black beauty matters

Welcome to Black Beauty Matters

Photo-Illustration: by the Cut; Photos Getty Images

Every day, but especially this month, the Cut is taking up space to celebrate Black beauty. Black beauty is a topic that is very near to my heart as a Black woman. So much of what you see in magazines, in beauty-product advertisements, and in commercials is from the lens of European beauty standards. It never feels like being Black is good enough or pretty enough, yet our features are exalted when not attached to a Black body.

Only in the past couple of years could you walk into a beauty store and find an in-between shade of foundation or a plethora of products for different hair textures. But even so, at fashion shows, countless models have had to deal with doing their own hair and makeup, and brands still take the shortcut of using Black models as the faces of products, but only if they have a perfectly loose curl texture and light skin. It’s like Hanna Allison once said: “Black women will always be too loud for a world that never intended on listening to them.”

But as a Black woman leading this publication, I am so proud that we get to use this platform to listen to Black women — women just like you — and have conversations that are too often pushed under the rug. This partnership with Sephora brings me so much joy, and I hope it does the same for you in experiencing a month of Black-beauty content that will spotlight some of the biggest and brightest voices of our generation.

I’m particularly excited for an editorial that centers Black women in the world of nail art; an essay on Black perfumers changing the industry; interviews with perfumer Chris Collins, inclusive-beauty-brand owner Danessa Myricks, and Carol’s Daughter’s Lisa Price; and incredibly comprehensive roundups of the best sunscreens, nude lipsticks, and tinted moisturizers for Black skin.

We as Black women deserve to take up space, no apologies, and that’s exactly what this month is about. So I hope you feel loved, celebrated, and as phenomenal as you are, and that you call the Cut home, as this is not just a month of content to us but a holistic part of inclusivity I so deeply care about.

Below, find all of our Black Beauty Matters stories.

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Black Beauty

Nail Art Is More Than a Style Statement — It’s Black history and culture.

In Her Shoes: Sanaa Lathan

Let’s Be Real: Black Women Made Acrylic Nails Cool

The Face Behind @BrownGirlHands

Dr. Chaneve Jeanniton’s Success Is Measured in Millimeters

Checking In On Pull Up for Change

5 Black Perfumers Changing the Scent Industry

The Los Angeles Woman Bringing Beauty to the Homeless

16 Nude Lipsticks Made Just for Black Women

The Most Impressive Beauty Looks From the Olympics

Must-Have Beauty Products From Must-Know Black-Owned Beauty Brands

We Can Thank Black People For These 3 Beauty Phenomena

The Highs and Lows of the Beauty Industry, According to Leiomy Maldonado and Junior Mintt

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Scent Memories

Jackie Aina Loves the Scent of Oud and Having Secret Perfumes

The Hair Care Founder Who Bottled the Smell of Cereal Milk

The Natural-Hair-Care Pioneer Turned Perfumer

The Model Turned Perfumer Who Smells Like Hustle

The Skin-Care Founder Who Loves the Smell of Cilantro

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Wellness Theories

Alvin Ailey Dancer Khalia Campbell Talks Faith, Skin Care, Self-Discovery

Nikki Ogunnaike Wants You to Unfollow Anyone Who Doesn’t Bring You Joy

Intisar Abdul-Kader Believes ‘You Can’t Be What You Can’t See’

Sharifa Murdock Swears by Audiobooks and Her Mini-Trampoline

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Why’s Your Skin So Good

How This Chef and TV Host Gets Her Skin So Good

How This Beauty Curator Gets Her Skin So Good

How This Chicago-Based Dermatologist Gets Her Skin So Good

How This Social-Media Strategist Turned Founder Gets Her Skin So Good

How This Screenwriter and Podcast Host Gets Her Skin So Good

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Auto-Refill

The 11 Products Cosmopolitan’s Beauty Director Uses to the Last Drop

The Beauty Products an Editorial Director Uses to the Last Drop

The 11 Beauty Products a Hair-Care Founder Uses to the Last Drop

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A Beautiful Life

Danessa Myricks Wants to Show You That You Can Do It Too

Carol’s Daughter Founder Lisa Price Is Unapologetic About Building Wealth

The Beauty-Industry Exec Making Products for Melanated Skin

The Instagram Exec Amplifying Black Beauty Creators

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Skin Deep

13 Sunscreens That Work for Darker Skin Tones

How to Build a Skin-Care Routine With Black-Owned Products

The Best Hyperpigmentation Products for Black Women

Hanahana Beauty’s First Skincare Product Is Finally Here

3 Black Women on Their Decision to Get Botox

If This Doesn’t Make You Want to Shower, Nothing Will

How to Treat Keloids on Black Skin

How to Create Foundation for Black Skin — According to Cosmetic Chemists

How to Find a Tattoo Artist Who Celebrates Melanated Skin

The Best Tinted Moisturizers Every Black Woman Should Try

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Hair

The Black Person’s Guide to Laser Hair Removal

When Booking a Hair Appointment Through Instagram Goes Wrong

The Absolute Best Edge-Control Products for Baby Hairs

28 Very Good Ways to Style Your Baby Hairs Right Now

The Beautiful Language of Braids

Welcome to Black Beauty Matters