The most innovative woman-owned brands to support during Women’s History Month and beyond

A proud Latina entrepreneur, Joanna Vargas is a recognized skincare expert and founder of her eponymous skincare collection and beloved body and face treatments. Combining her commitment to plant-based ingredients and her passion for science, Joanna’s nature-meets-technology approach has made her one of the most sought-out estheticians and experts in the beauty industry today.

Julianne Moore, Rachel Brosnahan, Mindy Kaling, and Maggie Gyllenhaal are just a few famous faces who look to Joanna for radiant skin. Joanna’s results-driven treatments and products are notorious for being a favorite among celebrities, it-girls, and people who simply want the best for their skin. Her non-invasive techniques - paired with her natural and effective skincare products — result in healthy, glowing skin for everyone.

Women’s History Month

Inspired by the collective power of small actions adding up to a lot of good, Cynthia launched evolvetogether as a daily essentials brand focused on helping people and the planet. To her surprise, the first product, an everyday medical mask, became a celeb-favorite and instant bestseller thanks to its comfortable fit, minimal design, superior filtration, and an authentic ethos of doing good every day, together.

Powered by a passionate customer base that cares just as much she does, evolvetogether continues to launch compelling, earth-friendly daily essentials for people who care in the beauty, wellness, home, travel, and ready-to-wear categories. As a nod to how the brand began and the belief that we can create a better future for all of us, each product is stamped with global coordinates as a reminder that we’re all connected no matter our race, gender, religion, or where we live — and to keep doing good every day, together.

Dr. Iris Rubin, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist with laser and cosmetic fellowship training, a graduate of Harvard Medical School, and a former pediatric laser surgeon at Children’s National Medical Center. SEEN was born from Iris’ experience with breakouts related to her personal hair care use. Deciding that she (and her patients) shouldn’t have to choose between great hair and great skin, she holistically re-thought the formulation process for hair care. SEEN’s products have changed countless people’s lives, from those struggling with eczema, fragrance sensitivity, and acne; Iris’ continued dedication to developing skin-caring, effective products are backed by months of research, testing, and passion.

Youtuber and and Latina entrepreneur KathleenLights (Kathleen Fuentes), is the founder of Lights Lacquer a vegan, cruelty & seven-free nail lacquer brand that creates beautiful and distinct lacquers. She is also the founder of Lights Label — an accessories and apparel merchandise line that features both unique art and lifestyle products.

Julie Kandalec is a highly coveted celebrity manicurist, and founder of Julie K Nail Artelier. She has an array of clients ranging from Camila Cabello, Joe Jonas, and Sydney Sweeney. The expert recently released her second edition of the popular Nail Art Design book —a self-published nail art design sketchbook.

Hello Updo is an Afro-Latina-owned hair care brand that is challenging the idea of the one-size-fits-all hair tool routine. Hello Updo makes luxury essentials texture-inclusive to cater curlies needs. After breaking through one too many elastic hair ties and growing tired of the same old tools, founder, Magdaline Hurtado, created a large silk scrunchie to fit and protect her big coily hair.

XIO By Ylette is a unique monthly jewelry subscription bag inspired by the founder’s love of astrology, Cuban culture. Ylette also finds inspiration in her grandmother, Xiomara.

Auraïha is a fresh, fun, eco-friendly brand that bridges the gap between drugstore offerings and luxury-priced options found at popular retailers like Sephora. The clean beauty products are free from any harmful ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, silicones, and synthetic fragrances and are cruelty-free and EWG-verified.

Canada-based Founder Rachaelle Rempe’s skincare journey included dealing with acne and needing to find the correct formulas that blended with her skin’s sensitive requirements. She spent a year and a half working with a seasoned French chemist to develop two powerhouse products, a serum and setting spray, that do so much at such an affordable price.

Veronica M expertly combines classic styles and vintage patterns with a bohemian twist to create statement pieces and closet staples. Los Angeles-based Founder Veronica Ferrer is a fashion designer known to turn heads with her definitive collection. Her fashion career spans over 25 years, initially selling her unique pieces at the Fairfax High flea market in Hollywood. Fast forward to today and she’s crafted a look that’s all her own with a line infused with colorful basics and timeless pieces that elevate any wardrobe.

Halo Mane is a Black woman-owned Ayurvedic hair care line designed to give locks healthy nutrients with natural herbs and ingredients. Florida-Based Founder, Rae Knight, is vegan and ensures all products are plant and herb-based, crafting the items herself. Knight couldn’t find a product that worked for her hair, so she took matters into her hands and created this all-natural line that takes hair care to the next level. Ayurveda focuses on a natural way of living and maintaining healthy hair is a vital part of that. Natural herbs have the power to amplify beauty internally and externally. Halo Mane provides much-needed hydration for curly hair to promote hair growth and increase protection.

Created by Bay Area artist Jessica Snapp, Buen Camino Jewelry offers handmade enamel and silver jewelry for the creative soul with several pieces from the collection benefiting charity. The Bay Area educator-turned-business owner designs travel-inspired jewelry, with some pieces benefiting charity. The brand takes its name from the historical pilgrimage from France to Santiago, Spain, (about 500 miles) mostly on foot that people have taken since the ninth century. Passersby say “Buen Camino” and the “good journey” continues today with this heirloom brand that can be passed down from generation to generation.

