Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Caribbean Woman-Owned Brands to Shop From
written by CC Mag
The holiday season marks a time for family, friends, get togethers and gifts. From local weekend winter getaways to sunny winter escapes like the Caribbean islands, Christmas is the season for gift giving.
In celebration of both Christmas and Caribbean girl magic, here's a curated list of 11 Caribbean woman-owned brands that exude quality, amplify the culture and most importantly, are sure to put a smile on faces Christmas morning.
1.Cay Skin
Founded by Jamaican American supermodel Winnie Harlow, Cay Skin was inspired by Winnie’s personal experience with a lack of compatible sun care products. While on a shoot in the Bahamas, the supermodel skipped applying sunscreen to avoid the infamous white cast residue. As a result, she experienced painful sun damage that permanently altered the pattern of her vitiligo—skin discoloration, which has become her signature beauty mark. Winnie questioned why she had to sacrifice skincare for beauty. Three years later, she founded Cay Skin, a beauty brand that specializes in sun protection and provides illuminating products for all skin tones and types. From its SPF 45 sea moss moisturizer to its SPF 50 body mist, Cay Skin is sure to keep your skin protected this winter season.
[Additional Read: Djulicious: The International Beauty Mogul Paving the Way for Other Women Entrepreneurs]
2. Auvê Beauty
Created to empower and educate women through self-care, Auvê Beauty is a clean plant-based skincare line that offers skincare solutions sure to keep your skin healthy and hydrated, which is essential during the winter months. The Guyanese Californian brand was founded by chief alchemist Angella Sprauve, who drew inspiration from her cultural roots. Auvê Beauty is beyond just clean skincare. It promotes transparency in its social responsibility. Every ingredient within its products and packaging takes wellness, environmental impact and animal welfare into consideration.
3. Jam + Rico
Jam + Rico offers trendy jewelry and accessories that are perfect for summer style. Founded by Lisette Scott, who is also co-founder and event chair of Black in Jewelry Coalition, Jam + Rico infuses Caribbean culture and heritage in its designs. Think vibrant colors, feminine shapes and bold designs. Many of Jam + Rico’s accessories serve as eye-catching statement pieces. Whether you’re heading to a holiday dinner or Sunday brunch, Jam + Rico jewelry makes an outstanding addition to your holiday accessory collection.
4. Breukelen Polished
A matching mani and pedi is a timeless style. Breukelen Polished offers an array of vibrant and muted shades. Inspired by the borough of Brooklyn, founder Ariel Terry is a Bed-Stuy native of Trinidadian and Jamaican descent. The lacquer brand prides itself on having the right shade for everyone. From the Wall Street financier to the woman strolling through Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights holiday homes, choose from 30+ colors. The lacquers are formulated without the harsh chemicals typically found in nail polish and are 11 free, cruelty-free, and vegan.
*11 free means products that do not contain Formaldehyde or Formaldehyde Resin, Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, Xylene, Acetone, Parabens, Eggs and Wheat.
5. Tonal Cosmetics
It’s no secret that the sun wreaks havoc on skin. Whether you’re lounging by the poolside for vacation this winter, heading to work, or running errands, a foundation with high SPF is an essential beauty product. Tonal Cosmetics offers 10 shades of sweat-proof cream foundation with SPF 50. Founded by Cosmetic Scientist Christal Alert, who is of Barbadian descent, the brand is described as “makeup meets skin care.” Its patented Hyalpol Matrix ingredient serves as a magnet to attract moisture while Sepicontrol A5 reduces sebum regulation and combats shininess. Tonal Cosmetics foundations deliver coverage and sun protection, making them the perfect essential product to throw in your beach bag.
6. Kreyol Essence
CEO and founder Yve-Car Momperousse and co-founder Stéphane Jean-Baptiste anxiously stepped onto NBC’s Shark Tank stage, hoping to secure an investor. The pair succeeded in partnering with investor Kevin O’Leary. Kreyol Essence is known for its line of Haitian Black Castor Oil. Black castor oil has long been used in the Caribbean as a natural remedy to promote hair growth, treat dry scalp, and is a potent moisturizer for those with eczema. Momperousse was inspired to start the brand as a result of her experience with hair damage. She searched for black castor oil at local beauty supply stores to treat her damaged hair, but found none. Kreyol Essence prides itself on being cruelty-free, paragon, and sulfate-free. Grab a bottle for luscious locks this summer season!
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7. Earring Envy
Earring Envy specializes in high-end fashion jewelry. Its bold designs feature 18k-24k silver-plated and gold-plated finishes, paired with various stones such as emerald and high-quality custom-cut cubic zirconia. Founded by Jamaican-born and raised designer Anyeka Frith, the designer pulled inspiration from her hyphenated identity. Inspired by the fashion from her hometown of St. James, Jamaica, Frith fused it with trends she saw in Brooklyn, NY where she currently resides. Earring Envy jewelry is sophisticated, glamorous and bold, yet commands elegance. It’s a great option for date night or a formal occasion.
8. Diana’s Candles and Soaps
Nothing says luxury like relaxing bath bombs and scented soy candles. Founder Diana Sookram, is a mompreneur who launched Diana’s Candles and Soaps in response to her daughter’s eczema and Sookram’s own journey with psoriasis. The Indo Caribbean founder avoided the purchase of drugstore treatment products due to their unhealthy filler ingredients. After much research, she found that bath bombs were made with essential oils. Although essential oils are not a cure to skin issues, they can be calming and nourishing to irritated skin. She created bath balms, soap bars, and body lotions that worked wonders for her children and clients. Her essential oil-infused skin and body care products are a great choice for after-sun skin care. Light a soy candle and opt for a relaxing bath bomb or shower steamer to enhance your summer self-care routine.
9. Beauty of the Isles
Beauty of the Isles is a skincare brand formulated with blends of organic botanical ingredients. Founded by Sydelle Alvarez, a first-generation Trinidadian American, the plant-based brand prides itself on being clean, having toxic-free ingredients and celebrating diversity in providing products for all skin types and shades. Alvarez showcases Caribbean culture throughout the line with products named Soufriere Cleanser and Hispaniola Hydrating Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid.
10. BKLYN Moss
Scented candles create the perfect ambiance when entertaining. Try BKLYN Moss’ collection of candles for holiday get-togethers. Scents like Dark Vanilla and Dark Rose conjure images that appeal to the senses. BKLYN Moss was founded by Nara, a woman in tech who sought a creative outlet during the pandemic. Nara, whose roots are in Dominica, found herself living in Brooklyn during the pandemic and picked up an interest in candle making. Thus, the birth of BKLYN Moss.
These 10 brands are sure to put a smile on your face Christmas morning!
