From Santo Domingo to San Juan to Miami and New York, these founders turn family remedies, island architecture and everyday rituals into things worth gifting.
Holiday shopping goes further when the story behind a product is as good as the product. The 30 brands below were started by founders with Cuban, Dominican, Puerto Rican, Jamaican and Guyanese roots. Some are based in the Caribbean and others in the diaspora, and each entry says which. Check each brand’s website for current products, shipping and pricing, since availability changes through the season.
Beauty and Skincare
1. Alamar Cosmetics
Gabriela “Gaby” Trujillo was born in Alamar, Cuba, and immigrated to the U.S. at age 3, according to the brand’s founder biography. Her Miami-based makeup line draws on Cuban culture and family expressions, and it suits readers who like bold color.
View this post on Instagram
2. LUNA MAGIC
Sisters Mabel and Shaira Frías founded this makeup, lash and brush line. Coveteur identifies them as Afro-Latina and Dominican, and the current site lists Shaira as owner and CEO. Its bundles make an easy gift.
View this post on Instagram
3. Bomba Curls
Founder Lulu Cordero is Afro-Dominicana, and her textured-hair care uses remedies from the Dominican Republic. It is a natural pick for anyone who wears their curls proudly.
View this post on Instagram
4. OCOA Beauty
Dominican-American sisters Cory Varona-Corniel and Nicol Varona Cancelmo make curl products inspired by Dominican ingredients and their own hair journeys. The brand ties its roots to their family’s hometown in the Dominican Republic. Routine sets suit curl-care beginners.
View this post on Instagram
[Additional Read: How a Puerto Rican Oncologist Is Making Trust, Representation and Community Central to the Future of Cancer Care]
5. república skin
Julissa Bermudez, who is Dominican-American, launched this sugar-based body care line with Dominican cultural inspiration. The travel-size body polish suits a stocking.
View this post on Instagram
6. Skinergy Beauty
Priscilla Jiminian traces her skincare line to Dominican family remedies and work with a formulator in the Dominican Republic. The products target concerns such as uneven tone and dark spots. Check the brand’s site for specific product claims.
View this post on Instagram
7. Necromancy Cosmetica
Desiree Rodríguez and Salvador Pérez run this Puerto Rican brand from Río Piedras. It makes small-batch lipsticks with a dark, expressive look, and it is woman-co-founded. It adds range to a season of red and gold palettes.
View this post on Instagram
8. Miss Rizos
Carolina Contreras runs this curl-focused business and community in Santo Domingo. Her work centers on self-acceptance as well as hair services, so it fits best as an experience gift for readers in the Dominican Republic. Confirm online gift options before promoting them.
View this post on Instagram
Jewelry
9. LUINY
Luiny Rivera is a Puerto Rican artist based in New York. Her sculptural rings and earrings include hand-carved forms and recycled-metal designs. They suit readers who want a statement piece.
View this post on Instagram
10. MUNS
Sisters Bianca and Paola Muns design from an Old San Juan studio. Their pieces use pearls, shells and organic references, and the brand also sells linen clothing.
View this post on Instagram
11. İTÄ
Inés Capó is Puerto Rican and her co-founder Äfet Burcu Salargil is Turkish. Their fine jewelry pairs Caribbean storytelling with Turkish craftsmanship. It is a splurge, not a budget pick.
View this post on Instagram
12. Diciembre Veintinueve
Gabriela Berlingeri keeps this jewelry, swimwear and objects brand based in Puerto Rico. Her designs draw on beach life and island light.
View this post on Instagram
13. Grace Gonzalez Jewelry
Grace González was raised in San Juan and returned to Puerto Rico in 2022 to establish the current brand. Her pieces draw on travel, heritage and island memories.
View this post on Instagram
14. Luz Ortiz
Luz Ortiz was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York. Her architectural jewelry combines organic shapes, precious metals and stones.
View this post on Instagram
15. Cassava & Cane
Afro-Dominican founder Gloria Malone makes affirmation jewelry with words like “Bendecida,” “Guerrera” and “Mujerón.” It works well as a gift to yourself. The storefront could not be retrieved independently, so confirm it before publishing.
View this post on Instagram
16. Jam + Rico
Lisette Scott has Jamaican and Puerto Rican roots. Her colorful jewelry draws on Caribbean culture, landscape and movement.
View this post on Instagram
17. Ural Studio
Melissa Ramírez grew up Puerto Rican, with Cuban and Guatemalan family connections. Her jewelry is inspired by the ornamental iron gates and balconies of Puerto Rican homes.
View this post on Instagram
Home and Wellness
18. VELA NEGRA
Founder Aisha Z. Hamilton, also covered earlier as Aisha Cort, names both Afro-Cuban and Guyanese heritage. Her candles and home fragrance are built around Afro-Caribbean stories and ritual, which makes them a good host gift.
View this post on Instagram
19. La Boticá
Dawn Marie West describes herself as Black and Dominican, with Dominican paternal heritage. Her fragrance and candle line is art-led. It suits readers who treat fragrance as self-care.
View this post on Instagram
20. flama
Patricia Pérez Mejía makes soy candles with colorful design and Puerto Rican expressions. Her explicit self-identification is still needed for the fact-check file
View this post on Instagram
21. Vecina Couture
Ada Rojas founded this robe and homewear label around the “bata” concept.
View this post on Instagram
Fashion and Accessories
22. Cenia New York
Dominican designer Cenia Paredes grew up in a family of dressmakers. Her womenswear is designed with fit and different body shapes in mind, so it suits holiday party shopping.
View this post on Instagram
23. Ecliptica and ecliptica ISLA
Puerto Rican sisters Norein and Michelle Otero design expressive silhouettes. ISLA is the more approachable line, while Atelier is the splurge.
View this post on Instagram
24. Stella Nolasco
Born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Nolasco draws on Puerto Rican culture and craftsmanship. Her work is a designer spotlight, not a bargain find.
View this post on Instagram
25. Kūla by SFA
Stephanie Fuentes was born in San Juan and raised on Puerto Rico’s northwest coast. She makes small-batch clothing in Puerto Rico from cotton, linen and silk.
View this post on Instagram
26. Isleñas
Karla López Rivera returned to Puerto Rico to launch footwear and accessories with a female-led community of Puerto Rican designers.
View this post on Instagram
27. MARIMU
Mari Muñecas designs conscious resortwear in Puerto Rico.
View this post on Instagram
28. Clandestina
Idania del Río is Cuban, and she founded the brand with Leire Fernández. Their graphic apparel and gifts reflect contemporary Havana, humor and resilience.
View this post on Instagram
Food
29. Pisqueya
Maritza Abreu was born in New York and has Dominican roots. Her hot sauces and adobo come from family recipes, and they fit a pantry gift basket.
View this post on Instagram
30. Loisa
Yadira García is Dominican and co-owns the company with Kenny Luna and Scott Hattis, so it is not exclusively woman-owned. It sells sazón, adobo, sofrito and cooking tools.
View this post on Instagram
We’re excited to bring you a an exclusive Caribbean Latina-owned holiday gift guide. To learn celebrate Latinas of Caribbean heritage follow us @caribbeancollectivemaglatinas.
