In the world of television, an Emmy stands as one of the highest honors. In film, it’s the Oscar, and for theater, the Tony Awards. In writing, the Pulitzer Prize carries that prestige, while in life, the Nobel Peace Prize marks the pinnacle of recognition.
But when it comes to beauty and fragrance, one of the most coveted honors is the Allure magazine Readers’ Choice Awards. This distinction reflects the collective voice of the beauty community, as shoppers vote with both their wallets and their invaluable word-of-mouth, creating an influence that’s hard to measure.
The awards cover a variety of categories: hair, beauty creator, makeup, new brand, breakthroughs, splurge, body, steal, and clean beauty. While social media often buzzes with debate over some of the winners, I am deeply disappointed by the limited representation of BIPOC-owned brands. It’s a glaring oversight in an industry that thrives on diversity. So, here are some alternatives to consider that truly resonate with our community.
Related Links:
https://lasentinel.net/radiant-may-beauty-drops-from-black-owned-brands.html
Remember, we—as people of color—vote with our money. Where we put our money, our community will grow.
Here are a few of the 2024 Allure Magazine Readers’ Choice Award winners, along with alternatives from African, Afro-Latino, and African American brands.
SUNSCREEN
ALLURE: Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40. I don’t agree.
BETTER ALTERNATIVE: Black Girl Sunscreen — For melanin based skin this is better choice because they offer un protection products for every day use and should be incorporated into your everyday skincare routine and it fights against sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines. BGS protects your skin from sun rays without leaving behind a white cast and also doubles as a moisturizing lotion.
SKIN TOOL
ALLURE: Michael Todd Beauty Soniclear Sonic Cleansing System
BETTER ALTERNATIVE: The BUTTAH VIBE BRUSH is an effective facial cleansing brush because it gently exfoliates, eliminates dullness and dead skin cells and it’s water resistant, designed to be used in the shower.
MOISTURIZER
ALLURE: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
BETTER ALTERNATIVE: African American owned Sweet July Skin by Ayesha Curry offers a lightweight daily moisturizer that boosts hydration, strengthens moisture barrier and provides antioxidant protection. Featuring emollients like shea butter, meadow foam seed oil and castor oil lock in moisture and help to repair dry skin, along with niacinamide to nourish and protect skin.
EXFOLIANT
ALLURE: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
The Melanated Bar – Skincare for Women of Color — Sea Clay Facial + Rosehip Oil Curated to: exfoliate, improve skin texture, and reduce the appearance of acne scars. Combine the Sea facial and Rosehip Oil together for the ultimate skincare experience. They work together to buff away dead skin and restore the skin with key vitamins to produce healthy, glowing skin.
Shani Darden Skin Care Triple Acid Signature Peel — A two-step peel with a trio of acids to resurface and visibly brighten, plus a neutralizing mask to intensely clean pores—for visibly brighter, smoother skin with no downtime.
SERUM
ALLURE: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops
BETTER ALTERNATIVE: Topicals created by Olamide Olowe and Claudia Teng. The brand take root in their experience growing up with hyperpigmentation and post barbae folliculitis, a type of skin inflammation. What Fenty did for cosmetics, Olowe and Teng want Topicals to do for skincare.
ALLURE: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
BETTER ALTERNATIVE: https://aztecsecret.com/product-category/clay/: 54 Thrones byChristina Funke Tegbe launched her skincare brand in 2015, drawing inspiration from the rich beauty rituals of Africa. Partnering with skilled artisans who handcraft each product, the brand focuses on high-quality, African-grown ingredients. The result is a powerhouse line that redefines skincare, offering a luxurious experience rooted in tradition while transforming your daily routine.
EYE CREAM
ALLURE: Tula Skincare Glow + Get It Cooling & Brightening Eye Balm
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
Shani Darden Skincare Intensive Eye Renewal Cream with Firming Peptides
As an aesthetician to stars like Kelly Rowland and Jessica Alba, Shani Darden knows skincare. One of the best products under her brand is the Intensive Eye Renewal Cream with Firming Peptides and Face Sculpting Wand.
