Founded by Camille Bell and Johnny Velazquez, Pound Cake makes custom color cosmetics designed to show up across different skin and lip tones. Its signature Cake Theory lip oils and Cake Batter lipstick grew from Bell’s own experience with shades looking different—or disappearing—on her lips, while the company rejects one-size-fits-all beauty formulas in favor of personalized color theory.
Leaping Bunny Certified
Cruelty-Free
Compliance program
Clean
Compliance program
Paraben-Free
Compliance program
Finding FerdinandFounded by Nhu, Finding Ferdinand makes vegan color cosmetics designed to enhance rather than hide natural features, with a particular focus on customizable lip color and its bestselling Black Lip Balm. Nhu says she has spent the past 10 years working with scientists on clean formulas, while the company produces in small batches and uses on-demand production to reduce waste. Its proprietary formulations exclude more than 2,700 banned ingredients, and its products are made without animal-derived ingredients or animal testing.New York, NY
Omolewa CosmeticsBorn from a makeup artist’s frustration with shades that overlooked deeper complexions, Omolewa Cosmetics makes high-performance makeup for women of color, including a 31-shade foundation range. Its U.S.-made formulas were tested in Ghana’s heat and humidity and are built for lightweight, smudge-proof wear that lasts through real life. The brand also extends its mission through makeup education, women’s events, and its Without Fail storytelling project.FREDERICK, MD
Prose Beauty IncBuilt around the idea that beauty should be personal, Prose Beauty is a made-to-order beauty company creating individualized formulas for customers’ hair and skin. Its products are freshly bottled in Brooklyn or Los Angeles, while in-house cosmetic chemists support the company’s research-driven approach. Prose is a Certified B Corporation and Climate Neutral Certified company.BROOKLYN, NY
Atomic MakeupFounded in 2015, Atomic Makeup is a California-made indie cosmetics brand creating small-batch, rock ’n’ roll-inspired lipsticks for bold everyday self-expression. The Latina-owned and operated company makes its vegan, cruelty-free formulas by hand in California and gives a portion of proceeds to local Southern California charities.BROOKLYN, NY