3 Summer Beauty Looks Using Exclusively Black-Owned And Founded Brands

It’s safe to say summer is seriously heating up, and we’re here to help your beauty game follow suit. Ditch the monochromatic hues, and liven up your makeup with brights and bolds; wear your hair like a crown and let it live up to its full glory. We’re here to show you it can all be done using the best, breakthrough products exclusively made by Black-owned and founded brands at none other than Ulta Beauty.

In partnership with the beauty giant, which proudly honors the Fifteen Percent Pledge to dedicate more shelf space to Black-owned and founded brands and continues to expand their range of diverse product offerings, we’re putting a spotlight on the most trending looks of the summer. We’re talking the best of the best formulations and pigmentations on the market — some of which are brand-spanking-new — from foundations that feel completely weightless, to whipped liquid lipsticks that won’t dry your lips out, and so much more. Ahead, learn all about our summer anthem beauty looks of 2023 — then head to Ulta Beauty to support the brands that are bringing it.

Statement Lips

Who says you can’t pair a statement lip with shimmery eyes? Not us. It’s all about choosing shades that complement one another well — that, and blending like your life depends on it.

“Begin with a brown lip liner like UOMA Beauty’s Badass MF Lip Liner in Simone followed by a bold red liquid lipstick on top,” says makeup artist Jonet Williamson, who perfected the looks here. She recommends working in thin layers to avoid applying too much pigment at once. “A brown lip liner is great because it melts into any color lipstick and acts like a contour shade.” Williamson’s scarlett lip of choice? Fenty Beauty by Rihanna’s Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick in MVP. “It’s a universally flattering shade that looks amazing on everyone, plus the texture is great and won’t dry your lips out.”

For eyes, use a mélange of shimmering shades from Juvia’s Place The Blushed Rose Eyeshadow Palette. “Apply the deepest shade in the palette to the outer crease, a shimmery peachy apricot shade all over the lids, and the brightest pink color in the inner corners to open up the eye and add a pop of color for that summer fun vibe,” says Williamson. Then, layer on all the mascara — we love BLK/OPL’s Super Volumizing Mascara.

For blush, Williamson recommends applying your lip beforehand to get an idea of how much pigment you’ll need on your cheeks. “If it turns out too vibrant you can always go in with a little foundation to diffuse it,” she explains. “Juvia’s Place Blushed Liquid Blush in Coral Rose works great for this look because it’s not too bright, so it won’t take away from the lips; it’s a really gorgeous formula that melts into the skin beautifully.”

HOT TIP: Prep your skin with a nourishing SPF like Black Girl Sunscreen’s Make It Matte Sunscreen with SPF 45 to keep it protected from sun damage all summer long, and beyond.

If you’re thinking of going buzzed this season, scalp care should be your number one priority.

We love Bread Beauty Supply Scalp-Serum Exfoliating Scalp Treatment, a clean, vegan formula with ingredients like light PHA and AHAs to gently exfoliate the scalp, along with eucalyptol to help alleviate irritation and itchiness. So you can worry less about your hair, and more about having a good time.

“I usually apply scalp serums to hair and scalp to keep that new [growth] nice and healthy,” says Nigella Miller, who helped coif these looks on set. “Also, incorporating a five-minute head massage into your routine will feel amazing. This will increase blood flow to your hair follicles, allowing the scalp treatment to penetrate your skin.”

A Blush Moment

This dreamy, soft glam is always in and can be easily tailored to make it your own. Don’t be afraid to make blush the star of the show.

Prep your skin with BeautyStat Cosmetics’ Universal C Skin Refiner Vitamin C Serum. The powerhouse formula contains 20% vitamin C to help even out skin, along with broad-spectrum SPF 50 to protect against UVA and UVB sun rays.

For makeup, start by working light layers of foundation, like the new Juvia’s Place I Am Magic Natural Radiance Foundation. “The formula melts into the skin so beautifully and looks really natural once it sets,” raves Williamson. Then, use a warm pink blush — like the one in Beauty Bakerie’s Neapolitan Bar — and top with the highlighter to give cheeks a vivid pop of color. “This adds definition and warmth to the skin,” says Williamson. “Apply it directly to the apples of your cheeks and blend it out in circular, upward motions until everything looks seamless.”

