Editor’s Note: This story was originally posted in February of 2022, but was updated by Lavanya Narayanan for 2023.
We at Indy Maven wanted to highlight some notable local beauty and candle businesses owned by Black women so you can #ShopBlack, not only in February but all year long. From vegan candles to self-care beauty products, here are ten Indianapolis-area candle and beauty companies where you can directly support female Black business owners.
Make It Classy
MAKEITCLASSYDIY.COM, @MAKEITCLASSY_
If you are looking for some self-care beauty products that are free of parabens and artificial fragrances, Make It Classy has the goods for you. Founded and owned by Victoria Smith, the product range includes soaps, body scrubs, hair conditioners, and face masks that are bound to become instant favorites. Try out their best-seller, a Blissful Brooklyn hair conditioner made from moringa extract, that’s been featured in Glamour and Vanity Fair.
JAR’d Up
JARDUP-SCENTEDCANDLES.COM, @JARDUP_SCENTEDCANDLES
Jar’d Up Scented Candles is an Indianapolis, Indiana-based candle-making company offering handmade candles, wax melts, sugar scrubs, body butters, and soaps that use high-quality ingredients and scents that are long-lasting and unique such as mango papaya and pistachio latte.
Orire Organics
ORIREORGANICS.COM, @ORIREORGANICS
Upgrade your beauty care with vegan soap bars, hair growth oils, shower steamers, and more from Ope Ojo’s ORIRE Organics. They may have all the luxury goods, but the company also sells natural and organic products for babies and men, so there’s something for everyone. An added bonus: all of their products are natural, organic, vegan, preservative, and toxin-free.
The PINK Tub
THEPINKTUB.COM, @THEPINKTUB
Do you want to spritz up those relaxing, weekend baths? Founded by Victoria E. Thomas-Bodie, The PINK Tub offers body washes, moisturizers, bath bombs, and many more inviting products that will help you scrub up in style. A business born from the ground up after almost 3 decades in the corporate grind, Victoria’s been bringing bath fashion back for over a decade, and she’s got a host of products to show for it. And for you bath-lovers, she offers a variety of scrub-scriptions’ to get your bubbly fix.
Three Dope Souls
THREE-DOPE-SOULS.SQUARE.SITE @THREEDOPESOULS
Three Dope Souls has a mission of empowering women to love themselves through self-care. The company aims to accomplish that goal not only with beautiful candles and relaxing bath soaks but also by hosting a variety of events where women can work towards being their best selves. Their latest offering? A 1 hour guided meditation that can help you ease your troubles away and focus on your inner peace.
Se7ven Chakra Candles
Se7venchakracandles.STORE, @se7venchakracandles
Tiffany Spears’ Se7ven Chakra Candles are anything but basic. The company offers a variety of candles and incense to help align your mind and spirit so that your space is filled with positivity and good vibes. A two-year-old venture, Tiffany’s ushering in the new year with more offerings too: she’s venturing into sound healing while also preparing for an exciting new collaboration on the horizon.
ROJOrganics
ROJORGANICS.SQUARE.SITE, @ROJORGANICS
Body butter that smells good, feels good, and is healthy for your skin? ROJOrganics has the moisturizer you need. Founded in 2019 by Indianapolis native and registered nurse Jade J. Parker, the company specializes in “providing therapeutic space for individuals suffering from chronic illness and minority skin issues.” Catering to all skin types, ROJOrganics encourages customers to embrace their melanin-laden skin and show it off with pride and comfort.
Lesley Saligoe Botanicals
LESLEYSALIGOEBOTANICAL.COM, @LESLEYSALIGOEBOTANICALS
If you’re looking for self-care infused with spices, scents, and smells for every sensation, look no further than Lesley Saligoe Botanicals. Lesley, an herbalist and Reiki III practitioner herself, calls it her ‘most transformative incarnation,’ one that allowed her to escape the travesties of depression to cleanse, embrace positivity, and immerse herself in self-care. You can find everything, from hand-poured candles laced with sage, black pepper, and cardamom to cleansing wands, healing crystals, and a variety of hand and body washes.
SNARKY
MALINASIMONE.COM/SNARKY, @MALINASIMONE
Feeling a little ‘snarky’ today? Malina Simone Jeffers has just the thing you need: the ‘snarky’ candles. Her past experience with marketing at the Madame Walker Theater Center only added to her sass, so much so that she forayed into the world of hand-poured candles that are as sassy as they come. Arriving in scents like sugared citrus and coconut milk, they’ll fill the room with peace…with a punch, of course.
iDesign Home Decore
@IDESIGNHOMEDECOR
The pandemic brought a host of people many things, but for New York-born-and-bred Jessica Toutebon, the pandemic meant moving out to the Midwest with a single dream: selling non-toxic candles. Two years later, she sells her own line of wax melts, room sprays, and sample travel tin candles across Indianapolis, from the famous downtown City Market to small boutiques in the city. Grab a bottle of her ‘baby powder’ for that oh-so-fresh smell, or tuck into an intoxicating candle: they’re great stocking stuffers. Find her on Instagram at @idesignhomedecor.
Megan Lilly is the Editorial Intern at Indy Maven and is currently shopping for these products for herself.
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