According to a report from EWG.org, African Americans account for 22 percent of the $42 billion personal care market. However, the options for products and services specifically created for women and men of color have traditionally not reflected these numbers. Thankfully, we are seeing a slow shift toward recognition of the buying power of Black consumers, particularly in skincare (a 2017 survey revealed that Black shoppers spent $465 million in skincare alone that year). Though we have a long way to go, part of this movement toward better representation can be attributed to Black skincare pros who are gaining acclaim for their skills, their promotion of Black-owned brands, and their educational outreach to communities of color. Here are eight inspiring Black estheticians to follow on Instagram to learn more about treating skin of color.
Sean Garrette
@seangarrette
Based in New York City, Garrette is an esthetician, a global ambassador for Fenty Beauty, and a founder of his own skincare brand, Sean Garrette Skin. His highlight reels cover product recommendations and reviews, Black-owned brands, facial videos, and more.
Nayamka Roberts-Smith
@LAbeautyologist
Roberts-Smith is the owner of The Golden Rx Skin Studio in Los Angeles, but online, she’s nicknamed “The Internet’s Esthetician.” She’s known for developing “The 60 Second Rule” that went viral in January of 2019, where she encouraged skincare fans across the internet to cleanse their faces morning and evening for a full 60 seconds each time, none of that “one verse of Happy Birthday” rule for her.
JoElle Lee
@joellelee_estheticstraining
If she’s good enough for Michelle Obama, she’s good enough for me. Yes, Lee was the former personal esthetician for the former First Lady during her time in the White House. In addition to that claim to fame, Lee has also authored multiple books, one titled Multicultural Skin Treatments: Learn How to Effectively Treat Skin of Color Using Chemical Peels and Laser Treatments, which according to her website, has become a trusted guide for those treating diverse client populations.
Kendra Hall
@kendra_janelle
Hall is the founder and owner of Kendra J Advanced Aesthetics in Atlanta. She’s a licensed professional medical esthetician and cosmetic laser practitioner, a business management graduate from Morris Brown College, and an alumna of the International School Of Skin & Nail Care where she earned various certifications in advanced resurfacing esthetics. She’s proud to be changing lives, one face at a time.
Bridgette Black
@blackestheticsandartistry
With a mission of cultivating (BEA)uty for every skin tone at any age, Black is the owner of Black Esthetics and Artistry, or “BEA,” based in Denver. The acronym has dual meaning for Black—not only is it the initials of her brand but it’s also representative of her brand’s mascot, the bee. Black says she chose the bee to represent BEA for its positive symbolism, representing royalty, good economy, healthy environments, discipline, wisdom, strength, perseverance, and unity in different cultures across the globe—an experience she hopes to provide clients through her practice.
Lakeisha Dale
@keeshology
Known on Instagram as “the skin architect,” Dale is a licensed esthetician and the owner of New York’s Melaskin Studio, a private facial studio specializing in skin wellness for Black women, men, and other people of color. The studio is Dale’s dedication to continuously being the change she wants to see in an industry that lacks representation for Black communities and communities of color.
Natasha Welch, DNP
@TheDrNatasha
Prior to entering the medical esthetics and permanent makeup industries, Welch spent 19 years as a nurse practitioner with specialties in adult cardiology and emergency medicine. Today, she’s the brains behind Abraza Skincare (abraza means “hug” in Spanish) and is the owner of Abraza Skin Studio, a medical spa clinic in Atlanta. A bonus: she shares cute dog content on her pup’s Instagram, @FoxyThePoochon.
Essence Moore
@TheeSkinBoss
Essence Moore is one half of the mother-daughter duo that owns and operates Lineage Skin + Hair Studio up in Harlem, New York City. Lineage is a Black- and women-owned business with an aim at providing affordable, accessible self-care services to members of the community. Moore serves as the location’s licensed esthetician, while her mom is the studio’s licensed cosmetologist. The team has a passion for educating clients on how to escalate their self-care journeys to the next level.
This article was originally posted in 2020 and has been updated. All information is accurate as of time of publishing.
