In 2021, after observing that the beauty industry still struggled with genuine inclusivity despite years of public pressure, Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye decided it was time to create real change. Drawing on her professional experience at major brands like L’Oréal and Glossier—where she gained firsthand insight into how often melanin-rich consumers were overlooked—she launched Ami Colé, a clean beauty line inspired by her Senegalese heritage and her Harlem upbringing. According to coverage in leading beauty and business outlets (Allure, The New York Times), N’Diaye-Mbaye designed the brand to serve those with deeper skin tones who had long been underserved in mainstream cosmetics.

From its earliest days, Ami Colé captured attention. Supported by more than $1 million in venture funding and backed by investors committed to diversifying the beauty landscape, the brand quickly achieved what many startups only dream of. It landed in over 600 Sephora stores across North America, earned more than 80 industry awards, and became a favorite among celebrities, makeup artists, and everyday consumers seeking clean formulas that actually worked for deeper complexions. Its now-iconic Lip Oil, which went viral repeatedly on social media, helped propel the brand into national conversation (as highlighted in Vogue and Business Insider reporting).

Last week, Diarrha shared an emotional update with her community: Ami Colé will officially close in September. Her announcement, posted on social media, resonated widely. “This moment is bittersweet,” she wrote. “You’ve witnessed me start from a sketch in my Brooklyn apartment to the shelves of every Sephora in North America in four years. Thank you for everything you’ve taught me about living your dreams out loud.” Her message reflected both gratitude and the difficult realities of running an independent beauty company—topics frequently discussed in business coverage of emerging brands (Forbes, The Wall Street Journal).

Yet, Ami Colé was always more than just another beauty line. It represented space-making—space for melanin-rich skin to be visible, centered, and celebrated without compromise. Industry commentators often pointed out that the brand’s existence challenged long-standing assumptions about what “mainstream beauty” looks like and proved that Black consumers deserved products designed with them in mind from the start, not as an afterthought (Essence, Refinery29). Ami Colé stood as a reminder that marginalized communities have always belonged in beauty, even when the industry failed to reflect that truth.

Diarrha, thank you for dreaming big and building boldly. You didn’t just meet a need—you ignited a movement. And even as this chapter comes to a close, the path you created will continue to influence the next generation of founders, innovators, and beauty lovers who believe in a world where everyone is seen.