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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and we thought you’d enjoy exploring these black-owned beauty brands while getting to know their owners. Don’t worry, fellas, we didn’t leave you out. Self-care is never gender-specific. So we curated this shortlist, including gift options for him & her. Happy shopping!

Pear Nova is an award-winning luxury nail lacquer brand founded by Rachel James in 2013. Rachel designed Pear Nova in Chicago and ensures the brand is cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and non-toxic (10 free) — in addition to being PETA-certified. The owner has recently curated an exclusive Holiday Essentials kit for Oprah’s Favorite Things 2020 List and collaborated with TNT’s CLAWS for an exclusive collection. You can find pear Nova’s 35 classic and gel lacquers, along with other nail care items, at www.pearnova.com.

Briana Williams founded LipLoveLine with a mission to celebrate beauty in all its forms. Briana struggled with obesity and low self-esteem as a child, and lip gloss was the only thing that made her feel beautiful. It was a fun and creative way for her to express herself without wearing a full face of makeup. With shades named “Glory,” “Rooted,” and “Power,” LipLoveLine “inspires fearless self-acceptance.” Lip gloss, lipsticks, and lip balms are available as singles or in trios at www.liploveline.com.

Mixtress Jamyla Bennu co-founded Oyin Handmade with her husband in 2001 after discovering that many of the products she was using contained damaging additives. She began experimenting with formulations and testing them because she was determined to find a better way to care for her hair and skin, and her passion grew into a business. As a result, each Oyin Handmade product is cruelty-free, non-toxic, eco-friendly, and handcrafted using only the “finest food-grade ingredients.” Oyin Handmade now offers a complete line of nourishing hair, skin, and body care products for women, men, and children, available at www.oyinhandmade.com and the company’s flagship boutique in Baltimore, MD.

Bevel is a hair, beard, and skin grooming brand designed explicitly for textured hair and melanin-rich skin. Tristan Walker founded the dermatologist-tested products in 2013, intending to revolutionize the standard of male self-care with the most trusted grooming solutions for “him.” This Black-owned brand saw a need for superior shaving solutions and has expanded into a full head-to-toe grooming line that includes skin, hair, body, and shave. Bevel can be purchased online at www.GetBevel.com.