For Us, By Us: 5 Black Beauty Influencers To Follow On IG

Let's face it: the magazine beauty world has remained pretty whitewashed for the last… well, forever. This leaves many Black mainstream magazine readers wondering where to turn for reviews and advice specific to our skin and hair care needs. Luckily, the past decade has ushered in a digital revolution led by independent Black bloggers and beauty influencers catering to the melanin market. 

But what about the newsstands? Never fear, the sistas are here to bring us fresh, engaging, fun and honest content from institutions like Marie Claire, Allure, and InStyle magazines. These magical Black women (and let's be honest, they are Black unicorns) are making sure to represent for their tribe. From the best nude lipsticks for dark skin, to dying your weave at home without destroying it, these Black beauty editors are the epitome of creating content that is for us, by us: 

Maya Allen

View this post on Instagram

BIG LIPSTICK ENERGY ALL 2019. My most-asked beauty question is always which lip color I'm wearing. The real ☕️ is, it's never just one (you deserveee it all). I love layering for maximum dopeness. This combo is @smashboxcosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Bawse, @fentybeauty Lip Paint in Stunna, and @fleshbeauty Liquid Lipstick in Brazen. 📸: Grateful for a work friend like @rubcha who encourages me to get up from my desk for a five-minute fresh air break resulting in a fire picture

A post shared by mayaalenaa (@mayaalenaa) on Jan 23, 2019 at 2:32pm PST

Kahlana Barfield Brown

View this post on Instagram

Day 28 of my #Olay28Day challenge // Real talk – I’m legit impressed with the results. When I committed to this challenge I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t cheat once and my skin tone definitely looks more even. I’ll share a breakdown about the 3 @olay products I used soon, but for now I’m getting ready for our makeup-free fashion show tomorrow💃🏾 #olay #faceanything #sponsored

A post shared by Kahlana Barfield Brown (@kahlanabarfield) on Sep 12, 2018 at 9:03am PDT

Kahlana Barfield Brown, Fashion + Beauty Journalist and former Fashion + Beauty Editor-at-large at InStyle Magazine: One of the first Black beauty editors to make major waves at an institution like InStyle Magazine; this bonafide fashion and beauty hustler has proudly repped for not only Howard University, but for Black girls always in all ways. She is dedicated to reminding the world that Black girls are lit, and proved her self as a unique voice in her ten years working her way up the InStyle ranks. Kahlana has solidified her role as the fashion and beauty tastemaker, leaving us all in awe as she serves the children looks from Florence to Fort Greene.  

Khalea Underwood

View this post on Instagram

Joined @dove for their very first #GirlCollective, where 200 girls tapped into their power and were constantly reminded of the value of their inner beauty. I was, too. @SZA gave the audience a piece of advice that I won’t ever forget. “Don’t quit on yourself.” And don’t you forget that, either. 💪🏿✨🌺

A post shared by Khalea Underwood (@letsbekhalear) on Oct 7, 2018 at 8:38am PDT

Khalea Underwood, Beauty Editor at The Zoe Report: From her inspirational nail art obsession, to giving us the tea on the very best complexion products for deeper skin tones, Khalea (another Howard University grad!) gives us honest content on hair treatments for too tight braids and great haircuts for that big chop. This brilliant beauty makes content for the culture, and within predominately white platforms like Refinery29 and The Zoe Report, she is carving out space for sistas to feel seen and heard. Her work is so unapologetically Black and we love it!

Janell M. Hickman

View this post on Instagram

Next headshot or nah? Beat by @samanthalmua + liquid lipstick by @burtsbees in Rushing Rose. #Burtsbeesbeauty #LiquidLipstick #freeyourbeauty

A post shared by Janell M. Hickman (@jmargaretbeauty) on Nov 23, 2018 at 7:17am PST

Janell M. Hickman, Beauty Editor + Creative Consultant and former Digital Beauty Editor at BET.com: I have followed Janell's work from Essence, to Ebony, Gilt, and BET.com, and she is hands down one of the very best beauty and lifestyle writers in the game. Her wit shines through in product reviews, interviews, and now this Hampton University grad is sharing her wisdom in nearly every online and print beauty publication. From Elle Magazine to Cosmopolitan, this magical Black woman is putting her stamp on all aspects of the beauty world. 

Essence Grant

View this post on Instagram

Old pic, same #washngo routine 💁🏿‍♀️ Check out my #ExpectationsVSReality wash & go routine in my story ➰〰️➿! All in all, wash n go’s are as easy as u make them. They key is to manage your expectations to be realistic for your hair type. You have to be okay with however loose or tight YOUR pattern is. There’s no one way your wash n go should look in the end and there’s no curl pattern that’s better than the other, and that’s the beauty of it. Curl manipulation is fine and fun, but wash n go’s are all abt freedom and convenience so don’t get too hung up on altering ur pattern 🤗

A post shared by Essence Gant (@theessenceof_) on Dec 31, 2018 at 1:46pm PST

Essence Gant, Senior Beauty Editor at BuzzFeed: To follow Essence on instagram is to love her. She is leading Buzzfeed's new beauty platform As/Is and is using it to honestly and consistently spill the detailed tea on products that every black girl wants to try. What do you want to know? Fenty Beauty concealer? African Pride Detangler and Leave In? New Covergirl Liquid Lipsticks? Your girl has tried them all and has words for us! Continue to do the lord's work sista, we shall always be checking for your reviews! 

Ready. Set. Boss. Our daily email is pouring out inspiration with the latest #BlackGirlBossUp moments, tips on hair, beauty and lifestyle to get you on track to a better you!  Sign up today.