This Pride month, if you're looking to use some of your spending dollars to support the LGBTQI+ community, we encourage you to direct your purchasing towards LGBTQI+ owned brands to avoid conflating large corporations jumping on the Pride bandwagon with limited-edition, tokenistic products that commodify the community for timely capital.
Aside from donating directly - which we encourage doing first-and-foremost, and specifically to organizations that are Black and Indigenous run - spending with LGBTQI+ owned brands not only puts money directly into the hands of Queer business owners, but reinforces your stance as a consumer on which companies your values align with, and shows that consumers care about representation within the beauty industry. Below, we have put together some LGBTQI+ owned beauty brands to get acquainted with this month and moving forward.
NOTO Botanics
Founded by Gloria Noto, NOTO is a gender-fluid, vegan, natural cosmetics brand offering a range of skincare and minimal makeup for all. NOTO not only offers multi-use product grounded in representation but frequently gives back to the LGBTQI+ via donations to multiple LGBTQI+ and women's rights organisations across the US.
Hi Wildflower
Hi Wildflower was created by novelist Tanaïs in 2014. For socially conscious consumers looking for a more colourful approach to beauty, this one is for you. Offering a range of cosmetics and fragrances that champion QPOC storytellers and survivors. Hi Wildflower supports organisations like Girls Write Now, Arte and Resistance Education, Black Lives Matter and Free From - Entrepreneurship with survivors of domestic violence.
Fluide
For when we can dance again. Fluide offers a collection of colourful, cruelty-free makeup for all identities and skin tones. Created to champion gender expansive identities and provide high quality, high-impact cosmetics for maximum self-expression, Fluide cosmetics are as joyful as they are playful. Offering biodegradable glitter, nail polish, and universal liners and lipsticks. Fluide are also committed to giving back by frequently supporting LGBTQI+ organisations through donations and initiatives.
Boy Smells
Founded by IRL partners Matthew Herman and David Kien, Boy Smells is a candle brand that exists beyond the binary. Packaged in minimal, pink labels with scents geared towards nature, all candles are developed and mixed in the founders’ home in Los Angeles with fragrance and natural oils, all-natural coconut wax and beeswax.
Sigil
Sigil Scent was founded in 2015 by Patrick Kelly. Sigil offers a line of premium gender-neutral fragrances that are long-wearing, nuanced, and 100% natural. Utilising a combination of handmade tinctures, essential oils, and absolutes that are packaged to happily display on anyone's shelf.
Malin + Goetz
Run by couple Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz, Malin + Goetz offers a range of beautifully scented, uncomplicated face and body care. M+G products are natural, efficacious and beautifully packaged, with an expansive offering of skincare, body care, hair care, and fragrance.
