Ami Colé

Ami Colé
Founded2021 in Harlem, U.S.
FounderDiarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye
ProductsCosmetics
Websiteamicole.com

Ami Colé is a cosmetics brand created by American businesswoman Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye. The product line was developed for dark and deep skin tones and has been recommended by Vogue, Allure, Marie Claire, and others.[1][2][3]

History

The company's founder and chief executive Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye secured one million dollars in pre-seed funding from investors including Imaginary Ventures, Lindsay Peoples Wagner, and Hannah Bronfman.[4] She spent three years developing the products, which included collecting survey responses from 400 people to develop the tinted moisturizer.[5] Some products include baobab seed extract as an homage to her Senegalese heritage.[6]

The line launched in June 2021 with a tinted moisturizer, a lip oil, and a highlighter.[7] N'Diaye-Mbaye stated that the company uses "clean"[8] ingredients to provide alternatives to mainstream beauty products developed for people of color, which have disproportionate levels of toxic chemicals.[9] The founder also focuses on enhancing skin luminosity to complement brown skin tones.[5] Ami Colé products are marketed as easy to use and providing high quality within a simple makeup routine.[7] Marketing materials typically include Black women with dark skin, as well as hijabis.[4]

Ami Colé began to retail at Sephora in December 2022.[10] In September 2024, L'Oréal invested an undisclosed amount into the brand through its venture capital arm.[11] Ami Colé also became available at Sephora locations in Canada.[11] At that time, the founder reported the brand had made approximately $3.5 million in sales.[11]

Founder

CEO Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye was born and raised in Harlem. She named the line after her mother,[7] who immigrated to the U.S. from Dakar, Senegal.[12] Her mother founded the Harlem-based salon Aminata African Hair Braiding in 1988.[12] One reason N'Diaye-Mbaye chose to create a cosmetics brand was because she struggled to find foundation in her skin tone when she began to experiment with makeup as a teenager.[4] The founder has worked in the cosmetics industry since 2013.[12] She worked in social media strategy for L'Oréal and as a product developer at Glossier.[8] N'Diaye-Mbaye resides in Harlem.[8]

Accolades

  • 2023 – Allure Best of Beauty Awards, Eye Makeup[3]

References

  1. ↑ Valenti, Lauren (2021-02-08). "13 Gentle Mascaras That Are Ideal for Sensitive, Easily Irritated Eyes". Vogue. Archived from the original on 2025-03-21. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
  2. ↑ Morinia, Aniyah Morinia (2025-03-20). "30 Beauty Favorites Filling the Extra Space in My Vanity". Marie Claire Magazine. Archived from the original on 2025-03-21. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
  3. 1 2 Schaffner, Liana (2022-09-13). "The Very Best Eye Makeup of 2023". Allure. Archived from the original on 2023-01-29. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
  4. 1 2 3 Etiesit Samuel, Ruth (2021-12-08). "Ami Colé Founder Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye Is Putting A-Beauty On The Map". HuffPost. Archived from the original on 2025-03-28. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  5. 1 2 Pridgett, Tamara (2021-08-11). "Ami Colé Is the New Clean Beauty Brand That Celebrates Melanin-Rich Skin". Well+Good. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
  6. ↑ Espy-Jones, India (2023-10-06). "Ami Colé's Latest Launch Embodies Joy". Essence. Archived from the original on 2025-06-11. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
  7. 1 2 3 Forbes, Jihan. "I Have Literally Been Waiting Years for Ami Colé to Launch". Allure. Archived from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 Mitchell, Amanda. "Ami Colé Is Making No-Makeup Makeup For Melanin-Rich Skin". Grazia Magazine. Archived from the original on 11 June 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  9. ↑ Stubbs, Shannon. "Ami Colé is a new Black-owned makeup brand developed for darker skin tones — we tried it and we were impressed with the entire lineup". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2025-06-11. Retrieved 2025-03-26.
  10. ↑ Trakoshis, Angela. "This Just In: Ami Colé Is Launching at Sephora This Month". Allure. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 Manso, James (2024-09-20). "EXCLUSIVE: Clean Makeup Line Ami Colé Secures L'Oréal Investment, Expands at Sephora". WWD. Archived from the original on 2025-03-28. Retrieved 2025-03-28.
  12. 1 2 3 Yeates, Jacqueline Lauren. "Ami Cole cosmetics' makes quality makeup for melanin-rich skin more inclusive and accessible". ABC News. Archived from the original on 11 June 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
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