This foundation is extremely hydrating and lightweight and gives a generous amount of buildable coverage. But, their Facebook page had reviews from customers who tried to use the referral link, and their orders were canceled due to suspected fraud. Her roots are felt through the richness and vibrancy of every collection the brand drops. Situational Awareness: Black people, and in the case of beauty, specifically Black women and femmes, have been setting trends for ages. As a self-proclaimed lazy natural Ranay Daye was inspired to create Glow by Daye to give natural hair better quality products to meet our hair needs when it comes to deep conditioning more effectively, maintaining moisture, preserving a current hairstyle, or helping with styling. Formulated in a lab downstairs from the brands full-service spa in Brooklyn, the serums, cleansers, masks and more are a melanin dream. Find Your Favorite - Shop Our Best Sellers! Offers may be subject to change without notice. Tosca Hillman of GloGirl Cosmetics is hard to find on social media. In September, Kristina Jones of legal tech startup Court Buddy became the 14th African-American woman to raise $1 million. Keba Guilan is not only a skin and fragrance savior with her brand Butter by Keba, she is herself, a word. She opened LAMIK as a brick and mortar store in Houston, Texas with organic, vegan beauty products and never looked back. KJ Miller CEO & Co-Founder at Mented Cosmetics New York, New York, United States 1K followers 500+ connections Join to view profile Mented Cosmetics Harvard Business School Company. Mented. It is Black and women-owned. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Its great, she added. Its energizing to me as a founder to talk to other upcoming founders. Feedback on the Mented Cosmetics website was also overwhelmingly positive with very few reviews under 5/5 stars, though it should be noted that brands can filter reviews on their website. For us, we werent thinking about the politics or being woke when we made the decision to start our company. I have a very diverse group of investors who have backed MentedIts been extremely important for our growth.. Once youve decided on a shade (or two! Nafeesa Bilal, founded Crave Beauty with a desire to help women tackle their scalp and hair issues, especially those that shared her slow-growing hair experience. Lorraine R. Dowdy of Coloured Raine. Nolaskinsentials was created when I noticed my own skin issues not being catered to, says Nolaskinsentials founder Jane Ormon. ), the cost of this sample pack, $5 will be deducted from your foundation order. The Breakdown You Need To Know: Diversity and dollars go hand in hand as Miller led Mented Cosmetics, its name is short for pigmented, in securing over $9 million in venture funding, a notable feat for a Black female founder, as CultureBanx noted during its Igniting Cultural Capital session with UBS. Now, men everywhere are benefitting greatly from his decision. Creating makeup that is vegan, paraben-free, non-toxic and cruelty-free, has made them a trusted brand in the beauty space. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms. She lives by the motto: It is beautiful to be good. The products are potent and effective; you cant expect anything less from Ingleton MD. You can learn almost anything from YouTube if you just look. Operating Status Active. With a collection of products for eyes, lips, nails, and facethe duohit the market with Skin by Mented. By combining quality, pleasure, and affordability, Chlo created Mademoiselle Provence to transport consumers to Provences very heart with indulgent beauty products. An advocate for women of color and protecting that color, Katonya Breaux created Unsun to respond to the lack of clean sunscreen options for us. Build the routine that's right for you with curated kits designed to meet all your makeup routine needs. No fall out and they blend effortlessly. Meet The Founders Behind 75 Black-Owned Skin Care And Cosmetics Brands When Black Opal announced that the 25-year-old global beauty brand had been acquired by Desiree Rogers and Cheryl Mayberry McKissack last fall, Black people rejoiced. When you see a Danessa Myricks glow you know it. When setting out to raise money Miller quickly realized how she was going to differentiate her product. We were just thinking about our disappointment in that industry and what were going to do to solve a real problem. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. shop now Overview of Mented Cosmetics In 2017, Mented Cosmetics owners KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson founded the brand and launched their first product in NYC when the two realized there was a lack of makeup for darker skin tones. This is a great Mented Cosmetics green undertone foundation for people with olive skin tones. When KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson came up with the idea to build a beauty brand for women of color two years ago out of their frustration with the choices of beauty products for black women, they didnt dream thatMented Cosmetics would become one of the go-to beauty brands in the market. So overcoming that fear and making the jump with Amanda was by far the biggest win for me. In 2017, Mented Cosmetics owners KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson founded the brand and launched their first product in NYC when the two realized there was a lack of makeup for darker skin tones. When Quallis quit his cushy corporate job to follow his passion to make people feel their best, he took a huge leap of faith. The duo, both 31, had been bootstrapping Mented, which is short for 'pigmented'. Now it, and her products, are go-tos for women all over. Email us at Acceleratewithgoogle@google.com. However, ESSENCE will continue to promote Black-owned beauty brands and entrepreneurs creating quality products year-round, including our monthly Launch List. After taking a look around the web, many customers have left glowing reviews for Mented Cosmetics about many of the products they offer. Beauty Bakerie founder and CEO Cashmere Nicole (left) has been an entrepreneur since she was a child. This product retails for $25. