Blue Water Girls: Glow Goes Global

Founder Stories · Brand Spotlight

Be honest: how many times has someone asked where you just got back from, all because of your glow? For the three founders of Blue Water Girls, that question came up after every trip. They turned it into a brand, and it just landed at Macy's.

“We are pioneering a new era of beauty that celebrates sunkissed skin.”
— Blue Water Girls

Meet Blue Water Girls, the Black-owned, woman-owned glow and body care brand from Brooklyn, and the two-step Private Island routine that's now live on Macy's.com.

Three friends, one podcast

Chelsea Pinky, Glynn Pogue and Sade Parham are Brooklyn natives. They first came together as the hosts of the podcast Black Girls Texting, a show they started to highlight the many sides of Black women's identities.

The three also share a serious case of wanderlust. Blue Water Girls grew out of their love of travel and the glow they get when the sun kisses their skin.

What's in a name

The name is a family one. It was inspired by a co-founder's mother, a proud Trinidadian affectionately called "Blue Water Girl" for her Caribbean heritage.

To the brand, a Blue Water Girl is "a passionate explorer with a constant desire to discover new destinations," someone who loves exploring the crystal-clear waters the world has to offer.

Changing the story on sun-kissed skin

The founders put it plainly on their site: "We love embracing the sun, yet historically, darker complexions have been stigmatized and portrayed as undesirable."

“We are shifting this outdated narrative and championing the gorgeous glow that comes from responsible sun exposure.”
— Blue Water Girls

Responsible is the key word. Every Blue Water Girls product is meant to be worn with a broad-spectrum SPF, and the formulas are TSA-friendly, so the ritual travels with you on long flights, beach days and city nights.

From AMP to Macy's

Blue Water Girls is an AMP Approved brand, and the Private Island duo is now live on Macy's.com, sold and shipped by AMP Beauty. Congratulations, ladies.

Your 2-step Private Island routine

Step 1: Glow

Private Island Glow Serum, 3.4 oz · $39.99

A multi-tasking serum that hydrates, gives an instant glow and helps you get a deeper, more even tan when used in the sun. Tyrosinol, a natural tan enhancer, works with castor oil, squalane and shea oil. Notes of sea salt, jojoba and tuberose make it feel like a getaway. Apply it after your SPF.

Step 2: Firm and soften

Private Island Body Oil, 3.4 oz · $34.99

The brand's "second baby" is a glow-boosting body oil with collagen peptides that firms, hydrates and soothes. Jojoba, sunflower and sweet almond oils calm irritation and help with ingrowns after shaving or waxing. It's rich yet fast-absorbing, with no greasy residue. Apply it to damp skin right after showering.

Pro tip: Layer the Body Oil over the Glow Serum for the ultimate sun-kissed, vacation-ready finish.

What customers are saying

“I am OBSESSED! My tan is even and gorgeous in half the time.”
— Nadiyah S., on the Private Island Glow

“This serum is EXACTLY who she says she is! My beach glow + post beach tan was 10/10.”
— Abs K., on the Private Island Glow

“I stumbled upon this brand at a conference and I absolutely love this body oil!”
— Michelle, on the Private Island Body Oil

Reviews shared on bluewatergirls.co, where the Private Island Glow holds a 5.0 rating across 20 reviews and the Body Oil a 5.0 across 4. 100% of reviewers recommend them.

Tried Blue Water Girls? Leave a review on the product page. We'd love to share your experience here.

Get the glow

Shop the Private Island duo at AMP, where every order over $40 ships free, or find it at Macy's. Always pair with a broad-spectrum SPF.

Shop Blue Water Girls at AMP →
Shop Blue Water Girls at Macy's →

Founder background and quotes from bluewatergirls.co and Texas Metro News. Product details from Blue Water Girls and AMP Beauty product pages.