by Evette Brown

These Black women are controlling the board rooms at these cosmetics brands targeted towards other black women.

Walking through the cosmetics department in WalMart and other retail chains, most African-American women will notice that quality products designed for them are few and far between.  Outside of MAC, Queen Collection, and Fashion Fair, there are a select number of cosmetics lines created for black women that we are aware of and indulge in purchasing.  It might be due to lack of promotion, proper marketing, or funding, but cosmetic lines that have dedicated themselves to servicing black women are difficult to uncover; but, they do exist.  Some are retailed nationally while others are strictly available online.  Nonetheless, these six cosmetic lines for African-American women are continuing to build their niche in the billion-dollar industry.

IMAN

Supermodel Iman has evolved into a cosmetics mogul with her line, IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare, and Fragrance.  Regarded as the first cosmetics line designed for all women with skin color, IMAN was created in 1994 after the model grew tired of having to mix foundations together to create the perfect shade.  After a landmark alliance with Proctor & Gamble in 2004, IMAN is now on the shelves of mass retailers including WalMart, Target, Walgreens, and Duane Reade.  Her line is considered one of the best available for African-American women.  Iman is using her line to prove that you don’t have to walk the runways to be a supermodel. You can transform into one every day with just a smudge of eyeliner and a swipe of concealer.