3 BLACK-OWNED BEAUTY BRANDS
The beauty industry has witnessed a transformative shift towards inclusivity and representation, with brands that embrace diversity and celebrate the natural beauty of melanin-rich skin. Ami Colé, Uoma Beauty, and Mented Cosmetics are three trailblazing brands leading this charge. Each one offers high-quality, clean beauty products crafted specifically to meet the needs of women of color, empowering them to embrace their unique beauty with confidence and authenticity.
AMI COLE
Ami Colé is redefining clean beauty with a focus on melanin-rich skin. Founded by Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye and inspired by her Senegalese roots and Harlem upbringing, the brand is all about enhancing natural beauty through high-quality, vegan, and cruelty-free formulas.
From skin tints and concealers to lip oils and mascaras, Ami Colé’s products are crafted to celebrate deeper skin tones, keeping it simple yet radiant. It’s beauty made effortless, letting your skin shine through.
You can find Ami Colé online or at Sephora, where it’s filling the much-needed gap for inclusive beauty. With a strong focus on representation, the brand resonates deeply with those who want products that feel personal and empowering.
Ami Colé doesn’t just sell makeup—it’s building a community. Through social media, the brand shares tips, tutorials, and real stories, making beauty feel like home for everyone.
At its core, Ami Colé stands out for honoring melanin-rich beauty with clean, thoughtful products that celebrate authenticity, confidence, and individuality.
UOMA BEAUTY
Sharon Chuter is a Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based entrepreneur and the founder of Uoma Beauty, a disruptive beauty brand that has gained significant attention for its commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and self-expression. Chuter founded Uoma Beauty in 2019 with a mission to create makeup products that reflect the full spectrum of skin tones, particularly catering to underserved and underrepresented communities in the beauty industry.
Before launching Uoma Beauty, Chuter had an extensive career in the beauty industry, working with global brands such as L'Oréal and Revlon. Her experiences in these companies, coupled with her personal frustration with the lack of inclusive beauty products, inspired her to create her own brand that would provide diverse and inclusive options for women of all shades.
Chuter is known for being vocal about the need for change in the beauty industry, advocating for diversity not only in product offerings but also in marketing and leadership roles. Her work has earned her numerous accolades and recognition, including being named to lists like Forbes' 30 Under 30 in the Retail & E-commerce category.
In addition to her entrepreneurial success, Sharon Chuter is also a passionate advocate for gender equality and self-love, and her efforts to challenge the traditional beauty standards continue to inspire change across the industry.
MENTED COSMETICS
Mented Cosmetics was founded in 2017 by KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson with the goal of addressing the lack of inclusive makeup options for women of color. Frustrated by the limited choices available, they created a brand that offers a wide range of products tailored to diverse skin tones. Mented’s product line includes foundations, lipsticks, blushes, highlighters, and more, all designed with rich pigments that complement a variety of undertones.
The brand is known for its commitment to inclusivity, offering products that work for everyone, from fair to deep skin tones. Mented Cosmetics also focuses on clean beauty, ensuring their products are cruelty-free, vegan, and made with high-quality ingredients. Available through their official website and retailers like Sephora and Target, Mented has become a go-to brand for those seeking makeup that celebrates diversity and empowers women of color to feel represented in the beauty industry.
Ami Colé, Uoma Beauty, and Mented Cosmetics have redefined the beauty landscape, making inclusivity and clean beauty the new standard. Through their commitment to offering diverse shades, empowering women of color, and promoting self-expression, these brands are not just selling products—they’re building communities and creating spaces where all beauty is celebrated. As the industry continues to evolve, these brands remain at the forefront of change, proving that beauty is for everyone, no matter the shade.