In 2021, after noticing the continued lack of inclusivity in beauty, Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye decided to do something about it. With experience at brands like L’Oréal and Glossier, she launched Ami Colé, a clean beauty brand inspired by her Senegalese roots and Harlem upbringing, made specifically for melanin-rich skin.
Backed by over $1 million in venture funding, Ami Colé hit Sephora shelves in more than 600 stores, earned over 80 awards, and became a favorite of celebrities and beauty lovers alike. From the viral Lip Oil to its purpose-driven mission, the brand quickly became a force.
Last week, Diarrha announced that Ami Colé will officially close in September. “This moment is bittersweet. You’ve witnessed me start from a sketch in my Brooklyn apartment to the shelves of every Sephora in North America in 4 years. Thank you for everything you’ve taught me about living your dreams out loud.”
Ami Colé was never just about selling beauty, it was about making space. Space for melanin-rich skin to be seen, centered, and celebrated. It was proof that we’ve always belonged in beauty, and deserved products that saw us fully.q
Diarrha, thank you for dreaming big and building boldly. You didn’t just answer a need, you sparked a movement. And even as this chapter ends, what you created will continue to inspire what comes next.
Cover photo: Ami Colé Is Closing, but Its Impact on Beauty and Representation Lives On / Photo Credit: Vanessa Lynn