22 Women-Owned Beauty Brands That We Love To Love


Women's History Month may be coming to a close, but here at Refinery29, we celebrate women 365 days a year. One of the best ways you, too, can do that is by supporting women-founded brands whenever possible — and luckily, the beauty industry is not lacking in terms of female founders who embody what it means to be innovators, visionaries, and generally inspiring in every way.

With the beauty industry projected at a cool $27.1 billion, according to market research firm The NPD Group, it's no secret that women are largely fueling the industry's appetite for beauty products. (Although, friendly reminder that gender is a construct and anyone can and should enjoy concealer and perfume.) However, with female entrepreneurs receiving less than 3% of venture capital, we still have a long way to go — and not just in the beauty space.

These 22 brands are by no means an exhaustive list of our favorite female founders, so watch this space as we update this post as new, amazing brands inevitably make our radar. In the meantime, peruse a small sampling of brands we love in the slides to come.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

For more can't-miss shopping stories delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our Most Wanted newsletter.

Tower 28



Amy Liu's Tower 28 brings the easy, beachy vibe of Southern California to your makeup drawer, thanks to tubes of tinted SPF, alternative milk-inspired glosses (an unlikely-yet-perfect source beauty inspo), lengthening mascara, and much more.

Tower 28 ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly, $, available at Tower 28 Beauty

Tatcha



Founder Vicky Tsai has reimagined centuries of traditional Japanese beauty rituals with Tatcha, where products like The Rice Wash and Dewy Skin Cream are creating a zen moment of pause in our otherwise chaotic lives.

Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser, $, available at Sephora

Danessa Myricks Beauty



Veteran makeup artist Danessa Myricks has always been somewhat of an industry legend, but we're not gatekeeping any longer; her intensely pigmented cream colors, palettes, and more are mainstays on set and backstage at shows, but will also instantly level up your own glam right at home.

Danessa Myricks Beauty Colorfix Eye, Cheek & Lip Cream Pigment, $, available at Sephora

Kosas



Sheena Yaitanes didn't mean to create the coolest beauty brand of the moment, but alas, here we are. From celeb-approved skin tints to the clean mascara that creates the fluffiest, fullest lashes imaginable, the brand has made clean beauty crazy, sexy, and very cool.

Kosas The Big Clean Longwear Volumizing + Lash Care Mascara, $, available at Sephora

Crown Affair



Founder Dianna Cohen's love of all things hair care (as well as The Thomas Crown Affair, which heavily inspired the brand's name) is abundantly clear with Crown Affair, the chic, clean hair brand that is inspiring people to feel empowered (not discouraged) by their hair.

Crown Affair The Ritual Shampoo, $, available at Sephora

Charlotte Tilbury



Charlotte Tilbury is a makeup artist to the stars, and for good reason: From the how-did-she-do-that Pillow Talk lipstick that is still a go-to nude to the oft-imitated, never-replicated Hollywood Flawless Filter, Tilbury's products add a touch of red carpet glamour to your own life. (Fun fact: That's why each product is emblazoned with a teeny-tiny star hidden somewhere on the packaging.)

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder, $, available at Sephora

Westman Atelier



Speaking of iconic makeup artists, Gucci Westman is the tour de force behind Westman Atelier, a clean beauty brand that brings Westman's signature glowy, never-covered-up makeup POV to your own vanity.

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick, $, available at Violet Grey

Ouai



Celebrity stylist Jen Atkin's brand Ouai started with an iconic, salt-free Wave Spray and has since expanded to include fragrance, hair treatments, and even pet shampoo — all with a signature elevated Ouai touch.

Ouai Treatment Mask for Fine and Medium Hair, $, available at Sephora

Innbeauty Project



Alisa Metzger and Jen Shane are both beauty industry veterans (Metzger, a savvy brand marketer and Shane, a star product developer) and knew they were onto something special with Innbeauty Project. Fueled by the pair's passion for making clean beauty accessible to all, the brand resonated with Gen Z consumers in a way that hadn't been seen before — and now has legacy brands playing catch up.

INNBEAUTY PROJECT Glaze Lip Oil, $, available at Sephora

Olive & June



While we miss the days when Olive & June had brick-and-mortar nail salons scattered across Los Angeles, it's hard not to cheer them on when the brand's assortment of better-than-gel press-ons, long-lasting polishes, nail tools, care products, and more have made at-home manicures the best part of your self-care routine.

