundations, concealers, highlighters and more. It doesn’t come as a surprise that this brand has even been reviewed by numerous YouTube beauty gurus such as Nikkie Tutorials and Jeffree Stars. The reviews have been very positive making Juvia’s place a makeup brand to keep an eye on.

 

Zaron Cosmetics

Photo c/o @zaroncosmetics

 

This Nigerian based cosmetics company was initially started in Leeds, the United Kingdom in 2010. Since then, they have gone under many changes in their name through the years till they reach the name “Zaron Cosmetics”. The CEO of this cosmetics is none other than the lovely, Oke Maduewesi. They aim to provide diverse products for women of colour in different environmental conditions. Their headquarters is currently in Ikoyi, Lagos. They distribute their products in Nigeria as well as other African countries, offering a range of products from lashes to foundation.

 

House of Tara International

 

House of Tara International was conceived in Nigeria in 1998. This makeup brand leads the bridal makeup profession and launched the first Nigerian bridal directory between the years of 1998 and 1999. The CEO of House of Tara International is Tara Fela-Durotoye. With her leadership and the help of her team, House of Tara has established itself in 11 states in Nigeria. Their products also retail in South Africa, Kenya and Ghana, offering a wide range of cosmetic products and even a flagship makeup school.

 

Huddah Cosmetics

 

Huddah Monroe has become a prominent figure in the Kenyan social scene. The socialite and entrepreneur started her make up line in 2016. She currently has multiple lipstick shades with Nimoh being a personal favourite. She has also created an eye shadow palette, eyeliner and makeup remover wipes. With raving reviews for each purchase, this is a cosmetic line that you need to try.

 

Swiitch Beauty

Photo c/o @swiitchbeauty

Rabia Ghoor started this makeup brand as a teenager and has since then been aptly nicknamed the Kylie of South Africa. The brand carries pretty much everything you may need in your beauty routine. We’re talking eyeshadow, lip glosses, highlighter and even setting spray. Don’t just take our word for it, have a look at their beautifully curated Instagram page, you may grab a treat for yourself in minutes.

 

We believe that Africans have so much to offer in the cosmetics industry. Our hope is that this article introduces you to some brands you’d be interested in giving a try. Leave us a comment below and share some of your own favourite African beauty brands.