If you love high-quality, inclusive, and ridiculously affordable makeup, you're probably already a huge fan of Essence. Known for its cruelty-free philosophy and playful approach, Essence makes it easy to experiment with new looks without breaking the bank.
For those who adore what Essence brings to the beauty counter but are looking to discover new favorites, you're in luck. Here are 17 similar brands that champion inclusive, high-quality, and budget-friendly beauty essentials.
Founded by Rihanna, Fenty Beauty completely changed the game with its "beauty for all" mission, launching with a now-legendary 40-shade foundation range. The brand is celebrated for high-performance makeup that suits every skin tone, from its inclusive foundations to its universally flattering glosses.
While Fenty sits at a higher price point than Essence (think $15-$50), it shares the same core belief that everyone deserves to be represented in the beauty space. If you love Essence's inclusive spirit but want to treat yourself to a more luxe, trend-setting formula, Fenty is the perfect upgrade.
Shop now at fentybeauty.com
Juvia's Place is famous for its hyper-pigmented eyeshadow palettes and bold makeup designed to celebrate deeper skin tones. Inspired by African cultures, the brand's packaging is as stunning as its color payoff. With most products priced between $12 and $30, it delivers incredible quality for its price.
While Essence has a playful, everyday vibe, Juvia’s Place is all about empowering bold artistic expression. If you're a fan of Essence's affordability but crave more intense pigments and statement-making palettes, Juvia’s Place is a must-try.
Shop now at juviasplace.com
With its delightful dessert-themed packaging, Beauty Bakerie serves up cruelty-free and vegan makeup that is almost too cute to use. The brand is known for its long-lasting, smudge-proof formulas, especially its famous Lip Whips, and offers inclusive foundation shades for a "sweet" finish. Prices generally fall in the $10 to $30 range.
Like Essence, Beauty Bakerie focuses on making beauty fun and accessible. However, it combines that playful spirit with a steadfast commitment to high-performance, vegan products. It’s perfect for anyone who loves whimsical branding without compromising on quality.
Shop now at beautybakerie.com
Created by the legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath, this brand is the definition of luxury. Known for its innovative textures and richly pigmented formulas, Pat McGrath Labs offers makeup for everyone who sees beauty as a high-art form. While it’s certainly a splurge ($25-$60+), the products are designed to perform flawlessly on all skin tones.
Unlike Essence’s drugstore-friendly pricing, Pat McGrath Labs is for the makeup connoisseur. However, it shares the core value of inclusivity at its heart, proving that high fashion and beauty can - and should - be for everyone.
Shop now at patmcgrath.com
Inspired by school supplies, The Crayon Case brings a sense of play and creativity back to makeup. With vibrant eyeshadow palettes like the "Box of Crayons" and inclusive foundation shades, this brand is all about empowering self-expression at an affordable price point (usually $10-$20). CEO Supa Cent built the brand on inclusivity and fun.
If you're drawn to Essence's fun-loving vibe, you'll love The Crayon Case's even greater emphasis on bold, bright, elementary school-inspired looks. It maintains the accessibility of Essence but encourages even more artistic freedom.
Shop now at thecrayoncase.com
Black Opal has been a trusted staple in the drugstore aisle for decades, specializing in high-quality makeup and skincare specifically designed for skin of color. With foundations, concealers, and powders ranging from just $5 to $15, the brand makes finding a perfect match both easy and affordable.
Like Essence, Black Opal delivers incredible value and performance at a budget-friendly price. It particularly shines for its deep understanding of undertones in darker complexions, making it a go-to for many who feel underserved by mainstream brands.
Shop now at blackopalbeauty.com
Mented Cosmetics began with a simple mission: to help every woman find her perfect nude lipstick. The brand has since expanded to foundations, eyeshadows, and more, all created to perfectly complement deeper skin tones. Products typically cost between $15 and $25.
While Essence offers a wide array of colors, Mented Cosmetics narrows its focus to creating the ultimate "nude" essentials for women of color. It shares Essence's goal of representation but takes a specialized, curated approach to everyday-glam.
Shop now at mentedcosmetics.com
When beauty powerhouse Patricia Bright collaborates with drugstore favorite NYX, you get magic. These collections are known for offering bold, trend-driven makeup at wallet-friendly prices of $8-$20. Think vibrant palettes and must-have essentials that celebrate individuality.
Both Essence and the NYX collabs create fun, affordable, and inclusive products that excite the beauty community. This particular partnership brings an influencer's curated touch and a focus on statement looks that empower fans to step outside their comfort zone.
