MEET OUR LGBTQIA+ FOUNDED BEAUTY BRANDS

Last updated: 10/06/2024

Here at Cult Beauty, we want everyone, everywhere, to feel that they are free to love who they want to love, to identify however they choose to and to feel empowered to express themselves however they see fit yet, in spite of the positive strides that society’s taken, there’s sadly a long way to go when it comes to feeling safe and seen. Many people from within the LGBTQIA+ community still experience discrimination on a daily basis, which is why we are proud to have partnered with Mental Health UK to help further the critical work that they do to support those who’re struggling.

According to Mental Health UK, studies have revealed that “LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to develop a mental health problem or to experience poor mental health and, are one-and-a-half times more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders compared to the rest of the population.” These distressing statistics are reflective of the many life experiences that can impact emotional wellbeing – from fears surrounding coming out to being 'othered' during routine health checks – and the toll can have a devastating impact. Which is why, in tandem with our ongoing financial contributions to Mental Health UK (£260+k over two years), we also suggested creating a ‘safe space’ for people to share their experiences, connect with one another and benefit from peer-to-peer advice.

The Clic forum is now up and running and “since the LGBTQIA+ Community forum has gone live, we have seen users interact with the forum and support other users with exploring their identity,” says the charity, adding that “[this] is wonderful to see and highlights what a positive impact our partnership is having.”

But our support for the LGBTQIA+ community doesn’t end there. We are constantly looking for ways to celebrate diversity and we want Cult Beauty to reflect and empower the beautiful breadth of our audience. Why is why we’re seizing the opportunity to champion some of our exceptional LGBTQIA+ founded (and owned) skin care, make up and hair care brands.

No one put it better than the icon that is Dominique Jackson, who once said: “imagine a world without people in the LGBTQIA+ community. How boring!” So, without further ado, here’s our line-up of the latest and greatest from the LGBTQIA+ beautysphere... let's get proud.

GOOD LIGHT  

Take a step into a world beyond the binary. Developed by David Yi and inspired by the Very Good Light community, good light was created to move culture forward by not only creating world-class formulas, but also by promoting a more inclusive definition of beauty. This is a clear reflection of the future we all want to see, where gender diversity and fluidity is weaved into the very fabric of how the industry grows – because after all, beauty is for everyone. Each of the brand’s must haves are made with sensitive skin types in mind and are designed to be layered together to create multi-purpose, gentle and incredibly hydration products. 

ALLIES OF SKIN 

Acting as a personal laboratory for your skin, Allies of Skin creates ground-breaking formulas for every skin type. Founder and skin mastermind, Nicolas Travis, dreams up new and innovative products in its lab year after year (we’re looking at you Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment), by creating hardworking, multi-tasking must haves that help you achieve more — with fewer steps. The brand continues to  blend  potions packed with clinically approved active ingredients that target everything from dull and dehydrated skin to hyperpigmentation and uneven texture.  

ISLE OF PARADISE 

Wave goodbye to the flaky fake tans and patchy products of yesteryear, Isle of Paradise is just over the horizon. At the helm of this mighty crusade? The king of faux glow and creator of the very first customisable colour-correcting — Jules Von Hep.  Taking centre stage isn’t just the brand’s stellar selection of tanning royalty (although can’t talk about the brand without mentioning the signature Self-Tanning Drops), but also the customers behind it. Back in 2019, Von Hep chose to take a stance with his ‘Get Body Posi’ campaign, committing to putting body acceptance and positivity at the very top of the brand’s ethos, Dreaming up solutions and pushing self love to the forefront of its messaging, today Isle of Paradise is the type of paradise we can get behind! 

BYOMA 

Jumping into a league of its own since its inception, BYOMA is the skin care soulmate you’ve been looking for. Just like the perfect partner, transparency is at the forefront of the brand’s ethos — that and diminishing the ever-unrealistic beauty standards we could all live without. Marc Elrick, the mogul mind behind this oh-so real skin care brand, birthed BYOMA during lockdown when he realised how people were compromising their skin barriers (usually with overuse of potent actives...). With that in mind, he went on to create complexion cocktails that were infused with barrier-boosting properties that build, balance and brighten, without any effect to the skin barrier. 

JORDAN SAMUEL SKIN 

Dreamt up by the ballet elite himself, Jordan Samuel Skin is quite literally stage ready. All that’s left for you to do is ‘enjoy the glow’! As any frequent performer knows, heavy make up and scorching stage lights do a number on the skin, from causing irritation to bringing on straight up sores. But, fear not that’s where Jordan Samuel Pacitti, comes into play. The eleven-year ballet alum set out to find the most effective ways to deal with this burden, and thus his brand was born. One of many of the brand’s must haves is the Skin Hydrate The Mist. Delivering instant dew when spritzed, this featherweight formula is blended with botanical ingredients and nourishing humectants to bathe your complexion with moisture. Soothing, smoothing and refreshing it’s the perfect midday pick-me-up or instant toner throughout the day... 