To define the eyes, use a mix of brown tones from Juvia’s Place The Coffee Shop Eyeshadow Palette. “Pack on your shadow with a firm brush, using a lighter shade on the lids and a warmer, deeper brown shade in the crease to help really frame the eyes,” explains Williamson. “Then go in with a bronze eyeliner like Fenty Beauty By Rihanna’s Flypencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner in Puppy Eyez on the upper lash line for a little hint of shimmer.”

Bring it home with clear brow gel, a few generous coats of mascara, and a warm pink gloss to tie it all together. Mented Cosmetics’ Lip Gloss in Mauve Over is a buttery formula that never gets sticky but packs a ton of pigment and shine.

If you’re rocking voluminous curls, Pattern’s Curl Gel is key.

The brand prides itself on being inclusive of all curls — from tight and coily textures — so you can trust this product will work across a variety of natural hair types. It contains ingredients like aloe vera and coconut and cacay oils help to nourish, moisturize, and soften hair, while also creating flexible definition.

“The answer to controlling frizz is moisture,” explains Miller. “I would recommend applying moisture in every step of your hair routine — meaning incorporating hydrating products in your prep, in your styling products, and finishing products.” Expect to be left with some of the most beautiful wash-and-gos and twist-outs of your life.

Graphic Liners

Pretty, floating liners have been everywhere — from the runway to our FYPs — so naturally we had to try our hand at the head-turning look. Believe it or not, it’s way easier to execute than you’d expect.

Prep skin with Buttah Skin’s Oil Free Gel-Cream Moisturizer to give your complexion an unforgettable glow. From there, even out complexion with your favorite foundation before starting on the sole focus of this beat: the eyes.

“Start by using an eyeliner like BLK/OPL’s Precision Eye Definer in shades All Night and After Hours to map out your graphic shape,” says Williamson. “Then dip into a shimmery purple shadow from a pigmented palette like Juvia’s Place Culture Eyeshadow Palette with an angled detail brush, and spritz it with setting spray to create a makeshift liquid eyeliner. When you apply this on top, it locks everything into place.” (Pro tip: Spritz the setting spray on a separate palette or the back of your hand to avoid ruining your eye shadows.)

To ensure everything looks symmetrical, Williamson recommends working slow and checking on your progress in the mirror with your eyes open to see how it will actually look when you’re done (an especially good tip for folks with hooded eyes.) It can also be helpful to use a cotton-tipped swab or fine eyeliner brush dipped in makeup remover to clean up the edges and make the lines super sharp. Cap the eyes off with a few liberal coats of Fenty’s Hella Thicc Volumizing Mascara.

Since this look is all about the eyes, you can keep the skin clean and minimal — no blush or highlighter needed. Finish off by defining brows with UOMA Beauty’s Brow-FRO Baby Hair Pencil and coating lips with a layer of shimmery, light pink lip gloss, such as the Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Fu$$y.

For long, waist-grazing braids (a.k.a. the Black girl look of summer), streamlining maintenance is key.

The style is easy, beautiful, and freeing, and just because plaits tend to have a uniform look, doesn’t mean they have to be plain. To play up your style, reach for MIELLE’s Rosemary Mint Strengthening Edge Gel, which boasts ingredients like biotin, coconut oil, and babassu seed oil to help promote strong edges, as well as sleek and shiny baby hairs.

“The key to keeping your braids looking fresh is making sure your edges are to your liking,” says Miller. “The most important part is using the right edge control that promotes hair health and growth.”

Photographer: Christian Cody; Makeup: Jonet Williamson; Hair: Nigella Miller; Wardrobe Stylist: Joiee Thorpe; Art Director: Angela Poccia/BDG; Designer: Alexis Apollonio/BDG; Production Lead: Danica Butkovich/BDG; Branded Beauty Lead: Shyema Azam/BDG.