Where Do Black Women in the Phoenix Area Find Their Cosmetics?

Note: Mr. PhxSoul.com doesn't usually post "Letters to the Editor," but since I am not an expert on the subject of black cosmetics products in Phoenix, I wanted to reach out to PhxSoul.com readers to see if you could share your advice. The letter featured below was written by a new resident in the Phoenix area.

Hello,
I recently moved from Seattle by way of LA to the Phoenix area. I was able to find your site and was really happy to see someone put together information for black people regarding culture, music and other events. I am very surprised about the lack options we as women of color have in Phoenix in regards to haircare stores and cosmetics. I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington for God's sake and we had plenty of stores to choose from to by haircare products and make up specifically for black women. Since I was in my teens I was able to go into Rite Aid in downtown Seattle and buy Black Radiance cosmetics. I then switched to Black Opal and was able to buy their products in Seattle as well. I moved to LA for 3 months last year and the only places I could find any Black Opal products were in the "black neighborhoods." When I came to Phoenix, I could not find one store that sold Black Opal. So I e-mailed Black Opal and they stated that the stores they do business with concluded that based on demographics there wasn't a need for Black Opal. These stores were CVS, Walgreen's, Walmart, etc. They informed me that I and other black women should contact the corporate headquarters of these stores. I am just wondering if black women here in Phoenix also see a need for our products to be sold in these stores. I see you had information on black salons, but I wondered if it were possible to ask other women who visit your site if there is any other place that sells cosmetics for women of color. I appreciate your time.

Sincerely,
 
La Summer Brown

• Don't forget to visit the PhxSoul.com Hair Page and the Local Business Directory for more information about businesses who specialize in African American products and services!

Comments

[Melissa]

I was looking for a barber shop when I came across your post. There is a beauty supply store at 67th St. and Thomas that has black hair care products. I'm not sure about what type of cosmetics they carry as I am a white woman with bi-racial children. I had a hard time finding hair care products for my children when we moved here from Virginia, where there are entire sections of Wal-Mart, Walgreen's, CVS etc. for such products. I was able to find a vast selection of hair products at this store so maybe if you're in the area you could check it out. Now if anyone knows of an African American Barber shop near the Surprise area... I would greatly appreciate it. We currently drive all the way to Avondale to The League Barber Shop. It's a great shop but quite far. I would love to find something closer to us.

[carolyn]

my most diffcult task was finding a black hair stylist here in phoenix arizona, i finally hooked up with an awesome hair stylist who takes care of your hair.

[Val]

I've found all kind of hair products here and a MAC store over in Biltomore. I'm happy!!! There are options here even @ Walgreens & Walmart

[Janice]

I get my Queen Latifah makeup at the Walgreens on 40th Street and Southern. Walgreens also has some of the hair products I use. Sally's beauty supply has black hair products. There are multiple locations in the valley, I frequently go to the one on 24th Street and Baseline. I hope this helps.

[James and Zonda Jackson]

I am a business owner and distribute a cosmetic line that involves customs foundations and such to fit each ladies individual needs. We literally compare our makeup to Mac and Bobbi Brown. The name of the line is called Motives and can be found at www.shopjzjackson.com. We are willing to come to your home and arrange a makeup party so you can sample the product. Feel free to contact myself or my wife at jzjackson5@msn.com.

[Danah Flanagan]

It is definitely a challenge to find the products we need geared for our skin. I too had difficulty and what I ended up doing was joining Mary Kay cosmetics after I was very pleased with their line of skin care and cosmetics for women of color- which they did not use to have. I have finally found 1 shade of foundation that works for me without making me look ashy, yellow or red. If anyone wants to sample skin care and color from Mary Kay, feel free to contact me.

[Salom]

I am new also, but I found cosmetics and products for my natural hair at united beauty supply in glendale. I started out wearing braids, but they charge twice as much for hair as the city I am from. There is also a united beauty supply on 27th and camelback. This may help someone else if you are having better luck now, Lord knows I had to find things the hard way.

[Tamika]

You can easily find cosmetics for black women at any of the major department stores. Sephora (at both Chandler and Scottsdale Fashion Square Malls) carries several lines that cater to black women including Make Up for Ever, Clinique, Vincent Longo) and the MAC counter is your friend. Several locations throughout the Valley.

[Ramona]

Hi!

I too am disappointed by the lack of options black women in Phoenix have for cosmetics and hair care. I do shop at Mid K Beauty Supply on Southern/16th Street in South Phx. It is in the Safeway shopping plaza. They carry a pretty good inventory of hair care products, but lacking quite a bit in terms of skincare and cosmetics. They do carry Black Opal skincare products, but not the makeup. I will take up the suggestion to contact the corporate offices to request that they carry cosmetics for women of color (i.e. Black Radiance, Black Opal). Hope this info helps.

Ramona Hamilton