Olive & June Spring Polish Set, $, available at Olive & June

Glow Recipe



Founders Christine Chang and Sarah Lee created Glow Recipe in 2014 as an online hub for a then-nascent K-beauty skin-care market in the U.S. Fast-forward nearly a decade later, and the brand has since pivoted to a fully built-out product assortment fueled by powerhouse fruits including watermelon, avocado, papaya, and plum, among other mouth-watering hero ingredients.

Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Refillable Moisturizer, $, available at Sephora

Ceremonia



Founder Babba Rivera previously worked behind the scenes at startups like Away and Uber before pouring her heart and soul into Ceremonia, a clean hair care brand inspired by her Latinx heritage. Featuring everything from styling products to treatments (and gorgeous packaging to boot), it's one of our favorite brands right now, and hopefully one of yours too.

Ceremonia Guava Beach Waves Hair Texturizing Spray, $, available at Sephora

Nudestix



If you don't have time nor patience for makeup brushes (*raises hand*), then you probably already have Nudestix in your bag. The brand went all in on blendable sticks for eyes, lips, lids, and cheeks — and so far, it hasn't steered them astray. Founded by sisters Taylor and Ally Frankel, along with mom, Jenny (a co-founder of Cover FX and former MAC product developer), it's a true family affair — and one that we're just happy to tag along to.

NudeStix NUDIES MATTE All Over Face Color, $, available at Ulta

Jones Road Beauty



Legendary makeup artist Bobbi Brown's Jones Road is, as they say, the moment. From multiuse tinted balms to minty lip glosses, the brand is making makeup fun again with sheer, dewy textures and easy-to-use formulas that look good on everyone.

Jones Road Beauty Miracle Balm, $, available at Jones Road Beauty

Supergoop!



After learning of a friend's skin cancer diagnosis, Supergoop! founder Holly Thaggard sought to make sun safety a daily part of people's lives with fun, effective SPF formulas that people would genuinely want to use every day. Mission definitely accomplished.

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Body SPF 40, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Ellis Brooklyn



Longtime beauty journalist and Ellis Brooklyn founder Bee Shapiro knows her stuff when it comes to the industry — and distilled a lifetime of knowledge into her fragrance brand, which features an ever-growing assortment of deeply personal, unique scents that are modern classics in the making. (My favorite is Après, which takes me back to cozy ski lodges and snow-capped trees.)

Ellis Brooklyn Mini CHAPTERS Perfume Coffret Set, $, available at Sephora

Fenty Beauty



Rihanna had already blessed us with a lifetime of bops before launching Fenty Beauty (followed by Fenty Skin in 2020), and our queen didn't hold back with how good her products were. Featuring bold, Super Bowl-proof payoff and performance, every Fenty product is Rihanna-approved, so you know it's legit.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Mattifying Primer, $, available at Fenty Beauty

Eadem



Founders Alice Lin Glover and Marie Kouadio Amouzame made the jump from successful jobs at Google to found a skin-care brand specifically geared for skin of color — that brand, Eadem, has since been picked up by Sephora and has skyrocketed to fame thanks to its effective products and intentional approach to true inclusivity. We love to see it!

Eadem Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum with Niacinamide and Vitamin C, $, available at Sephora

Chillhouse



Chillhouse started as the ultimate IYKYK beauty and wellness destination in NYC but has since expanded globally and launched a product line that's caught the attention of Urban Outfitters, Revolve, and Free People, among other notable retailers. Chill Tips, the brand's bestselling press-on nails, feature popular designs inspired by the studio's nail art menu — you know, for when you can't get an appointment IRL.

Chillhouse Chill Tips Press-On Manicure Kit, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Half Magic



Even if you've never heard of Donni Davy, you've definitely seen (and been subsequently obsessed with) her work. The Euphoria lead makeup artist has brought her one-of-a-kind POV to Half Magic, an utterly creative makeup line that has everything from stick-on face gems and pearls to pigmented eyeshadows and blush to make any face a canvas of art.

Half Magic Beauty FACE PEARLS, $, available at Half Magic Beauty

Ami Colé



With its luxurious formulas and truly inclusive shade ranges, Ami Colé has emerged as one of the most exciting beauty brands of the moment — and rightfully so. (The Lip Treatment Oil pictured here is what other lip oils aspire to be.)

Ami Colé Lip Treatment Oil, $, available at Sephora

Dedcool



Founder Carina Chaz has taken the fragrance world by storm with Dedcool, the indie scent brand that's reimagining colognes, laundry detergent, and more with an effortlessly cool spin.

DedCool XTRA MILK Fragrance, $, available at Credo

Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?