The Caribbean islands is one of the most popular places in the world and a top choice for tourists. This article is centered on the beauty industry and highlights the 10 Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers you should be following. The Afro-Caribbean people are also one of the most popular people in the world, with several famous people originating from the archipelago. For example, Rihanna, Bob Marley, Wyclef Jean, Usain Bolt, Naomi Osaka, e.t.c.
Despite having a complex history with ties to slave trade and colonization, present day Afro-Caribbeans have risen above painful memories and have metamorphosed into amazingly talented individuals who always stand out in their field, locally and internationally. Be it in dance, music, movies, beauty industry, Afro-Caribbeans, are very good in their craft.
Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Tiktok and Social media in general is full of talented individuals, from lifestyle, health, beauty, sport, art and so much more. When it comes to beauty, social media is one of the best place you can find inspiration especially when it comes to makeup. A lot of Afro-Caribbean Beauty influencers have leveraged on social media to push their brand forward.
However, the kind of content on makeup inspiration can become overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the industry. But there are a few key individuals that stand out from the crowd with their skill and passion for makeup.
Beauty blogging and influencing is a whole new world of internet glitz and glam. With the ever involving trends in makeup and beauty, Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers are some of the most sought after, especially with the shift in beauty standards. Black/African beauty has taken over and melanin is no longer relegated.
Our list of Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers below are not ranked in any particular order. If you aren’t already following them, give them a follow to be continuously inspired by their creativity! To further ensure authentic information, not all of them have massive following because massive followership does not translate to perfection of skills.
List of 10 Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers to follow
If you are looking for the best beauty tips and tricks to enhance your beauty and makeup routine especially if you are not a professional in beauty and make up, we highly recommend that you look through the list below.
- Lulu Cordero
- Sherly Tavarez
- Shennel Patrick
- Waheeda Khan
- Rihanna
- Jessie Woo
- Annesha Adams
- Amanda Murray
- Anscherley Noel
- Keyshia Kaoir
10 Afro-Caribbean Beauty Influencers you should follow
These Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers are undoubtedly some the best in the game that can help you step up your make up and beauty game. The recommendations these influencers provide for your hair, skin, nails, and clothing are definitely commendable. They have all come up with such great beauty hacks that are going to leave you completely speechless and mesmerized. All you need to do, in order to learn from them, is just tune in to their content, and you will be showered with tones of valuable knowledge about the world of beauty.
1. Lulu Cordero
Lulu Cordero is the CEO of Bomba Curls. Although she wasn’t always proud of her natural hair, she is now one of the Afro-Caribbean influencers you should follow for inspiration on curly Afro hair. Like many Afro-Caribbeans like her, growing up she heard the word pajón when people referenced her hair, but when she stepped into womanhood, Lulu decided to let go of the relaxer and embrace her natural texture.
Being an Afro-Caribbean from the Dominican Republic, Lulu always knew the beauty benefits of natural ingredients, and that’s how she decided to formulate her line of curly-hair products featuring fundamental formulas such as cafecito, rosemary, and more. According to Lulu, “Our hair, skin, hips, etc., are a part of Black beauty. These are all gifts from our ancestors, and by celebrating said gifts, I honor them,”
She remembers watching Dorothy Dandridge in “Carmen Jones” as a pivotal moment in celebrating Black beauty and representation. According to her, “I’d never seen anything like it before. Before that, I’d only seen Latino media, which has a history of erasing us.” Seeing the iconic Black actor sport a sultry red lip and epitomize retro glam gave Lulu Cordero hope.
2. Sherly Tavarez
Also on the list of Afro-Caribbean influencers you should follow for your hair pride inspiration, is Sherly Tavarez. Sherly grew up hearing the phrase pelo malo, which means “bad hair.” And after years of chemically treating her gorgeous curls, the fashion stylist decided to design apparel to debunk the notion of “bad hair” once and for all.
This Dominican blogger created Hause of Curls and is now known for her shirts and accessories that read “Pelo Malo Where?” plus her feed features diverse women within the natural hair community.
“My first time appreciating the beauty of my Afro-Latinidad was when I watched the Netflix series ‘Celia,’” Tavarez says. “It taught me about my background, roots, what it was like to be an Afro-Latina back in the day, and how much we have had to fight to be seen.”
She adds: “Back when I was straightening my hair all of the time and honestly being a slave to my hair, I didn’t feel like my true self. I felt like I was celebrating a version of myself that other people told me to be. I didn’t even know what my natural hair looked like until I stopped applying heat and relaxing my hair. Now I celebrate by sharing my journey to natural hair with others and by building this community we have at Hause of Curls.” She continued.
