Get To Know: Black Radiance

Get To Know Black Radiance

Last Updated on November 20, 2022

Black Radiance is a cosmetics brand that empowers black people through accessible beauty and advocacy. Although this brand isn’t black-owned, they’re still dedicated to all things melanin.

If any beauty brand were to win a gold star for creating ‘slaying on a budget’ cosmetics, it would be Black Radiance. The brand was born in New York City in the 1990s after the founders realized that the beauty industry was doing the least for black people, especially women with dark skin tones.

Today, Black Radiance is on a mission to celebrate the beauty and strength of the black woman. They offer a wide range of cruelty-free products that are safe for people with sensitive skin and super affordable. Prices begin at a whopping $2.29; that’s less than the price of three avocado toasts. Who can beat that?

Get your wallets ready because we’re taking you on a ride, from its origins to why they’re worth the haul.

TL;DR: Black Radiance’s brand profile

The origins of Black Radiance

Black Radiance is a beauty brand dedicated to serving the needs of black women. An important part of the company’s aim is encouraging and empowering people of color to be who they truly are.

Black Radiance was formed in the 1900s in New York (unfortunately, the original founder is unknown). Their goal was to provide both makeup products specifically tailored to melanin-rich skin. As a result, their fan base quickly grew, thanks to complexion-enhancing makeup like the Color Perfect Liquid Make-Up foundation.

They became instant challengers in the makeup market. Even though Black Radiance had a modest beginning, it ended up making waves in the beauty industry. As such, major beauty firm Markwins Beauty Brands soon took notice.

By buying Black Radiance in 2003, Markwins was able to expand a tiny business into something previously unimaginable. Naturally, you would think the brand would be at risk of being shifted away from its core purpose. But, thankfully, this wasn’t the case.

Black Radiance remains committed to producing unique products for black women worldwide. Intending to be the most trusted beauty brand for black women, Black Radiance strives to meet client needs and deliver excellence.

Black Radiance‘s brand philosophy

Black Radiance operates with a clear vision: to be the most trusted resource for black women’s beauty products. The company works with and for women, ensuring that they have access to products, resources, and skills that are not available elsewhere. The company actively find ways to represent and celebrate diversity in the black community.

Serving the black community has been a significant component of Black Radiance’s goal for a long time. Through social media campaigns such as #BlackBeautyMatters and similar outreach initiatives, they have effectively established a venue for black community leaders and influencers to meet and exchange ideas.

In addition, the company makes sure to offer products and services made with high quality ingredients at an affordable price. They formulate cosmetics using the highest quality materials and the most advanced techniques available in the industry. Catering to black women’s needs while remaining affordable is at the core of what they do.

By focusing on the needs of black women, Black Radiance encourages a growing circle of intelligent, powerful, and independent women who aspire to be leaders in their domains of influence.

Black Radiance‘s product range

The brand’s collection includes a variety of makeup for eyes, lips and face, designed primarily to enhance darker complexions. Their formulas also tend to be water-based or oil-free to enhance their staying power. Prices start from $2.29.

Also, the line includes skincare products made to ‘enhance your natural radiance’, though it’s not a wide range. Below are some of our favorite products from the brand.

Eye Appeal™ Out of the Blue Shadow Palette

Eye Appeal™ Out of the Blue Shadow Palette

This is a gorgeous eyeshadow palette packed with 12 highly-pigmented matte, pearl, and metallic colors that pop on dark skin tones, allowing for bold, colorful eyes. It comes in 3 different color hues: greens, browns, blues.

0.264 oz | 7.5g

Color Perfect Oil Free Liquid Makeup

Color Perfect™ Oil-Free Liquid Make-Up

Formulated only for black women, this oil-free liquid foundation provides complete coverage with a natural, flawless finish. Perfect for normal to oily skin types. It’s available in 24 shades of brown.

1 fl oz. | 30ml

Black Radiance True Contour Palette

True Complexion Creme Contour Palette

If you aspire to the Kim-K chiseled cheekbones and contoured nose, this palette should be on your shopping list. The 3-in-1 combo boasts a contour, sculpter, and an illuminator. Being a cream-based product, it’s perfect for dry skin types. It comes in 3 palettes for light, dark and deep skin tones.

0.38 oz | 10.8g

Pour It On!™ Botanical Beauty Oil

Pour It On™ Botanical Beauty Oil

This 100% jojoba oil locks in moisture, making it ideal for dry skin types. Jojoba oil is also a great anti-stress solution for the skin. Customers report that it made their skin feel ‘hydrated’ and ‘soft’.

1 fl oz. | 30ml

Black Radiance Clean It Up Foam Cleanser

Clean It Up™ Water To Foam Cleanser

Expect thorough cleansing that won’t leave your face feeling stripped. That’s because not only is this vegan cleanser water-based, it also contains cucumber which hydrates and castor oil which prevents water loss. It’s great for oily or dehydrated skin types.

1 fl oz. | 30ml

Where can you buy Black Radiance products?

You can buy Black Radiance products from local beauty stores in the U.S. Otherwise, you can add to cart on their website (they ship worldwide), or at any of these retailers:

5 reasons to consider using Black Radiance

  • Black Radiance carries a line of beauty products designed specifically for black women. So, if that’s you, this brand is for you! It offers a wide variety of lip glosses, eyeshadows, mascaras and other makeup items for those who want to look their best and make a statement with their cosmetics.
  • Their products cater to different melanin skin types, from oily or sensitive to dry or combination. Also, their shades blend perfectly with different hues of melanin, especially darker tones.
  • Black Radiance produces a diverse range of luxurious formulations at affordable prices. You could literally get all the makeup items you need for a full face for under $100. You can even throw in some skincare too.
  • Outside of beauty, Black Radiance continues to advocate for the black community. They seek to instil confidence and spark conversations that are important to us.
  • Their products are cruelty-free and their formulas suit sensitive skin types. You’ll stay radiant no matter the weather.

Wrapping it up

Though Black Radiance is not black-owned, they are committed to serving the black community. Not only do they offer products tailored to black women, but they also collaborate with the black community regularly to promote awareness, foster trust, and advocate for diversity. 

Black radiance isn’t just selling beauty products; they are positively impacting the beauty industry and the world.

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