After breast cancer treatment left Cynthia Besteman searching for safer beauty products, she founded Violets Are Blue in 2015 to make naturally derived skincare for the face and body. The company pairs its botanical formulations with a direct support mission: 10% of product purchases fund Beloved gift packages for women beginning chemotherapy at Mount Sinai’s Dubin Breast Center in New York City. Its work has earned Best In Show from the Indie Beauty Expo and recognition from the Beauty Shortlist.
Best In Show, Indie Beauty Expo
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Best Brand With a Mission, Sophie Uliano's Gorgeously Green Beauty Awards
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Best Of, The Beauty Shortlist
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Zandra BeautyZandra Beauty grew from Zandra Cunningham’s kitchen-table lip-balm project into a Western New York maker of plant-based skincare, including its signature Big Balm and hair-and-body soufflés. Founded from Cunningham’s determination at age nine, the GMP-compliant company pairs gentle, cruelty-free formulations with a social mission: educating and empowering girls and women through entrepreneurship, STEAM programs and donations supporting girls’ education.BUFFALO, NY
Badgerface Beauty SupplyFounded by Kristina Strain in 2014, Badgerface Beauty Supply makes small-batch, handmade bath, body, and natural skincare products with an unapologetically irreverent voice. The woman-owned company pairs practical self-care with low-waste packaging and a “you don’t need fixing” philosophy, while donating 15% of one week’s profits each month to women’s-rights organizations.GILBERTSVILLE, NY
J'enessenceJ’enessence is a women-owned American skincare company making small-batch, plant-powered body care and facial treatments under the guidance of a licensed esthetician. Its formulas are handmade on demand without synthetic fragrances, dyes or animal testing, with natural essential oils shaping the products’ therapeutic feel. The business grew from its founder’s experience overcoming homelessness and hardship, and she supports Dress for Success while building work intended to give back.NEW YORK, NY
Sabbatical BeautyBorn from founder Adeline Koh’s 2015 kitchen experiments during an academic sabbatical, Sabbatical Beauty makes small-batch, high-concentration skincare in Philadelphia. Its Korean-inspired formulas center on meaningful levels of botanicals, layered hydration, and skin-barrier repair rather than token “active” ingredients. The company also matches donations to its Pay It Forward Fund dollar for dollar, extending its skincare community to people facing financial insecurity.PHILADELPHIA, PA