13 Women-Run Beauty Brands You Need To Know About

These brands are definitely worth getting behind.
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In honor of Women’s History Month, we want to show a little love to some women in the beauty industry who are killing it with their unique approaches to beauty. 

There’s Kjaer Weis, a new favorite of ours that emphasizes sustainability with its makeup casing refill system and its use of natural, organic ingredients. Then there’s cult-favorite Glossier, which has grown into an “it” brand for the social media generation in under five years. And, of course, there’s Fenty Beauty, Rihanna’s beauty line that promotes individuality, diversity and inclusivity. 

And there are plenty more where those came from. Below, check out our list of 13 women-run beauty brands to support this ― and every ― month. 

1
Beauty Bakerie
Beauty Bakerie
Beauty Bakerie, founded by Cashmere Nicole, is known for its smudge-proof, wear-all-day Lip Whips that absolutely do not budge. The brand also offers eye shadow palettes, highlighters, setting powders and more.
2
Glossier
Glossier
Since 2014, Glossier has become a go-to brand for the skin care and beauty obsessives out there. Founded by Emily Weiss, Glossier is known for its "skin first, makeup second" ethos and its approachable, affordable product offerings. Some of our favorites include Milky Jelly Cleanser, Balm Dotcom skin salve and Cloud Paint cheek color.
3
Skylar Body
Skylar Body
Skylar Body, founded and run by Cat Chen, is a "for women, by women" brand offering direct-to-consumer fragrances that are free of artificial dyes, parabens, phthalates and other harmful chemicals. Plus, the fragrances are cruelty-free, vegan and affordable.
4
Drunk Elephant
Drunk Elephant
Since being founded in 2014 by Tiffany Masterson, Drunk Elephant has gained cult status in the beauty industry. The product offerings are a little on the pricier side, but the brand has a focus on clean ingredients that are suitable for all skin types. Right now, we're loving the T.L.C. Sakuri Babyfacial.
5
Nudestix
Nudestix
Nudestix, founded by sisters Ally and Taylor Frankel and their mom Jenny, offers a line of "makeup crayons" meant to highlight -- rather than totally cover up -- your natural beauty. Standout products include the concealer pencils, which go on so smoothly and are super creamy, and the Nudies All Over Face Color Glow, which adds a touch of dewy brightness to the skin.
6
Girl Undiscovered
Girl Undiscovered
Founded by friends Philippa Gebbie and Charlotte Devereux, Girl Undiscovered is committed to using naturally foraged ingredients that are sustainably and ethically grown and sourced from small communities around the world. Their products, like the Stumbled Across Paradise face mask, are made in New Zealand.
7
Wonder Curl
Wonder Curl
Wonder Curl is a hair care line created specifically for those with curly hair. It offers gels -- like the Get Set Hair Jelly, a top seller -- hair lotions and pomades that are meant to define curls and and leave hair looking great all day. The brand's founder, Scarlett Rocourt, has been been dubbed "the natural hair world's wonder woman," so you know she's doing something right.
8
LOLI Beauty
LOLI Beauty
Tina Hedges started LOLI Beauty, which stands for Living Organic Loving Ingredients, with a mission to make a conscious change within the beauty industry. LOLI Beauty products are "never diluted or polluted, always food-grade, fair-trade, organic and ethical." Everything down to the packaging was chosen with sustainability in mind; the food-grade jars can be reused once products are finished, and the labels, bags and boxes are compostable.
9
Kjaer Weis
Kjaer Weis
Kjaer Weis is the brainchild of Danish makeup artist Kirsten Kjaer Weis, who has worked with Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire. The brand uses organic ingredients in its formulations and puts an emphasis on reducing waste with its refill system. One of our favorite products is the translucent pressed powder, which controls shine, doesn't feel cake-y and leaves skin looking smooth.
10
Iredale Mineral Cosmetics
Iredale Mineral Cosmetics
Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, founded by Jane Iredale, promotes a holistic approach to beauty. The brand offers supplements, skin care products and makeup made with natural and organic ingredients to help nourish the skin from the inside out.
11
Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty
We couldn't compile a list of women-run beauty companies without listing Fenty Beauty, led by none other than Rihanna. Since its inception, Fenty has gained plenty of praise for both its inclusive attitude toward beauty and its products. Our favorites include the Stunna lip paint and the Match Stix makeup sticks.
12
It's A 10 Haircare
Its A 10
It's a 10, founded by Carolyn Aronson, aims to make hair care simple with products that are "designed to deliver a combination of 10 benefits" in one bottle. The brand's Miracle Leave-In product, a nourishing spray that eliminates frizz and restores shine, among other things, has become a cult favorite.
13
India Hicks Unexpected Beauty
India Hicks
Former model India Hicks worked with beauty industry veteran Catherine Walsh to create Unexpected Beauty, a line of natural and organic beauty products containing "no nasties."

