Nigerian women know the power of beauty. We understand the ritual, the rebellion, the expression, and the confidence that comes with makeup — and thankfully, we’re no longer depending solely on foreign brands to bring that magic to life.
In a booming beauty landscape that’s become one of the most exciting on the continent, homegrown Nigerian beauty brands are stepping up with products that understand the assignment. From foundations that match our undertones perfectly to highlighters that pop on melanin-rich skin, these brands aren’t just “made in Nigeria” — they’re made for us.
So, if your makeup bag still looks like a United Nations of foreign labels, it might be time to make room for these proudly Nigerian powerhouses that are changing the face of beauty — literally and figuratively.
Yanga Beauty
Founded by Jennifer Ukolo in 2014, Yanga Beauty started out as an e-tailer but has blossomed into one of the most recognisable beauty brands on the continent. The brand is about the energy of self-assured women who take pride in how they present themselves to the world.
From its best-selling brow products to bold lip colours and rich foundations, the brand has mastered the art of delivering high-quality, reliable products for the African market.
Beauty by AD
Established in 2016 by the glamorous Adeola Chizoba Adeyemi (a.k.a. Diiadem), Beauty by AD proves that style and substance coexist. A former video vixen and model, Diiadem didn’t just pivot into beauty — she dominated it.
Her brand is a celebration of womanhood in all its glossy, glowing, fully highlighted glory. Known for their pigmented shadows, silky lip glosses, and smooth brow pencils, the products are packaged like luxury and perform like pro kits.
But it’s not just the aesthetics — Beauty by AD is built on a foundation of quality and consistency. It’s no surprise that once you try the setting powder, you’re hooked for life.
Zikel Cosmetics
Mr Kelvin Ezike isn’t the typical face you’d expect behind a cosmetic brand, but Zikel Cosmetics is anything but typical. It’s bold, inclusive, and refreshingly innovative.
Zikel isn’t just about looking good — it’s about feeling seen. The brand celebrates diversity in a way that feels genuine, offering a wide range of foundation shades, eye palettes that flatter every skin tone, and lipsticks that scream “main character energy.”
Nuban Beauty
When a medical laboratory scientist gets into makeup, you know the formulas are going to be on point. Founded by Stella Ndekile in partnership with celebrity MUA Jane Ogu, Nuban Beauty delivers both performance and precision.
The brand launched officially in 2017 and has since built a loyal fanbase that swears by their award-worthy foundations and professional makeup tools. “You cannot achieve good makeup without good tools,” says Francois Nars — and Nuban clearly agrees. Their brushes, beauty sponges, and setting sprays rival any global brand.
Dabota Cosmetics
Former beauty queen turned entrepreneur Dabota Lawson launched Dabota Cosmetics in 2015 with one goal — to innovate. And innovate she did.
With a mix of makeup and skincare products that cater specifically to African skin, Dabota Cosmetics brings a new level of sophistication to the Nigerian beauty scene.
What makes Dabota special isn’t just the high-performance formulas — it’s the brand’s ability to blend modern aesthetics with a deep understanding of local beauty needs.
Zaron Cosmetics
Long before local brands became the rage, Zaron was laying the groundwork. Founded by Oke Madwesi in 2010 and operational in Nigeria since 2011, Zaron is arguably the biggest homegrown name in Nigerian beauty.
Zaron’s strength lies in its commitment to offering high-quality, affordable products tailored for people of colour — think foundations that match, powders that don’t oxidise, and lipsticks that show up without needing to be layered ten times.