April Sargies, founder of Cloth + Bristle, has brought her vision to life by bringing premium all-natural cleaning products into our homes. With more than 25 years of experience in the professional cleaning industry, she identified limited options within the market for products that were free of the toxins/chemicals that worked effectively on delicate and fine surfaces. This problem inspired Cloth + Bristle, and the renowned patent pending No. 001 all-purpose cleaning product.

Gemnote was founded in 2015 by childhood best friends, Ashley Wong Tsui and Diane Liu, co-founder and COO. Launched from Y Combinator (a startup accelerator), their mission is to use the best parts of tech to help people build closer relationships. The Asian American owned service fuses retail and promotion to elevate the corporate gifting experience. Find all the best brands in one place (Patagonia, North Face, S’well, Native Union, and more) Gemnote has proven to be a one-stop shop for tech giants seeing unique gifts for valued clients and team members.

Vietnamese American founder and designer, Sandra Martinelli creates high-quality, lightweight, and delicate personal jewelry. Delicora offers a wide collection of semi-precious stones intended to capture a woman’s confidence, natural beauty, and individual style. From classic to bohemian to sophisticated styles, every unique piece is for all skin types designed with hypoallergenic 14k gold filled and sterling silver materials. For each item sold, 20 meals are donated to fight hunger through Feeding America.

Cindy Kang co-founded Hey Dewy in 2019 with her husband and best friend, Eugene. Currently, she oversees business strategy, marketing, social media, and branding efforts. Hey Dewy is a health & wellness brand that provides elegant, portable humidifiers that can be used at home or on the go. The products deliver mist to keep sinuses clear, combat dry skin, alleviate allergies, allow for more quality sleep, and help individuals stay hydrated & healthy.

Linda Wang is the founder and CEO of Karuna Skin and sister brand Avatara, known for being the first to bring Asian sheet masks to the U.S. Her interest in skincare has been shaped by an ongoing struggle since childhood with allergies rashes, and eczema. As an adult, her focus sharpened on resolving this deeply personal issue. In 2007, she discovered the revolutionary sheet masks on a trip back to Taiwan, which offer the hydrating and rejuvenating benefits of a facial without the expense or time commitment. Sensing an opportunity, she launched Karuna sheet masks in 2009. She aims to simplify and streamline beauty regimens through easy-to-use, accessible, and affordable beauty products.

Pucker Up Paper Lips are 3D paper sculptures hand created in the form of lips made with 100% recyclable paper of all different weights and colors. Pucker Up Paper Lips offers a variety of lips perfect for any occasion including a white lip adorned with red kisses, a black-based lip featuring a heart pattern in pink and red, to a traditional sexy red, bold lip, to lips in shades of pink and red. Custom designs are also available, and prices vary depending on design and size.

Laura, a self-taught paper artist, launched Pucker Up Paper Lips in October 2021 after a successful paper sculpted flower business as well. Laura’s design experience is varied from having a gallery show in England featuring her paper sculptures to working a New York Fashion Week runway show where models wore her artwork, to having her paper lip art feature on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, to even designing custom paper lips for leading cosmetic brands. To learn more, visit: https://puckeruppaperlips.com/

Nicci Levy is passionate about sharing her knowledge and expertise about cosmetics and skincare. As the past leading BOTOX, Juvéderm and Latisse Business Development Manager for Allergan in Beverly Hills for four consecutive years, Nicci has since ventured into launching her own brainchild, Alchemy 43 - a revolutionary medical aesthetics brand with locations in both Los Angeles and New York City. Alchemy 43 specializes in cosmetic injectables or as she likes to call it, micro treatment. Prior to her career in aesthetics, Nicci enjoyed 10 years in corporate cosmetics at companies including MAC, Nordstrom (where she piloted a personal shopping program), and most notably as the Director of Global Sales and Education at Calvin Klein where she was responsible for launching their cosmetics line.

Bonita Fierce Candles is a Latina-owned candle company founded by Melissa Gallardo with a vision that was built for the next generation of Latinas. These hand-poured, soy, premium candles feature sustainable and socially responsible clean ingredients and eco-friendly packaging, sharing “La Cultura” with the rest of the world.

Barbara Jacques is the founder of Florida-based Haitian brand Jacq’s, a vegan and sustainable skincare line for women of color. Barbara is an ambassador for Shop Latinx, the first curated and leading marketplace for Latinx brands and consumers, open to discussing the inclusion of Afro-Latinx in the diaspora and the role skincare plays in your overall health.

mumi Design is a Latina-owned brand founded by two busy “mom-trepreneurs” who share a passion for creating efficient and practical ways to get organized. Frustrated by not finding the right products to satisfy their packing and tidying-up needs, Gabriela Mekler and Maribel Moreno decided to create their own line of practical and fun travel products and beyond. These ladies, who met after both moving from Mexico to Miami, became fast friend and have achieved amazing growth going from selling their products in a school fair to now selling mumi in nine different countries and shipping merchandise to all continents after amassing a loyal following. They are the experts in how to organize a closet or pack for a vacation and their products even help with sustainability.