June 3, 2021: Nearly one year after Brother Vellies founder Aurora James took to Instagram to ask major retailers to commit to stocking 15 percent of their products from Black-owned businesses to allow representation, diversity, and inclusion in stores to be representative of American racial demographics, Ulta Beauty is the most recent retailer to make the pledge.

“We could not be more excited that Ulta Beauty is the latest retailer to partner with us to create more diverse and equitable workplaces,” said James said in a statement. “This announcement is huge—and our partnership will have a monumental impact for Black businesses within the beauty industry. As we approach our one-year anniversary, we look forward to building on our momentum, expanding our partnerships and continuing to create opportunities for Black business owners.”

It’s about time: Signers of the 15 Percent Pledge include Macy’s, Crate & Barrel, Gap, and Sephora. Likewise, it aligns easily with Ulta’s other diversity and inclusion initiatives that have been implemented in 2021. In February, the brand announced that actress and beauty entrepreneur Tracee Ellis Ross would serve as its new Diversity and Inclusion Advisor.

Additionally, they implemented new marketing, merchandising, store experience, and employee training, plus quarterly in-store inclusivity and unconscious bias education for store associates. Ulta also promised to double the number of Black-owned brands in its assortment by the end of the year.

Between the 15 Percent Pledge and Pull Up For Change, it’s more important than ever that we hold brands and retailers accountable for being diverse and inclusive. It’s not enough to make a donation or make a non-white person an ambassador or face of your brand. Now, more than ever, brands are being held to task to make sure their executive teams, the staff, the laboratories—everyone—are aware of their blind spots and making an effort to move past them.

Ahead, shop some of GRAZIA’s favorite products from Black-owned brands available at Ulta Beauty.

BLACK GIRL SUNSCREEN MOISTURIZING SUNSCREEN LOTION SPF 30, $16 VIA ULTA BEAUTY. SHOP NOW
BEAUTY BAKERIE ORGANIC BLENDING EGGS, $18 VIA ULTA BEAUTY. SHOP NOW
BRIOGEO DON’T DESPAIR, REPAIR! DEEP CONDITIONING HAIR MASK, $36 VIA ULTA BEAUTY. SHOP NOW
SKIN BY MENTED FOUNDATION, $30 VIA ULTA BEAUTY. SHOP NOW
UOMA BEAUTY BLACK MAGIC COMING 2 AMERICA: ROYAL HEIR-ITAGE COLOR PALETTE, $40 VIA ULTA BEAUTY. SHOP NOW
PATTERN STYLING CREAM, $25 VIA ULTA BEAUTY. SHOP NOW
JUVIA’S PLACE BRONZED DUO, $18 VIA ULTA BEAUTY. SHOP NOW

All products featured on GRAZIA are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Grazia may earn an affiliate commission.