buzzfeed Press
Itching To Shop? These 21 Impulse Buys From Queer-Owned Businesses Are Totally Worth It
Images
BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More Because sometimes you need a little excuse to buy another candle or some eco-friendly holographic glitter. If you're looking to be extra supportive for Pride Month with your wallet, look no further. We gathered up some useful, yummy, or just plain fun products from queer-owned businesses. Cue to you wearing a dad hat, eco-friendly glitter, and colorful trunks to your local pride celebration. Byoma is a queer-owned beauty brand founded by Marc Elrick. Promising review: "Welp, this stuff is amazing. I tend to avoid anything trendy or that 'goes viral' due to my stubborn nature, but when I searched Amazon for a red-reducing toner, this one kept showing up, so I swallowed my pride. Social media did not betray us on this one, friends. I saw immediate results. My skin looked much calmer right after the first use, and it feels so smooth. The price is amazing, the bottle is fun, it has no scent (not necessarily a positive for me, but I know it's important to others), it feels good to put on, and looks good on the skin. I have a feeling that I will be repurchasing this toner, highly recommend." —Amazon Customer Compartés is a queer-owned business led by chocolatier Jonathan Grahm, who took over the brand as a teenager. I (Heather) have personally had these chocolates many times now and will never get over how incredibly delicious *and* gorgeous they are. Each one literally looks and tastes like a work of art. Don't sleep on these, my friends. They're handmade daily in small batches with fresh ingredients and have been in business since 1950!!! Promising review: "The chocolates are some of the best we've ever had — and everything is beautiful, from the packaging to the presentation to the truffles themselves. The shipping was on time, and the box stayed nice and cold. We'll definitely be ordering again for ourselves and as gifts!" —Charles Y. Get a box of 20 from Compartés for $59.95. Poplight is a woman-owned small biz founded by a couple (literally) of entrepreneurs, Rose and Caroline Matthes. They sell renter-friendly lights that are sleek and modern! Promising review: "I love this light! I’ve been on the hunt for a simple, elevated-looking bedside light for a long time, but wasn’t sure if a sconce was the right choice due to cost and my ABSOLUTE lack of electrical knowledge. My pop light has exactly the look I was going for and was SO easy to install (bonus for being renter-friendly too!). I hope there are more sizes and styles to come in the future, I’m just about ready to cover my entire apartment with these!" —Nicole Get it from Poplight (available in eight colors) or Amazon (available in four colors) for $99. JVN is a cruelty-free haircare line created by Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness. Promising reviews: "This stuff is awesome for my thin curly/wavy hair. Everything else I've used either makes it crunchy or greasy, but just a tiny bit of this keeps my hair frizz-free and the curls defined all day. It's not heavy, so it doesn't weigh down the little volume I have. I've recommended this to all my wavy-haired friends." —Erin W Boys Smells is a queer-owned and -operated fragrance house based in Los Angeles. Their fragrances aren't gendered but "genderful" and expansive — they're designed for every shifting identity, mood, and phase of life. In addition to candles, they also sell perfume, mists, diffusers, and more. Jenae: This is a very specific frame of reference, but I'll share it anyway: This candle smells exactly like the wood-stoked sauna at Bathhouse in NYC — a smell my partner and I are both *obsessed* with, to the point that we went hunting for a candle that replicated it. This woodsy, earthy aroma literally transports me back to that sauna every time I light it, and the serene scent is perfect for creating a calm, meditative moment. Despite the premium price tag, this is a candle I'll keep rebuying, and I don't say that about many candles that retail for $40+. Also, check out the rest of Boy Smells' collection for other options if you prefer floral or gourmand scents, for instance! Promising review: "This candle smells like a residual campfire surrounded by trees with a pipe in your hand in the BEST way. Very earthy/woodsy, moody packaging to match, and absolutely massive." —Payton Get it from Amazon or direct from Boy Smells for $44+ (available in two sizes). KimChi Chic Beauty is a queer- and Korean-owned business founded by Kim Chi! Promising review: "Hands-down the prettiest highlighter I have ever laid eyes on, it’s so soft and silky, it applies perfectly with fingers but also has no problem being used with a brush. Has pink hues to it, but I love that it makes it look that much cuter!" —Jaqueline Get it from KimChi Chic Beauty for $26 (available in two shades). Snail Star Card Club is a lesbian-owned small biz based in Portland, Oregon specializing in one-of-a-kind cards with big personality. To order a customized card — let the seller know your short message, tell them about the recipient, and any other info (like what colors to include) or special requests (like no dog-themed stickers) you might have. All cards arrive blank inside ready for your personal touch, so make sure to ship the card to yourself and not to the recipient. Karly: I had the opportunity to check these cards out during a recent trip to Portland — and they are so sparkly and SO gorgeous (I'm ordering another for my sister's bridal shower as we speak). Up until *very* recently, they were only available to buy in person or directly on the shop's Instagram — so when I saw the Etsy launch, I was deeply excited. The cards from Snail Star are so much more personal and way higher quality than anything you could get from the greeting card aisle in the supermarket. They make the recipient feel *so* special, and they make you look like the best gifter ever. Get it from Snail Star Card Club on Etsy for $15. Noto is a queer womxn-founded brand from