Beauty trends we owe to Black women

With trends coming and going in the blink of an eye, it’s easy to become consumed in the here and now. It’s important to take a step back to appreciate the cultural and historical significance behind these trends.

Black women have long been pioneers in the beauty industry, introducing trends that have captivated global audiences and redefined standards of beauty. Their creativity and innovation have left an undeniable mark on the world of beauty, shaping trends that resonate across generations.

From hairstyles to makeup techniques, the influence of Black culture on beauty can’t be overstated, and it’s time they get credit.

Acrylic nails and nail art

Acrylic nails and intricate nail art have become a staple in beauty routines worldwide, but their origins trace back to the creativity of Black women.

Dating back to the 1970s disco era, Black women began experimenting with acrylic nails as a form of self-expression, often adorned with vibrant colours, patterns, and designs. Popularized by icons like Diana Ross and Donna Summer, these elaborate and artistic nail designs quickly gained traction, becoming symbols of empowerment and self-expression within Black communities.

As the trend carried into the ’90s, Black hip-hop and R&B artists such as Missy Elliot and Lil’ Kim showcased opulent designs and elongated tips in their music videos and red-carpet appearances.

Since then, the realm of creative nail art has blossomed into one of the most prominent beauty phenomena of our era. From intricate acrylic embellishments to sleek polished patterns, nail art has a ubiquitous presence on fashion runways, glossy magazines, social media platforms, and everyday life, continuing as a symbol of confidence and individuality.

Tooth gems

Although tooth gems and grills trace back to the Mayan Empire when dentists implanted jade into the teeth of royalty, their modern resurgence owes much to the influence of Black culture, particularly within the realm of music and entertainment.

Though tooth gems, caps, and grills were all the rage in the late ’90s and early ’00s, they were first brought to the mainstream in 1975 when Jamaican singer and model Grace Jones was featured on the cover of Vogue Hommes wearing a set of gold grills.

Today, tooth gems have been embraced by Black artists and performers such as A$AP Rocky, FKA Twigs, Rihanna, and Drake. Tooth gems specifically have gained immense popularity on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, further propelling them into the spotlight and making them a coveted accessory for individuals across the globe.

Brown lip liner

In 2022, Hailey Bieber posted a TikTok wearing what she and everyone else called “brownie glazed lips.” However, Black, brown, and Latina women have been wearing similar shades for decades, often using brown lip liner to enhance their natural lip shape and create a fuller appearance.

Brown lip liner emerged as a defining beauty trend of the ’90s, popularized by Black women who embraced it as a versatile tool for enhancing lip shape and definition. From supermodels like Naomi Campbell to music icons like Aaliyah, brown lip liner became synonymous with effortless glamour and sophistication. Its ability to complement a wide range of lip colours and skin tones made it a must-have beauty staple for women of all backgrounds.

Now, brown lip liner continues to be a beloved beauty essential—thanks to all the white celebrities taking credit for the trend—cherished for its ability to enhance natural beauty and create timeless looks.

Sleek hairstyles

Take one look around you’re likely to see eight out of 10 people rocking a slicked-back hairstyle. What many attribute to the clean girl aesthetic actually traces back to the Black community.

Historically, young Black girls were led to believe the coily, curly hairs sprouting from their crown should be sleeked into submission because Afro-textured hair was considered unkempt. This perception was deeply rooted in societal norms and Eurocentric beauty standards that favoured straight hair over natural textures. As a result, Black individuals felt pressured to conform to these ideals by straightening or slicking back their hair to appear more polished and “acceptable” in mainstream society.

The ’90s saw edge styling flourish as young Black girls and women exhibited increasing creativity with their baby hairs to complement their ponytails and updos. Today, slick backed edges have become a beauty essential, giving rise to a dedicated category within haircare as numerous companies now offer edge styling gels, pomades, and special combs to meet the demand for achieving everyone’s favourite, slicked-back hair.