Let’s get shopping (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
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Christmas is upon us, Valentine’s Day is next, and meanwhile, birthdays weddings and anniversaries are all around us, all year long.
It can be tricky to remain innovative with your gift-giving, but fret not – we’ve got some new tricks you can hang up your sleeve.
From perfume for your hair to stunning jewellery, or perhaps, scented candles with a twist, here are some products your loved ones are bound to love.
And, in order to participate in creating a more equal industry, we’ve sourced these products from Black-owned businesses.
Shopping Black-owned doesn’t just help marginalised entrepreneurs (who currently receive just 1% of venture capital investment), it also gives you the chance to broaden your horizons, and learn new things about different founders, their cultures and stories.
That’s a win in our books. Let’s get shopping.
Ruka hair perfume
A crowdpleaser (Picture: Ruka)
Ruka is a hair extensions and hair care brand from which you can get a range of bits, from ponytails and tape-ins to hair perfume.
The Ruka perfume would make a great gift for all hair types. A delicate blend of delicious coconut top notes and woody heart notes that rest in a warm musk and vanilla base. Your friends will thank you for it.
The Celutations Planner
A great Christmas gift ahead of the New Year (Picture: Celutations)
Celutions is a social enterprise that is dedicated to creating solutions to the problems surrounding mental health. They offer workshops, coaching and mentoring.
The Celutions Planner journal would make a great gift for anyone in your life who’s goal driven. This planner will help keep them on top of your daily life while tracking their mental health.
Buy for £37.99 from Celutations
Okiki skincare and candles
You can’t go wrong (Picture: Okiki)
Okiki, which was founded by mother, Ade, and daughter, Antonia, is a must-visit for handcrafted and natural personal and home care products — including candles, soaps and lotions.
Okiki means prestigious in Yoruba and the brand was born out of a desire to create high-quality products from the best natural ingredients while paying homage to the duo’s rich Nigerian and Ghanaian heritage.
The Lolu gift set is bound to bring your loved ones joy. The face mask is a perfect gentle skin detox, while you soak in the bath salt and bask in the glow of a relaxing scented candle.
Kitsch Noir stationery and cards
Grab a great card (Picture: Kitsch Noir)
Kitsch Noir is the award winning, family friendly, black greeting cards and stationery brand, helping you to create an aesthetically pleasing and organised lifestyle.
Their focus is to represent the love, joy and humour within the black British experience.
They offer a range of different greeting and celebratory cards, so you’re bound to find one that will make a friend giggle.
Demure Lashes
Your beauty-obsessed bestie will love these lashes (Picture: Demure Lashes
Demure Lashes offers a range of different strip lash styles, in either silk or premium.
Your beauty guru bestie can never have enough false eyelashes so treat her to some more!
Shop online at Demure Lashes Online
Yemisi & Co candles
Stunning scents (Picture: Yemisi & Co)
We all know and love someone who loves the finer things in life. These luxurious candles will definitely hit the spot.
The Before Dawn candle, infused with eucalyptus, citrus and pine cones, is perfect for a relaxing night in and smells like a dream.
Nero Jewellery
These ladybird earrings are adorable (Picture: Nero)
Nero Jewellery offers pieces that are crafted from gold vermeil and sterling silver, ensuring you have hypoallergenic and tarnish-free pieces.
You’ll be a hit over christmas if you slip any of these gorgeous jewellery pieces into anyone’s stocking. The dainty lady bug studs are our pick.
Buy for £40 from Nero Jewellery
Kem Beauty
Get a bundle for your best pal (Picture: Kem Beauty)
From skincare to make up and eyelash extensions, Kem Beauty does it all and they do it well.
The Kem Beauty bundles are a great place to start.
Vitae London
Time to get a new watch? (Picture: Vitae London)
Vitae London was born out of our desire to produce stunning watches like those of old, but at prices that don’t break the bank.
Based in London, they combine beautiful, minimalist watch design with maximal social justice.
Awele
Pick up a tee (Picture: Awele)
Awele’s apparel are a study on duality from the lenses/experiences of the African diaspora from the western society.
From hats and bags to jumpers and sunglasses, Awele encompasses Nigerian pride.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
MORE : The best men’s fashion from Black-owned brands
MORE : How I Made It: ‘I didn’t see Black chefs making African food growing up’
MORE : The best women’s fashion from Black-owned brands
Black History Month
October marks Black History Month, which reflects on the achievements, cultures and contributions of Black people in the UK and across the globe, as well as educating others about the diverse history of those from African and Caribbean descent.
For more information about the events and celebrations that are taking place this year, visit the official Black History Month website.
October is Black History Month (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
Let’s get shopping.