ACNE TREATMENT
ALLURE: Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Micropoint for Blemishes XL
BETTER ALTERNATIVE: Mary Louise Cosmetics Turmeric Facial Serum
Mary Louise Cosmetics, founded in 2017 by Akilah Releford, began with her first beauty creation in a dorm room at Howard University. Over the years, Releford refined her focus on crafting beauty products using healthy, natural ingredients. One standout is the Turmeric Face Serum, which helps reduce redness, soothe irritation, and leave skin feeling refreshed and revitalized.
Rosen Skincare Break-Out Spot Treatment for Large Bumps and Breakouts
Jamika Martin, founder of Rosen Skincare, launched her brand with a mission to tackle the frustrations many experience with acne and breakouts. Recognizing the need for accessible and effective solutions, Rosen Skincare offers products designed to prevent acne and repair hyperpigmentation, using clean, natural ingredients that promote clearer skin. Inspired by her personal struggles with acne, Jamika developed a line that not only addresses skin issues but also empowers those dealing with them, aiming to disrupt the traditional skincare industry with innovative, results-driven products.
LIP BALM
ALLURE: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
The Lip Bar — is cruelty-free and vegan products offer lip products that get the job done. Founded by Melissa Butler where she started in her kitchen (2012).
HOT TOOLS
ALLURE: Dyson Airwrap
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
Pattern created by actress Traci Ellis Ross (Daughter of icon Diana Ross) offer a curated selection of products that address the complicated hair patterns of people of color including the interchangeable curling iron, the Pattern Blowdryer and other products designed to help get the very best out of our textured hair.
ALLURE: Wet Brush Original Detangler
BETTER ALTERNATIVE: Pattern’s wide tooth comb designed to detangle and enhance volume with this comb is designed with wide-set prongs which smoothly navigates through wet hair and promotes natural volume and separation when fluffing out dry hair. Perfect for achieving your desired look with ease.
SHAMPOO
ALLURE: Allure’s awarded Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner.
I find this shocking, especially considering that Olaplex has been sued by 28 women who claim its products caused hair loss, blisters, and other serious conditions. The lawsuit alleges that, despite Olaplex’s claims of “repairing broken bonds and rejuvenating hair,” their shampoos, conditioners, and treatments contain harmful chemicals that left the women’s hair and scalps in even worse condition.
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-64662934 — https://community.sephora.com/t5/Best-Hair-Ever/Olaplex-and-Major-hair-loss/m-p/5933866
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
Girl+Hair is a collection of hair products designed to meet a diverse range of textures to cleanse and nourish, refresh and restore.
HAIR TREATMENT
ALLURE: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
Camille Rose — Janell Stephens founded Camille Rose Naturals in 2011 as a way to soothe her children’s eczema and dry hair woes. It only took three years for the hair care brand to take off and grow a legion of supporters. Their Algae Renew Deep Conditioner is one of their best sellers due to its vitamin-packed makeup that prevents strands from breaking, shedding, and thinning.
LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
ALLURE: Ouai Leave-In Conditioner
BETTER ALTERNATIVE: See Camille Rose above.
HAIR OIL
ALLURE: Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
BETTER ALTERNATIVE: Bomba Curls Dominican Forbidden Volumizer Oil
Bomba Curls was created by Lulu Cordero, an Afro-Dominicana who believed that curls should be celebrated so she shared her tightly kept Dominican beauty secrets used by generations of women to naturally boost growth and maintain fullness with the world.
DRY SHAMPOO
ALLURE: Batiste Original Dry Shampoo
BETTER ALTERNATIVE: It’s recommended that Black women look for dry shampoos specifically formulated for afro-textured or natural hair with brands like Cantu and Carol’s Daughter because these products are specifically designed for natural hair.
CURL DEFINER
ALLURE: Ouai Curl Crème
BETTER ALTERNATIVE: Flawless Curls by Gabrielle Union
The brand believes in celebrating us and their texture-specific products are infused with exotic hydrating ingredients at an affordable price point.
HAIR COLOR
ALLURE: Color Wow Root Cover Up
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
Do your research. Dyeing hair can be especially harmful for African, Afro-American, and Afro-Latino women due to the harsh chemicals in many hair dyes, which can cause dryness, breakage, and scalp irritation, especially with frequent use. Research also suggests a potential link between regular use of certain hair dyes and an increased risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer, in these groups. This may be due to the way these chemicals disrupt the endocrine system. The risk is further compounded because many African, Afro-American, and Afro-Latino women regularly use chemical treatments like relaxers, increasing their exposure to these harmful substances.
