A Dive into Black Beauty History February 25, 2025

Black History Month is a vital time to recognize the profound impact Black culture, innovation, and artistry have had on the beauty industry. From trailblazing entrepreneurs who broke barriers to the influence of Black beauty trends that have shaped global aesthetics, the contributions of Black creatives are undeniable. Celebrating diversity is one of the best aspects of the beauty industry, as it thrives on inclusivity, representation, and the celebration of all skin tones, hair textures, and cultural traditions. Honoring Black history in beauty not only highlights the pioneers who have paved the way but also fosters a more equitable and empowering space for future generations. By embracing diversity, the industry continues to grow, ensuring that beauty remains a platform for self-expression, cultural appreciation, and empowerment for all.

Throughout this month TSPA Fort Wayne has been highlighting influential Black creatives from the beauty industry. We wanted to put all of this information in one place to make it easier for you all to find and to learn about these amazing people. 

Donyale Luna

In 1966, Donyale Luna was the first Black woman to be featured on the cover of Vogue magazine. She was also the first Black woman to be featured on the cover of a major magazine. On this cover Luna was wearing acrylic nails, being the first person on the cover of any magazine to be wearing acrylics. She is credited as helping to popularize the nail style.  

Luna is frequently called the first Black supermodel due to her unprecedented success. At the time there were very few Black women in the modeling industry and the ones who were there almost never landed high profile shoots. Luna had a quick rise to success beginning her modeling career in 1964 and rising to international success by 1966. Even being named “the most photographed woman of 1966” by Jet Magazine.

To this day Luna inspires and influences models due to her eccentric and theatrical walk. She is considered the founder of “method modeling,” a walk that incorporates technical body movements with avant garde expressions of creativity. Luna was known for stopping mid-walk to stare at journalists and photographers. 

Madame C.J. Walker 

Madame C.J. Walker was the first woman in history to become a self made millionaire. Walker made her fortune by developing and marketing a line of cosmetics and hair care products for Black women through her business Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company. 

Walker was inspired to create hair products for Black women after she lost a lot of her own hair due to a scalp disorder.  She developed the “Walker System” which involved different steps of hair care such as scalp preparation and iron combs. She employed many other Black women to help personally sell her products. 

In 1908 she opened her own beauty school in Indianapolis, Indiana. called the Leila College of Beauty Culture. The school helped to train “hair culturist” giving many Black women educational and financial opportunities. 

Walker is also incredibly well known as a philanthropist. She donated to countless charities helping to fund education for Black people. She encouraged her employees to donate and participate in their community and even gave bonuses to those who did. She is most known for funding scholarships for women at Tuskegee Institute and her large donations to the NAACP. 

Pat McGrath

Pat McGrath has been working in the makeup and beauty industry for over 25 years. She is best known for her couture makeup looks she does for runway fashion shows in Milan, Paris, London and New York. She incorporates unconventional materials such as feathers and ornaments that have inspired many other artists and pushed the artform. Her most recent influential look was the glass skin trend first seen at Paris Fashion week. This trend became insanely popular online with many makeup artists recreating it for their own looks. 

Throughout her time in the industry McGrath has won numerous prestigious awards such as the most influential makeup artist in the world by Vogue magazine (2007), a founder’s award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and One of the 100 most influential people in the world in TIme Magazine (2019). She is also the first make-up artist to be made a Dame Commander of the British Empire (2021).

In 2015 she launched her own line of beauty products called Pat McGrath Labs, which became a billion dollar company in only 4 years. When she launched her first product Gold 001 it sold out completely in only 6 minutes. McGrath’s many years of continued success shows Pat McGrath is an icon in the beauty world and her success is likely to never slow down. 

Anthony Overton 

Anthony Overton founded the Overton Hygienic Manufacturing Company in the early 1990s. He noticed there was a lack of beauty products created specifically for Black women. Through this company he began creating gentle complexion products aimed at Black women. The most successful of these being “High Brown Face Powder,” which was one of the first successful makeup products and one of the first complexion products created for Black women.

Overton had an incredibly entrepreneurial spirit and founded several businesses, but his cosmetic company was the most successful by far. Only two years after opening the cosmetic company they employed 150 people most of whom were Black women. The cosmetic company was valued at around one million dollars, making Overton the most successful Black businessman in the nation.  

About 40 years after Overton’s passing the Overton Hygienic company went out of business. The city of Chicago took over the building and turned it into a public library. In 1986 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. 

Why do we celebrate?

Black History Month is more than a celebration—it is a reminder of the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. It is a time to reflect on the past, acknowledge the present, and commit to a future of inclusivity, equity, and progress. In every industry, including beauty, education, business, and beyond, Black voices have shaped innovation and inspired change. By recognizing and honoring these contributions, we take steps toward a more just and diverse society where everyone’s story is valued. As we move forward, let Black History Month serve as a call to action to uplift, support, and continue learning—not just in February, but all year round.