This beloved, affordable L.A.-based makeup and skincare brand caters to the unique beauty of people of colour
Remember when you had to drive Stateside to get your hands on low-rise jeans and Marissa Cooper-inspired polo shirts from brands like Hollister and Abercrombie? Or maybe you were the type to dangle the threat of a breakup in front of your college boyfriend if he didn’t return from his family vacay in Sarasota with a case of Vanilla Coke. No, just me? Well, EITHER WAY there’s no worse feeling than finding your new favourite brand abroad only to return home and realize it does not ship to Canada. THE. SHADE.
And, mentally that’s where I’ve been for the past several years, anxiously awaiting the Canadian border to open to many, many beloved brands, but most specifically: Black Radiance Beauty. But FINALLY, like an early Christmas miracle, the cast and crew of Border Security: Canada’s Front Line have made my makeup dreams come true.
That’s right: Come mid-November, cult-fave beauty brand Black Radiance finally lands on Canadian soil. If you’re not familiar with the Holy Grail of cosmetics, allow me rock your world. Founded in New York circa the ’90s, Black Radiance was born after realizing the beauty space was doing the absolute least for POC whilst alienating women with deeper skin tones beyond the “honey” or “almond” variety. To this day, Black Radiance is on a mission to celebrate the beauty and inner strength of Black women, offering a wide variety of products that are cruelty-free, safe for those with sensitive skin and did we mention affordable as hell? Prices start at just $4.
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Now based in L.A., the brand’s extensive offerings include highly pigmented lipsticks, palettes that are rich in colour and foundations specifically formulated to enhance darker complexions. The collection is rounded out with skincare as well, including a dreamy botanical beauty oil that seals in moisture, a water-to-foam cleanser for a deep, squeaky clean and even a dual-action exfoliator.
Get your wallets ready because (as of November 9) Black Radiance is now available at 75 Rexalls across Canada with an assortment of 120 products! Some bestsellers to get you started include this stunning eye shadow palette filled with 12 insanely pigmented matte, pearl and metallic shades that actually show up on darker skin tones to create bold, kaleidoscope eyes.
Eye Appeal™ Shadow Palette in Out of the Blue, $8, rexall.ca for locations
Black Radiance is most famous for its inclusive range of foundation shades, so it’s no wonder this perfect oil-free liquid makeup has amassed a cult-like following. Formulated specifically for people of colour, this foundation is full coverage, leaving a fresh, natural finish that enhances your skin tone.
Color Perfect™ Oil Free Liquid Make-Up, $6, rexall.ca for locations
If you’re a fan of supermodel sculpted cheekbones, then this true complexion crème contour palette should be on your shopping list.
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True Complexion Creme Contour Palette, $9, rexall.ca for locations