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Before You Go

Beauty For A Good Cause
Tarte Beauty(01 of08)
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Tarte's "eco-chic" makeup is cruelty-free and made with naturally derived ingredients. The brand, founded by Maureen Kelly, also aims to make sustainability a focus of its business model. According to Tarte's website, the company ensures its ingredients are sustainably harvested and supports the communities where its ingredients are sourced.

Shop Tarte here.
(credit:Tarte Beauty)
Maya Chia(02 of08)
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Maya Chia was founded by Susanne Norwitz with the goal of creating high-quality skin care that gives back. The products are made in the U.S. using natural, organic ingredients from conscious growers all over the world. Beyond that, Maya Chia donates a portion of its net profits to charities that help build schools and farms for the Maya people of Central and South America.

Shop Maya Chia here.
(credit:Maya Chia)
Kjaer Weis(03 of08)
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Kjaer Weis, founded by Danish-born makeup artist Kirsten Kjaer Weis, considers sustainability a huge pillar of its brand philosophy. Thanks to the brand's refill system, you don't need to waste money on packaging you'd otherwise throw out. Kjaer Weis also uses ingredients that are Certified Natural or Certified Organic.

Shop Kjaer Weis here.
(credit:Kjaer Weis)
True Botanicals(04 of08)
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True Botanicals' entire line of products is Made Safe certified, which means there are no ingredients known or suspected to harm humans. The brand, founded by Hillary Peterson, is on a mission to create skincare products that work but don't harm our health or the environment. True Botanicals products are also cruelty-free and non-GMO.

Shop True Botanicals here.
(credit:True Botanicals)
Plain Jane Beauty(05 of08)
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Plain Jane Beauty offers a huge selection of natural and organic cosmetics, including a foundation available in 17 different shades. Talk about inclusivity. Aside from that, the brand prides itself on its sustainable practices. For instance, PJB says it uses fair-trade coffee, cocoa butter and shea butter as well as certified organic ingredients when possible. The company also reuses its shipping materials, prints on recycled paper and uses vegetable-based inks.

Shop Plain Jane Beauty here.
(credit:Plain Jane Beauty)
Prestidge Beaute(06 of08)
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Prestidge Beaute is the brainchild of makeup artist Shawnelle Prestidge, who uses organic ingredients sourced from conscious growers all over the world and makes products in small batches at her home in Brooklyn, New York.

Shop Prestidge Beaute here.
(credit:Prestidge Beautee)
Cosmos(07 of08)
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Cosmos products are created with 100 percent plant-based ingredients, which the company says are completely safe for your body and the planet. The brand also uses reusable, compostable and recyclable containers to cut down on waste, and it doesn't test its products on animals.

Shop Cosmos here.
(credit:Cosmos)
Tata Harper(08 of08)
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Tata Harper's products are handmade in Vermont but contain ingredients sourced from all over the globe; they're natural and nontoxic. Additionally, the majority of the brand's packaging is made of reusable glass, and its plastic is derived from corn instead of petroleum. In terms of packaging, Tata Harper also says it uses 100 percent post-consumer materials and soy-based ink.

Shop Tata Harper here.
(credit:Tata Harper)

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