FOUNDATION
ALLURE: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Pat McGrath Labs — “Mother,” a.k.a. Pat McGrath, a self-made billionaire and veteran beauty visionary and delivers 10 out of 10!
BRONZER
ALLURE: Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
Created by Tisha Thompson, Founder and CEO created a brand for all skin tones, textures, and types. They are unapologetic and unwavering in their commitment to brining the best of clean beauty.
BLUSH
ALLURE: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
Ami Cole’s Lip and Cheek Multistick delivers a smooth, buildable wash of color that enhances both lips and cheeks. The product’s creamy texture allows for easy application and blending, making it a versatile addition to any makeup routine. Whether you want a subtle flush or a more intense pop of color, this multistick offers a natural, radiant finish that suits a variety of skin tones.
CONCEALER
ALLURE: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
Pat McGrath Labs’ Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Concealer offers instant correction, perfection, brightening, and blurring with its creamy, full-coverage formula. Infused with the Vita Serum Complex, this concealer boosts hydration by stimulating the natural production of hyaluronic acid and ceramides, helping to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Available in 36 sublime shades, it delivers flawless coverage while enhancing the skin’s natural radiance.
Blk/Opl’s TRUE COLOR® Flawless Perfecting Concealer is paraben-free, true to tone, and weightless.
HIGHLIGHTER
ALLURE: Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer
BETTER ALTERNATIVE: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna takes highlighters to the next level with its weightless, show-stopping formulas. The creamy powder highlighter delivers a buildable glow that lasts, allowing you to customize your radiance for any occasion. Whether you want a subtle shimmer or a bold shine, Fenty’s highlighters provide the perfect luminous finish.
LIP GLOSS
ALLURE: Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil
BETTER ALTERNATIVE: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna’s Treats Hydrating + Strengthening Lip Oil is an ultra-hydrating, non-sticky formula that glides on clear, delivering lasting moisture. This lip oil not only enhances your lips’ natural shine but also strengthens the moisture barrier, keeping lips soft and hydrated all day long.
MASCARA
ALLURE: Maybellne New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
Pat McGrath Labs’ FetishEYES™ Mascara
This formula is like a lash extensions in a tube buildable and defines and elongates each lash, delivering major lift and layering without clumps. The conditioning peptide- and panthenol-infused formula strengthens and defends against damage and fallout while imparting luxurious softness.
EYELINER
ALLURE: Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
The PAT McGRATH LABS PermaGel Eyeliner Pencil combines the precision of a gel with the convenience of a pencil, offering smooth and precise application. Enriched with soft silicone, this waterproof formula provides a long-lasting finish. Its rich pigmentation delivers intense color payoff in just one quick swipe, ensuring bold, defined eyes that stay flawless throughout the day.
LIPSTICK
ALLURE: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
The Lip Bar collection is powered by intentionally safe formulations, crafted to deliver supreme payoff, performance, and quality. Offering non-toxic beauty essentials for those who value clean, conscious beauty, The Lip Bar is committed to providing products that are both effective and safe. Non-toxic beauty, non-toxic people. Full stop.
EYE SHADOW
ALLURE: Urban Decay Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
Danessa Myricks Beauty Groundwork Palette 1 and 2 offer versatile, multi-use palettes featuring talc-free, velvety pomades and coordinating oil-absorbing shaping powders. These palettes effortlessly define eyes, brows, cheeks, and lips, providing smooth, blendable formulas that allow for endless creativity in your beauty routine.
FRAGRANCE
ALLURE: Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist
BETTER ALTERNATIVE:
BROWN GIRL Jane, founded by sisters Malaika and Nia Jones, is a fine fragrance brand that blends beauty and wellbeing in its award-winning collection. Designed to evoke distinct emotions and transform your state of mind, each scent tells a unique story, inspired by heritage, wanderlust, and the diverse experiences of modern women. The brand celebrates the power of fragrance to connect with deeper emotions and elevate everyday moments.
