Let’s face it: the magazine beauty world has remained pretty whitewashed for the last… well, forever. This leaves many Black mainstream magazine readers wondering where to turn for reviews and advice specific to our skin and hair care needs. Luckily, the past decade has ushered in a digital revolution led by independent Black bloggers and beauty influencers catering to the melanin market.

Looking for the hottest hairstyles, beauty trends and body positivity advocates to follow? Rather than spending hours trawling the ‘discover’ section, we have compiled a bespoke ‘who to follow’ list of the most inspiring black beauty influencers on Instagram that are empowering women of colour to embrace their natural assets.

Here’s 7 Badass women of colour to follow Right Now.

Jackie Aina

Instagram: @jackieaina (1.4 Million Followers)

Why you should follow her: Jackie Aina is known for giving out helpful makeup, fashion, and skincare tips via her often hilarious YouTube videos while also providing honest feedback to brands that are lacking in their product offerings for women of colour.

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why are you having relationship problems with someone you’re not in a relationship with🗣⁉️

A post shared by Jackie Aina (@jackieaina) on Nov 25, 2019 at 3:27pm PST

Patricia Bright

Instagram: @thepatriciabright (1.1 Million Followers)

Why You Should Follow Her :She’s quickly become a hugely influential fashion and beauty influencer and has fronted campaigns all about flipping self-doubt into self-worth. Oh, and she’s even written a book about it all.

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Baby….mumma is a cover girl…beyond excited to share my 2019 winter cover with @thearcadiaonline magazine. This is OUT NOW on news stands world wide! (Link in stories) we went so hard with this shoot and got so candid in conversations it was crazy, it’s so mad to see what’s possible to achieve but I feel so privileged and amazing to be out here doing it…even if I am hobbling to make it work!!! ~~~~~~~~ Ceative Direction: @jayxbest Editor: @monichatully Photographer: @sarahbrownphoto Stylist: @krishanparmar_ Hair: @abitofjaz Makeup: @mahinamakeup Video: @suzanmsx Location: @11cadogangardens

A post shared by PatriciaBright (@thepatriciabright) on Dec 6, 2019 at 8:29am PST

Nyma Tang

Instagram: @nymatang

Why you should follow her: Through a series on her YouTube channel called “The Darkest Shade,” Nyma Tang often tests out the darkest foundation and concealer shades made by a number of brands to see if they match her skin tone. In some cases, they don’t, and the series itself is an important reminder of how underrepresented women and men of darker skin tones are in the beauty industry.

Whitney White

Instagram: @naptural85

Why you should follow her: Whitney White is one of the OGs who popularized natural hair vlogging over the years, and even after nearly a decade of her subscribers tuning in for her 4a and 4b haircare tips, she still delivers quality content that’s always worth the watch.

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✨Throwback✨ Second day of school for the kids! 💃🏾🙌🏾 I don’t look, or FEEL like this right now 😂😭💯😫 So we’re just gonna use this photo here as a raincheck for the SLAYAGE I’ll be owing ya’ll later… #SchoolsBackInSession #PraiseTheLord #NeedsResuscitation ps. Check my stories to see how I REALLY feel…

A post shared by Whitney White (@naptural85) on Sep 5, 2019 at 7:27am PDT

Nellie Robert

Instagram: Nellie Robert

Why you should follow her: Nellie is here to give you the glam looks you’ve always wanted. Breaking them down and making the tutorial easy to follow, you’ll master the cut crease, perfect brows, and ombre lips in no time.

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My thanksgiving look using @juviasplace products❤️ I hope you all had an amazing time with your loved ones yesterday but now it’s time to shop and grab those unforgiving deals from @juviasplace 🔥 ••••• 💟 Primer: @lauramercier hydrating primer. . 🥳 Eyes: @juviasplace The tribe palette. . 🎉 Foundation: @juviasplace velvety matte foundation in shade Somalia 350. . 🥰 Concealer: @juviasplace concealer shade no. 16 and 2. . 💦 Setting powder: @juviasplace Sahara setting powder. . 💗 Blusher & Highlighter: @juviasplace Saharan blush palette. . 👅 Lips: @juviasplace x @fumidesaluvold lip gloss over a red lip. ••• @makeupforblackwomen @wakeupandmakeup @shimycatsmua @blackwomenmakeup @wakeup2slay @makeupgalss @bretmansvanity @maryhadalittleglam @wakeupandmakeup @hudabeauty @naijabestmua @allmodernmakeup @junky4makeup @peachyqueenblog @wakeup2slay @allure @makeupyfy @makeupforwomenofcolor #makeuplook #makeupdolls #makeupobssesed #wakeupandmakeup #makeupmafia #slave2beautyy #makeupfanatic1 #inssta_makeup #vegas_nay #makeupvideoss #makeupartistworldwide #shimycatsmua #makeuptutorialsx0x #maryhadalittleglam #makeupforbabies #fakeupfix #makeupforblackwomen #brian_champagne #hudabeauty #makeupforwomenofcolor #ad

A post shared by Nellie Robert (@vintynellie) on Nov 29, 2019 at 1:17pm PST

Shalom Blac

Instagram: Shalom Blac

Why you should follow: Shalom’s experience as burn survivor has shaped the narrative for her beauty outlook. Using makeup to transform her scars, she is very transparent and candid about the struggles many of us face about our insecurities and self-perceived “flaws.”

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Check out my quick foundation application routine on my stories using both the Filt'r Hydrating primer and the Pro Filt'r Mattifying primer because of my combo skin type and finishing off with the Pro Filt'r Hydrating Longwear Foundation all from @FentyBeauty, exclusively @sephora. #ad #SephoraSquad

A post shared by Shalom Blac (@shalomblac) on Nov 13, 2019 at 9:32am PST

MonicaStyle Muse

instagram: @monicastylemuse

Why You Should follow: It’s not everyday that you can get both a contour and a spanish lesson all in one, but tune into Monica’s tutorials and you’re sure to get both. This afro-latina beauty maven never disappoints.

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EXCUSE ME!!! Lashes really bring your look from 0 to 100 real quick! Shout out to @ienvybykiss for partnering up with your girl these are their new #ienvy3DMatteacollection and they are perfect for that everyday i woke up like this type of lash 😉 the lashes I’m wearing are the Matte 3D Lashes in 09 and they look so Natural! These babies come in 12 styles!! It doesn’t stop there @ienvybykiss will be giving away these lashes to 10 lucky winners! All you have to do is follow @ienvybykiss #ad

A post shared by Monicastylemuse (@monicastylemuse) on Nov 11, 2019 at 12:00pm PST