black beauty
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
The Future of Beauty Is Being Built by Black Nerds
The latest edition of the Melanin Edit celebrates all those people who were told they couldn’t be nerdy — and the communities they built anyway.
By Jessica Cruel
Black-Owned Beauty
24 Black-Owned Beauty Brands at Sephora You Can Support Now
Each brand has something fresh to bring to your vanity.
By Jennifer Hussein
The Melanin Edit
The Most Stunning Hairstyles We Spotted at Curlfest This Year
After a three-year hiatus, attendees showed up to the world's largest natural beauty festival with ‘fros full of flowers, curls in all shades of the rainbow, and intricate braids.
By Gabi ThornePhotography by Rachel Pickus
Patient Diary
Finally, a Liposuction & Tummy Tuck Story From a Black Plastic-Surgery Patient
One woman's account of taking the plastic surgery plunge.
By Kovie Biakolo
Making Change
Plastic Surgery Hasn't Always Welcomed Black Folks — It's Time for a Shake-Up
Surgeons are finally wielding their scalpels differently, honoring beauty beyond Eurocentric constraints.
By Sierra Leone Starks
Real Treat
3 New Inclusive Skin Procedures Worth Trying
Treatments that are safe for dark skin tones? We love to see it.
By Baze Mpinja
CHARMED, I'M SURE
Rihanna's Box Braid Charms Have Me Running to the Beauty Supply Store
Well, my next vacation hairstyle is decided.
By Gabi Thorne
TWISTS AND TURNS
Gabrielle Union's Hair Sculpture Belongs in a Museum
It's a work of art.
By Chelsea Avila
MUST FOLLOW
5 Influencers Creating Space for Black Women in Alternative Beauty Trends
From cottagecore to kawaii and soft living, these TikTok creators are showing up in spaces that have historically left Black women out.
By Danielle Broadway
SO ANIMATED
Why Is It So Hard for Some Animators to Illustrate Black Hair?
This artist proves there's another way.
By Jennet Jusu
BLACK-OWNED BEAUTY
These Black-Owned Allure Best of Beauty Winners Deserve a Spot in Your Routine
Step right this way for award-winning products that celebrate diversity.
By Sarah Han, Nykia Spradley, and Jennifer Hussein
SINGLE SERVICE
These Silk Press & Blowout Bars Are Redefining Black Hair Salon Culture
These salons want to give you an experience that doesn't waste your time, energy, or money.
By Gabi Thorne
BE WHO YOU ARE
4C Naturals on TikTok Are Fully Embracing Their Shrinkage
How one TikTok user's attempt to embrace her full self turned into a whole social media trend.
By Gabi Thorne
BRONZE MEDALS
15 Bronzers That Look Stunning on Dark Skin
In warm glow we trust.
By Shammara Lawrence, Gabi Thorne, and Nikhita Mahtani
RAPUNZEL COULD NEVER
Gabrielle Union's Chunky Cornrows Fall All the Way Down to Her Knees
We can't decide what's more glorious: her radiant skin or those long braids.
By Gabi Thorne
CURL CENTRAL
Tracee Ellis Ross Is Having Way Too Much Fun With Her "Exorbitant Amount of Hair"
The Girlfriends star's bouncy curls take center stage in this short clip.
By Gabi Thorne
PERSONAL ESSAY
The Holy Trinity of Skin Care and the Legacy for Black Skin
Writer Karen Good Marable chronicles her life through memories of three staple products.
By Karen Good Marable
The Melanin Edit
Joey Mills Helped Define '80s Glamour — and Paved the Way for Black Makeup Artists
In the '70s and '80s, top makeup artist Joey Mills was a model's best friend. He was also a Black man in an overwhelmingly white business.
By Alaina Demopoulos
BEHIND-THE-SCENES
Chlöe's Hairstylist Bought Her Cover Shoot Accessories at Michaels
Makeup artist Samuel Paul and hairstylist Larry Sims share the behind-the-scenes details on how they created each golden-themed look.
By Gabi Thorne
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Editor's Letter: The Legacy of Black and Brown Beauty
Three Black beauty editors talk about sisterhood, visibility, and the beauty of storytelling.
By Jessica Cruel