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Beauty Products That Rival High-End Brands

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Many of us are drawn to luxury brands with global recognition when it comes to makeup and skincare. They promise flawless finishes, long-lasting wear, and that touch of elegance we often associate with a higher price tag. But here’s the truth: great beauty doesn’t always have to cost a fortune.

In Nigeria today, some local and budget-friendly brands are creating products that not only stand shoulder to shoulder with international labels but in some cases, even outperform them. These homegrown alternatives are designed with African skin and climate in mind, making them an ideal choice for the modern Nigerian woman.

Here are a few standout products you’ll want to add to your beauty box: 

1. Zaron Healthy Glow FoundationBeauty

Comparable to: NARS All Day Luminous Foundation

Zaron’s foundation has quietly built a strong reputation in Nigeria’s beauty space, and for good reason. It offers full coverage without feeling heavy, delivers a matte but not flat finish, and controls shine like a pro which is essential for our humid weather. Many users say it rivals the performance of NARS, with the added benefit of being tailored for melanin-rich skin.

2. House of Tara Eyeshadow PalettesBeauty

Comparable to: Urban Decay Naked Palettes

House of Tara has been in the game for years, and their eyeshadow palettes remain a fan favorite. The colors are pigmented, easy to blend, and thoughtfully curated for melanin-rich skin. If you’re going for a soft everyday look or a night-out vibe, you’ll find a palette that fits.

3. Nubian Skin LipsticksBeauty

Comparable to: MAC Lipsticks

This brand has nailed the perfect lipstick formula. Creamy, vibrant, and long-lasting, Nubian Skin lipsticks come in shades that truly pop on deeper complexions. They don’t dry out your lips and are versatile enough for both casual days and glam nights. Think of MAC but this time, more affordable and made for you.

4. BM|Pro Loose PowderBeauty

Comparable to: Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder

If you’ve ever struggled with makeup sliding off your face halfway through the day, this is your fix. BM|Pro’s setting powder helps lock everything in without leaving a chalky residue. It controls oil beautifully and leaves your skin looking smooth and refined, just like its more expensive counterpart from Laura Mercier.

5. Yanga Beauty BrowLution Pencil

Comparable to: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

Finding a brow pencil that gives a natural, hair-like finish isn’t always easy. But Yanga Beauty nailed it with BrowLution. It’s precise, smudge-proof, and easy to use, even for brow beginners. It also comes in shades that actually match African hair colors, which is a win on its own.

6. Aesthetics Naturals Vitamin C SerumBeauty

Comparable to: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

This local gem is doing wonders for dull and uneven skin. Lightweight and packed with active ingredients, the Taos Vitamin C serum helps brighten your complexion and improve texture over time. It gives you the glow you want without the steep price tag that comes with popular international brands.

Nuban Beauty In My Skin FoundationBeauty

Comparable to: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Foundation

With an inclusive shade range and a finish that holds up in the heat, Nuban Beauty’s foundation has become a go-to for many Nigerian makeup artists and enthusiasts. It gives you that smooth, camera-ready look without feeling cakey. If you love the Fenty foundation but want a more affordable option, this one’s worth trying.

The idea that quality always comes with a high price is quickly becoming outdated. Nigerian brands are proving that excellence can be homegrown, accessible, and made with you in mind. Whether you’re refreshing your makeup bag or trying out skincare that actually works for your skin type, these products are a great place to start.

Have you tried any of these products before? Share your favorites or recommend your hidden gems in the comments!

Also Read: From Natural to Glam: 3 Makeup Tutorials for Beginners.

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Beauty

Meet Nigeria’s Miss World 2026 Representative, Tamunosoye Karibi-George

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Photo: Instagram/@soye_kg

Tamunosoye Karibi-George is a 26-year-old Nigerian beauty queen currently representing the country at the 75th Miss World festival in Vietnam, competing for the international title.

Karibi-George earned the national crown on June 6 at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, where she won the crown after competing against 19 other contestants under the theme “Pride, Power, and Purpose.”

Photo: Instagram/@soye_kg

Although she represented Bayelsa State in the national competition, Karibi-George is a native of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She is a communications professional who studied at Madonna University, Okija, and is an associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

She had already gained international pageant experience before winning the Miss World Nigeria crown in 2024.

A key part of her profile is her work with children with disabilities and special needs. Through her initiative, Beyond Labels, she advocates for inclusion, dignity and opportunities for children. The project aims to create spaces where children can develop their talents and pursue their ambitions.

