End of an Era: Esteemed Melanin-Focused Beauty Brand Ami Colé Shuts Down
In a heartrending revelation that has rocked the beauty industry, Ami Colé — the acclaimed melanin-centric clean beauty brand — has officially announced its shutdown after a four-year run. The brand’s founder, Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye, broke the news in a poignant essay featured in New York Magazine’s The Cut on October 9, 2026.
Established in 2021 to cater to women with deeper skin tones, Ami Colé swiftly gained recognition, securing a spot on the shelves of over 600 Sephora stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. The brand also received support from L’Oréal’s BOLD venture capital arm and raised over $3 million from investors such as Greycroft and True Beauty Ventures. Ami Colé, known for its skin tints and lip oils, witnessed a 75% year-on-year revenue growth at the peak of its success.
Despite these achievements, N’Diaye-Mbaye pointed out the overwhelming systemic obstacles Black founders encounter when seeking venture capital and the daunting financial strain of vying with corporate beauty behemoths for retail shelf space. “After considering all possibilities, it was evident that persisting in the current market was not viable,” she penned. The shutdown has ignited a crucial industry dialogue about structural disparities in beauty funding and retail backing for Black-owned brands. Cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson termed the news “devastating,” while colleagues throughout the industry expressed unity and advocated for enduring systemic reform.
Source: Curly Nikki – October 9, 2026