MALIN+GOETZ 

New Yorkers born and bred, Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz strived to create something uncomplicated-yet-luxurious skin care and fragrances. And that they did. Cue: MALIN+GOTEZ. Transforming routines from New York to LA, London to Hong Kong for nearly two decades, the brand’s products do exactly what they say on the bottle. There are no cheap thrills here, just high-quality ingredients paired with design-conscious packaging, to create seriously efficacious essentials. Its targeted treatments are ready to be incorporated into your existing regimes to add a little more va-va-voom — no matter your complexion concern. With all of this on offer, it's no wonder they have been Haul of Fame winners and are a total Cult-classic… 

PEACE OUT 

Peace Out is an LGBTQIA+ founded and run brand that has truly brought the fun back to our skin care routines. A case in point? The fan-favourite Acne Healing Dots, that promise to banish blemishes and right redness wrongs. The brand’s founder, Enrico Frezza, builds products that allow people to feel empowered and included, with a mission to bring peace to skin qualms, no matter how big or small the problem may seem. Going one step further, Peace Out has partnered with LGBTQIA+ charity The Trevor Project, supporting programs that offer assistance to diverse communities. 

TOO FACED 

As the one and only Cyndi Lauper once said, “girls just wanna have fun!” And this was oh-so clear to the creators of cute and kitschy beauty brand Too Faced, Jerrod Blandino and Jeremy Johnson. The pair wanted to inject a bit more playfulness into the industry — and customers, editors and influencers alike lapped it up. A particular hero? The Better Than Sex Mascara. A game-changer in the beauty sphere, it’s powered by film-forming polymers that hold lashes and curl in place, collagen to help strengthen hairs and finally, with its hourglass wand shape, it creates romantic, full and fluttery lashes with every coat you apply. It’s a solid favourite in make up bags across the globe for a reason. 

PATRICK TA 

Regarded as one of the most esteemed make up artists in the world right now, PATRICK TA is famed for his dew-delivering make up looks. A lover of natural finishes, he created his eponymous brand to enhance and not mask. A fan favourite? The brand’s Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo. Utilising the founder’s unique method of applying blush powder before cream, these head-turning heroes seamlessly melt into the face for perfect colour layering. Combining a weightless, non-cakey powder with a super-hydrating dewy crème, this complexion couple makes for a beautiful splash of colour your cheeks never knew they needed... 

JVN HAIR 

Created by Queer Eye star and renowned hair stylist, Jonathen Van Ness, JVN Hair brings luxurious locks home. Thanks to the brand’s star ingredient – hemi-squalane – these tress-treasures address common concerns and aren’t focused on hair types or genders – so there is a formula no matter what your hair goal is. A particular strand saviour? The Complete Pre-Wash Scalp Oil. An essential step in your washing routine, this ‘skin-care-for-hair' treatment is infused with turmeric extract and neem seed oil to sooth and stimulate your scalp, so your lengths look and feel stronger for longer.  

KEVIN AUCOIN 

Famed for his signature ‘sculpted’ look, Kevin Aucoin was the creator of modern contouring, and used this technique on some of the world's famed faces — Whitney Houston, Cher, Madonna, Cindy Crawford, to name just a few. Bringing make up methods typically used in drag to the masses, Kevin is considered as one of the greatest make up artists of today. He founded his eponymous brand in 2001, and although the man behind the brand sadly passed away in 2002, his legacy lives on through the brand’s vast collection. An iconic that has stood the test of time is The Sculpting Powder. Creating the illusion of shadows without looking chalky, its unique combination of pigments effortlessly glides on the complexion to carve out cheekbones, jaw lines and anywhere else that needs streamlining quickly and professionally. No wonder it’s been a bestseller for years! 

Cult Beauty adores and supports not only the LGBTQIA+ founded beauty brands, but everyone across the world who feels unseen. We want everyone to feel confident and comfortable with who they are. And no one says it better than Janet Mock, the American writer and trans rights activist. So, before you go let us leave you with this... “I believe that telling our stories, first to ourselves and then to one another and the world, is a revolutionary act. It is an act that can be met with hostility, exclusion, and violence. It can also lead to love, understanding, transcendence, and community. I hope that my being real with you will help empower you to step into who you are and encourage you to share yourself with those around you.”