Photo: Instagram/@soye_kg

Her advocacy has continued to promote the cause since winning the national title. In June, she met with the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, to discuss ways of expanding Beyond Labels and creating possible partnerships for the initiative.

Karibi-George arrived in Vietnam ahead of the 75th anniversary edition of the Miss World Festival, which runs from August 9 to September 5, 2026. The grand final is scheduled for September 5 in Nha Trang.

Photo: Instagram/@soye_kg

She takes over the Miss World Nigeria title from Joy Mojisola Raimi, who represented Nigeria at the previous edition, reaching the Top 20 and finishing among the Top Five contestants from Africa.

Ahead of her departure, Karibi-George described the trip as an opportunity to represent Nigeria’s culture and values while continuing to promote the Beyond Labels initiative.

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Beauty

Laetitia Ky Is Turning Natural Hair into Sculptural Art

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Photo: Instagram/@laetitiaky

Laetitia Ky has transformed natural hair into a unique art form. The artist uses her  hair to create sculptures exploring African identity, feminism and women’s experiences.

She was born in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in 1996, and  grew up surrounded by women who braided their hair. Ky learnt braids from a young age before entering in fashion. After high school, she gradually returned to wearing her natural hair and began experimenting with different styles.

Photo: Instagram/@laetitiaky

Ky’s work gained attention through social media al media, where she began sharing photographs of her sculptural hairstyles.  She has since turned her hair into objects, figures and other forms.

Ky uses her natural hair together with extensions, thread and wire to create her sculptures. Depending on the design, a piece takes 30 minutes to six hours. She then captures the finished work using a camera and tripod.

Photo: Instagram/@laetitiaky

Her inspiration is connected to African hair traditions. Ky has seen images of historical African hairstyles and was amazed by their complexity.

Read Also: Want Fuller, Thicker Hair? Peptides May Support Healthier Hair Growth

Moreover, her art talks about the complicated relationship many Black women have with their natural hair. Ky has described growing up in an environment where straight hair was a standard influenced by colonial ideas. She  eventually turned that experience into an exploration of natural hair, identity and self-acceptance.

Photo: Instagram/@laetitiaky

Ky has used her hair to address subjects including sexism, violence against women, politics and problems affecting women and girls.

Ky has collaborated with Marc Jacobs, creating hair sculptures for promotional images featuring the brand’s products.

Photo: Instagram/@laetitiaky

Ky works can be found in her book Love & Justice, which shows photographs of her hair sculptures. In one project, she worked with her younger sister Florencia, creating sculptural hairstyles that represented their close relationship and trust.

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Beauty

Gift Eno Ndah Finishes Third Runner-Up at Miss Supranational 2026

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Photo: Instagram/@gift_ndah

Nigeria’s Gift Eno Ndah finished as Third Runner-Up at the 2026 Miss Supranational pageant during the grand finale held on July 31 at the Strzelecki Park Amphitheater in Nowy Sacz, Poland. The result earned Nigeria a place in the competition’s Top 5 which featured contestants from more than 60 nations.

Photo: Instagram/@gift_ndah

The title went to Katrina Llegado of the Philippines, who succeeded Brazil’s Eduarda Braum as the new Miss Supranational. France’s Eve Gilles finished as First Runner-Up, while Brazil’s Lara Marina claimed the Second Runner-Up position. The Czech Republic’s Karolína Gorylová completed the Top 5 as Fourth Runner-Up.

Ndah arrived in Poland as Nigeria’s official representative after winning the national Miss Supranational title. In the weeks leading up to the finale, she took part in the pageant’s activities and earned a place in the Top 20 of the Influencer Challenge.

Photo: Instagram/@gift_ndah

Her finish has been welcomed by Nigerian pageant followers, who praised her consistency throughout the competition and celebrated another strong international outing for the country.

Before departing for Poland, she spoke about her determination to represent Nigeria with pride and to use the platform to promote her “Bloom Within” initiative, an advocacy focused on encouraging young women to develop confidence and pursue personal growth.

Photo: Instagram/@gift_ndah

Although she missed out on the title, Ndah leaves the competition with a Third Runner-Up finish. Her Third Runner-Up finish adds another notable result to Nigeria’s record at Miss Supranational and brings her international campaign to a close on a strong note.

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