Shop now at nyxcosmetics.com
A sister brand to Black Opal, Black Radiance offers high-quality makeup for women of color at an even more accessible price point - think $4 to $12. The brand is known for its pigmented lipsticks, complexion products, and contour palettes designed to shine on darker skin tones.
If Essence's prices are what you love most, Black Radiance takes affordability to the next level without sacrificing quality. It shares that same commitment to making beauty available to everyone, with a specialized focus on rich shades and formulas for Black women.
Shop now at blackradiancebeauty.com
KVD Beauty is your go-to for bold, high-performance vegan makeup. Famous for its tattoo-inspired liquid lipstick and long-lasting liner, the brand marries edgy aesthetics with exceptional quality. Their Good Apple foundation also made waves for its inclusive shade range and incredible coverage. Products range from $20 to $40.
KVD's vibe is darker and more alternative than Essence's bright and bubbly personality, but both share a passion for creating makeup that allows for self-expression. KVD is for the person who loves Essence's cruelty-free stance but wants intense pigments and rock-solid performance.
Shop now at kvdbeauty.com
Uoma Beauty is revolutionary, bold, and unapologetically inclusive. The brand launched its Say What?! Foundation in an incredible 51 shades, categorized by a unique Skin Kin color system. With stunning packaging and high-performance formulas, Uoma aims to rewrite the rules of beauty. Prices range from $18 to $30.
Uoma shares Essence's commitment to fun and inclusivity but adds a layer of Afro-heritage celebration and trend-forward artistry. It's a bit more expensive, but it delivers an empowering message along with beautiful products.
Shop now at uomabeauty.com
What started as a lipstick brand has expanded into a full-blown "Fast Face" system designed to simplify beauty. The Lip Bar is Black-owned, vegan, cruelty-free, and offers vibrant, easy-to-use products that look amazing on everyone. Priced from $8-$20, it’s all about maximum impact for minimal effort.
Just like Essence, The Lip Bar believes beauty shouldn't be complicated or expensive. It narrows its product lineup to the essentials, making it the perfect gateway for anyone looking for an inclusive, foolproof makeup routine.
Shop now at thelipbar.com
While known for bath bombs, Lush also has a vegan makeup line focused on sustainability and inclusivity. Their solid Slap Stick foundations and package-free product options are designed for a minimal-waste routine. With great shades and an eco-conscious ethos, items are typically priced around $10-$20.
If you're drawn to Essence's cruelty-free and often-vegan formulas, Lush takes that ethical commitment a step further with its handmade products and passion for the planet. It's inclusive beauty for the eco-warrior.
Shop now at lush.com
ColourPop is the internet's favorite beauty brand, famous for churning out trendy, high-quality makeup at impossibly low prices (often $5-$20). From their massive eyeshadow palettes in every color story imaginable to their cult-favorite Super Shock Shadows, they make trends instantly accessible. And yes, their shade ranges are impressively inclusive.
This brand perfectly mirrors Essence's ability to deliver fun, on-point products at jaw-dropping prices. While Essence is a drugstore staple, ColourPop lives online, constantly dropping new collections that feel fresh and exciting - it’s the fast-fashion of the beauty world.
Shop now at colourpop.com
A true powerhouse in the drugstore aisle, NYX delivers pro-level quality without the pro-level price tag. From the legendary Butter Gloss to the Epic Ink Liner, NYX creates holy-grail products that makeup artists and beginners both adore. The brand champions artistry and self-expression with a huge range of products and shades.
NYX is like Essence's slightly older, edgier sister. It shares the affordability and cruelty-free stance but offers a product range so vast it can feel almost pro-level. It’s perfect for building a versatile makeup kit on a budget.
Shop now at nyxcosmetics.com
Inspired by the style of Milan, this drugstore brand is all about affordable luxury. Milani is celebrated for its rich pigments and beautiful packaging that feels more expensive than it is (most products are $7-$20). Their Baked Blushes and Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation are iconic for a reason and come in an inclusive shade range.
Milani shares Essence's commitment to quality at a fair price but elevates the experience with more sophisticated formulas and packaging. It's the go-to for someone who wants their budget makeup to feel just a little more grown-up and luxe.
Shop now at milanicosmetics.com
"Eyes. Lips. Face." (E.L.F.) has completely dominated the affordable beauty space with its viral skincare-makeup hybrids. Almost everything is under $15, and the brand is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. They are masters of creating dupes for high-end products, like their legendary Power Grip Primer.
E.L.F. is a direct competitor to Essence in terms of price, ethos, and TikTok virality. The key difference is E.L.F.'s strong emphasis on skin-loving ingredients in its formulas, making it amazing for those who want both performance and skincare benefits on a tight budget.
Shop now at elfcosmetics.com
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