Gloria Noto. The company's products are vegan, cruelty-free, and inclusive. Promising review: "This is my third bottle. I notice a huge difference in my skin when I don't use it (between bottles). I am a forever customer. The quality is incredible. I loooove the smell. It gives you a slight glow, as well. Very effective." —AmznLvr Letter G Collective is a queer-owned small business specializing in queer and feminist apparel. Promising review: "Great quality. The corduroy is super soft and it fits great on my small head. The embroidery is tidy, and I get plenty of compliments from folks who know its meaning!" —Etsy buyer Get it from Letter G Collective on Etsy for $31.50 (available in five colors). Bathorium is an LGBTQ+ small business that makes bath products to elevate your bathing ritual. Promising review: "This snooze bomb is locked and loaded for the ultimate in snooze. Soothing bubbles, incredible scent, and lavender haze will send you to la la land. I loved this experience." —Faye M. Note: the included beans are whole, so you'll need a grinder at home! This kit comes with the French press, a bag of Blissful Blend, and a magnet to explain *exactly* how to make the coffee each time. Couplet Coffee is a queer-owned Los Angeles-based coffee brand that originally started as a pop-up and now has its coffee in a bunch of local shops and grocery stores! Moth & Myth is an LGBTQ+-owned small business based in Portland, Oregon, that makes papercut moths and butterflies. Promising review: "Absolutely stunning artwork! Glad they are printed on both sides!" —Beverly "I genuinely got a little emotional when I opened the set. It’s so beautiful, high quality, and the presentation was otherworldly. Thank you!" —Raquel Get it from Moth & Myth on Etsy for $34. Snif is a queer-founded fragrance brand from founders Phil Riportella and Bryan Edwards, who set out to make the fragrance industry more inclusive. Promising review: "I absolutely love this set! I have been wearing it every day since I bought it and have gotten many compliments. If you want to smell just like a stack of warm, delicious pancakes, then this set is spot on! It lasts all day for me, and I have been telling everyone I meet about how wonderful this purchase was." —Ali This glorious bath mat is made by the floor covering brand Cold Picnic (also check out this Ugg-like bath mat, btw). The small biz that sells this, Coming Soon, is owned by Helena Barquet and Fabiana Faria, and if you find yourself in New York City, you must stop into their brick-and-mortar store. Everything is so delightfully curated and interesting! Get it from Coming Soon for $75 (available in each zodiac sign). Modica, founded by Eric and JD, is led by an award-winning mixologist with 15 years of experience. Each mixer is crafted from naturally sourced ingredients, enhancing any cocktail or mocktail. Promising review: "What a delicious mixer! As a nondrinker, I find that there is often a struggle to find a mixer that is both tasty and that holds up to tonic water or zero proof liquors. This mocktail mixer definitely does the job. For the amount of servings you receive in this bottle, I think the price is pretty good. It looks like you can definitely get more than 10 servings from the bottle. The color is rich as is the flavor. I have a wicked sweet tooth so this suits me just fine. If you don't prefer your drinks as sweet, just add more tonic water or liquor to the drink. A splash of color makes mocktails so fun and the color holds up well to other liquids added to the mocktail. I think it's beautiful." —Bella Get it from Amazon for $20.69+ (available in five flavors). Object Lover is a queer woman–owned small business based in Austin that makes colorful home decor. Promising review: "This is one of my favorite purchases from Etsy. The table is unique, well-crafted, and such a delight to look at. I had so much joy putting it together and will definitely enjoy seeing it every day. Thank you!" —Jenice Duong About-Face is a skincare-centric makeup brand founded and owned by bisexual icon Halsey. Wildfang is a queer-owned fashion brand that offers a curated selection of bold suiting, reimagined workwear, and statement staples, all in sizing XS–4X. If you're in the Portland, Oregon area, you can visit their brick-and-mortar store! Promising review: "100% love this shirt dress for its comfort and versatility. I can dress this up or keep it casual. Regardless, the item is a fashion statement. My personal favorite way to wear this is with a black leather belt, black boots and my black leather beret. I also envision a more summer farmers market look by wearing a caramel color leather belt, sandals of a similar earth tone and a flimsy like woven sun hat. This dress can do so much! Most importantly, Wildfang is one of those brands that make quality and stylish pieces while also having a meaning impact and mission <3" —Natalie Z. Get it from Wildfang for $108 (available in sizes XS–4X and four patterns). BioGlitz specializes in sustainable, environmentally friendly glitter that's made from eucalyptus cellulose, so it's compostable and biodegradable (unlike traditional plastic glitter). Check out their full collection of glitters if you're looking for specific colors! Get the holographic glitz shade from BioGlitz for $22+ (available in two packaging sizes and two three particle sizes: super chunky, standard size, or diamond dust). The deck comes from queer and trans artists Ashley Molesso and Chess Needham of Ash + Chess. Humankind is a gender-neutral swimwear and sportswear line founded by queer designer Haily Marzullo. They also have a ton of fun, colorful pieces that would be perfect for Pride celebrations! Promising review: "These are lightweight and comfortable swim trunks. They have some stretch to them and are not as rigid as other brands' swim shorts. They dry quickly as well, making them great for transition from the pool/beach and out and about." —Beth K. Get them from Humankind for $59.50 (available in sizes XS–XL and nine prints/colors). BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.