Discover the Vibrant World of African Beauty Brands

Words by: Victoria Taylor

African beauty products are renowned for their natural ingredients and unique formulations that are designed to nourish and enhance natural beauty. They draw inspiration from the abundant resources of the continent and centuries of traditional beauty practices, resulting in a range of one-of-a-kind products that celebrate and promote African beauty.

Here are three exceptional brands that are sure to capture your interest:

Emolyn Cosmetics

Emolyne Cosmetics is a brand created by Emolyne Ramlov, a Ugandan native raised in Denmark and based in London. The brand is fuelled by a passion for performance and draws inspiration from the vibrant colours of Africa. Each shade has been carefully curated to suit every skin tone, filling the void of diversity in the beauty industry.

With a wide range of shades, from classic bold reds to editorial nudes, Emolyne provides a versatile selection that allows everyone to find their perfect signature shade. The high-quality and long-lasting formulas are available in buttery lipsticks, resilient nail polishes, defining lip liners, and high-shine glosses.

Emolyne’s approach to makeup is all about self-discovery and playful experimentation, as founder Emolyne Ramlov explains: “Makeup has never been a one-size-fits-all category… discovering that perfect signature shade in a playful way, and making it your own.”

The brand pays homage to its African roots by naming each shade after an African country or city. From the bold poppy-red Zanzibar to the sultry Eritrea, each shade evokes a sense of confidence and self-expression.

Emolyne’s products are timeless and classic, designed to complement any style or occasion. With their phenomenally pigmented and long-lasting formulas, Emolyne Cosmetics encourages everyone to embrace their unique beauty with ease and confidence.

Aviela Skincare

Aviela is the brainchild of Patricia Manney, a Ghanaian native whose passion for natural skincare products was ignited during a family holiday to Ghana. As a computer science graduate raising her daughter in the UK, Patricia began researching the skincare benefits of Shea Butter, a natural anti-inflammatory product that helped her daughter, who was two-years-old at the time, walk again following a swollen ankle.

Fueled by a desire to create an all-natural skincare range, she founded Aviela, using only the purest, highest grade, unrefined Shea Butter to heal dry skin naturally. But Patricia’s journey was not without its challenges. Overcoming hurdles such as hard or greasy textures and unpleasant odours, Patricia’s determination led her to discover a unique method of whipping the Shea Butter to maintain its healing properties, ultimately developing a soft, beautifully-scented range of body butters.

Today, Aviela offers a range of skincare products, including body, face, and hair care, all made with raw ingredients to transform skin while supporting the communities that produce them. Patricia’s vision for Aviela is to continue developing the range with other hero ingredients, keeping the transformative power of natural skincare at the forefront while changing the lives of the women who craft these ingredients.

Aviela Skincare | Available at: www.avielaskincare.com

Ekó Botanicals

Ekó Botanicals is a unique skincare line that combines the nourishing power of heritage African and British botanical rituals with modern natural skin science.

Created by former city executive turned natural skincare expert Apinke Efiong, this sustainable skincare range is specially designed for maturing and melanin rich skin. The collection consists of three multitasking products that work synergistically to cleanse, nourish, and revitalise the skin, preventing premature ageing and addressing a range of skin concerns.

Each product is named after a great African warrior Queen, reflecting their deeply nourishing and respectful approach to the planet. The formulas are made using a wide spectrum of sustainably sourced organic ingredients, such as papaya, tamanu, moringa, and kalahari melon, and wild-harvested plant oils and botanical extracts.

All ingredients are carefully selected for optimal therapeutic efficacy, free from any chemical-based substances, and are packaged in fully recyclable and biodegradable materials. Ekó Botanicals use violet glass bottles to preserve the potency of the ingredients, following the tradition of Ancient Egyptians who stored valuable essential oils and natural healing remedies in gold or violet vessels.