3. Shennel Patrick
Shennel Patrick also known as Hey Nelli, is a Makeup artist and educator. She is a Brooklyn-based, Grenadian-born beauty expert, and one of the Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers you should be following.
She describes her work thus; “Shennel E – professionally + socially known as Nelli, is a Makeup Artist, Beauty Expert +Serial Creative based in NYC. My vision of Beauty extends far beyond the palette + physical makeup. As thought Leader of Purpose + Intent. I have experienced the magic of creating from a place of Spiritual Consciousness, and hope to inspire someone to tap in. As I grow Spiritually + Artistically, I intend to expand the way in which I connect with the Women I serve.”
Shennel/Nelli has grown her social media following by providing tons of free information on makeup and skincare to professionals and enthusiasts. From demos on effective skincare and makeup application, to information on black-owned beauty companies, her Instagram is an absolute treasure store that exudes #caribbeangirlmagic.
4. Waheeda Khan
Also on the list of the Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers you should follow, is Afro-Indo-Caribbean beauty influencer Waheeda Khan, who has curated a gorgeous Instagram feed and a growing Youtube channel.
Khan provides makeup inspiration, tutorials, and product reviews so her followers can make informed cosmetic purchases. In 2020, this budding influencer gained major attention from big names in the beauty industry. By Collaborating with makeup giant Ofra Cosmetics, she produced a limited edition palette.
5. Rihanna
We need not introduce badgal Riri, but there is no way we can discuss Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers and not include Ri on our list. The Singer, Mogul, Mother and National Hero of Barbados is one of the biggest Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers, if not the biggest. Rihanna has been a monumental beauty influencer for years; she is the founder of the groundbreaking beauty brand Fenty Beauty. Fenty beauty is a leading beauty brand in the black/melanin beauty industry.
6. Jessie Woo
Multi Talented Haitian-American actress, comedian, and singer Jessie Woo has been making a lot of people laugh with her blunt, female-empowering, and relatable jokes. The multi-talented beauty has also helped the Grammy’s raise funds for Corona Virus relief. For giving back, bringing awareness to her culture, she has inspired beauty in her own way and if you look through her Instagram feed, there is more than enough inspiration and black girl magic for you to tap in. She is one of the Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers you should follow.
7. Annesha Adams
Jamaican Influencer Annesha Adams is also on the list of Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers you should follo. This Jamaican-Canadian beauty shows us the culture and beauty of the gorgeous island of Jamaican on her Youtube channel. She is versatile, funny, tech savy, and also creates fun hair tutorials and tech videos.
Adams’ Youtube channel also offers a variety of useful information and scenic inspiration for travel enthusiasts.
8. Amanda Murray
For fashion and style tips, Amanda is one of the Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers to follow. This Trinidadian American is a personal stylist and branding consultant and has been a fresh new face in the American fashion industry.
Amanda is raising her voice in the fashion industry and making an impact by advocating equity, bringing #caribbeangirlmagic right to the doorsteps of some of the best known ateliers. One of her most poignant interviews was featured on the Council of Fashion Designers of America .
Amanda Murray believes “Equity in fashion means to me that brands will be more meaningful in their approach to black customers instead of pandering because of the Black buying power. Equity in fashion means, seeing black people at the helm in senior leadership positions. Equity in fashion means that one day I won’t have that internal dialogue of asking myself, ‘Is it because I’m black?’”
9. Anscherley Noel
Anscherley Noel is one of the Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers you should follow. People who are makeup enthusiasts could spend hours going through the Instagram account of Anscherley also known as Shirley Beats. The New York-based Haitian-American creative, is a budding makeup artist who is amassing a sizable following with her glamorous looks. Shirley Beats has also expanded into providing make up classes and workshops for her followers. A beauty star on the rise, be sure to hit follow to subscribe to her makeup looks.
10. Keyshia Coir
Jamaican entrepreneur Keyshia Ka’oir, is not unfamiliar to us. The beauty mogul behind Ka’oir Cosmetics and wife of hip-hop legend Gucci Mane, is not only one of the hardest working women in the beauty industry, but she does it so effortlessly, with a beautiful glam face and laid hairstyles. She is one of the Afro-Caribbean beauty influencers you should follow.
The above mentioned influencers are 10 of the Afro-Caribbean influencers you should follow for all your beauty inspiration needs. These talented creatives will always give you something to be inspired by for all your make up, beauty and skin care needs.
There nothing like seeing a good dose of Black excellence on your social feeds. And if your Instagram feed doesn’t have enough Black creators filling it, we hope our list changes that, because following dynamic and positive creators is one of the best things you can do for your mental health.