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our KJ: We literally learned how to make lipstick via YouTube. Desiree Verdejo has been on the lips of every beauty editor since launching her brand Hyper last fall. Would love your thoughts, please comment. The goal: less products, more efficacy. But Mented founders Amanda E. Johnson and KJ Miller understood just how hard it truly was until they launched their brand, made for women for color. At first, we were just looking for feedback but then they started making content and helping us build early demand well before we launched. Amanda Johnson and KJ Miller, cofounders of Mented Cosmetics. The brand vehemently supports their community and women of all diversities by providing them with makeup that does the job and doesnt break the bank. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Beauty with no boundaries? KJ: When we had the idea for Mented, we both said, we should not be afterthoughts in the world of beauty. Their brand is part of those conversations as much as their voices are. Simply stated this translates to Black dollars accounting for about 86% of the market, something that hasnt gone unnoticed by savvy investors. All lipsticks are vegan, paraben free, non toxic and cruelty free. This subscription box houses many items that can encompass your daily makeup routine for an attainable price. Start here. While modeling in South Africa she became intrigued by the artistry surrounding beauty and fashion, and Stay Golden Cosmetics was born. The forty-something will make you do a double take. SPOTLIGHT: Lili Gil Valletta on building networks and asking for funding. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Select the newsletters you'd like to receive: By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our. Andres Roban, President and CEO of Ounce of Nature, is a walking advertisement for his products. Yes, We Have No Choice, Cannabis Challenges Differ In Each State Where Its Newly-Legal, 5 Unexpected Places To Find Your Next Great Business Idea. By Shannon Hawkins, Staff Writer | Digital Business, Ask friends and family for initial capital, Hit the digital pavement and reach out via Linkedin, Source capital from Angel investors in your city. Women of Power Summit This Mented Cosmetics review thinks that the brand is worth the buy. Her products are kind to both consumers and the environment. Merced S. Boyce, founder of BLAC minerals longed for inclusive, toxic free makeup products. BE 100s What started as a project that the women pursued on the weekend is now a popular beauty brand that celebrates individuals of all hues with its inclusive shade range. 2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. But the ingredients were often questionable. COTA, named after her brother, is dedicated to providing the ideal skincare program for all skin types. She awoke one morning to find a substantial amount of hair on her pillow. Since its launch in January 2017 Mented has achieved rapid growth by helping women feel seen and empowered with their inclusive shade range. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Explore our full collection of makeup products. With a formal background in branding, she decided to put her skill set to use and launch her own natural brand. The Sunkissed Bronzer collection makes you look like you just came back from a long vacation in Italy, where this product happens to be made. In 2016, Shontay Lundy launched Black Girl Sunscreen, equipped with the knowledge that our melanin needs to be protected from the sun just like everyone elses. They catered to the Black community's beauty needs when no one else would. And thats what we decided to create. The mission behind the brand "has always been to spread . Vitamin C also helps brighten and freshen up your skins overall appearance. Retail companies like Mented Cosmetics, a multi-million dollar beauty brand celebrating women of all hues, helmed by CEO and co-founder KJ Miller, have risen to the occasion. I felt like there was an absolute need to bring products to women of color that actually worked and didnt oxidize or change, he explains. KJ Miller - Co-Founder & CEO @ Mented Cosmetics - Crunchbase Thats why she needs to set boundaries, create a hard 4:30 PM stop for the day and be intentional about spending time with her family. We believe that daily use of key products with quality ingredients can help you achieve a glowing complexion year-round, says the good doc. Long-Lasting, Highly Pigmented, and Easy to Apply - Color Intense Eyeshadow Sticks! The Pencil Brush is normally used for applying eyeshadow in small strokes, adding highlights to your nose or brow bone, or blending eyeliner. Meet KJ Miller, Co-Founder and CEO, Mented Cosmetics, Philadelphia, 35 In 2017, KJ Miller and her graduate school classmate Amanda E. Johnson created Mented Cosmetics. This Foundation Brush costs a wee $15. This Mented Cosmetics review found that the brand is loved by influencers like Jackie Aina, and has been featured by notable media sources such as People, Essence, Allure, Popsugar, and Bustle. Miller admits that she doesnt like being alone. This bronzer is made with Vitamin A and E which creates a pigmented, bendable, and skn-friendly bronzer that comes in Beach Bum, Vacay, Yacht Life, and Out of Office colors. Editors Note: There are countless Black-owned beauty brands and we regret that we could not include them all, and their founders, in this list. We caught up with them to hear how they built their business; they also participated in a panel discussion at New Yorks YouTube Space on December 14. Meet KJ Miller, Co-Founder and CEO, Mented Cosmetics, Philadelphia, 35. If you are looking for your perfect shade, you can use the Mented Cosmetics Shade Finder or Shade Comparison Guide found on their website. The Skin by Mented Duo retails for $40. Post business school, I ran the digital arm of Barneys NY for several years. Everyone is part of her tribe as she rewrites the rules of inclusivity. From our original nude lipsticks to our Skin by Mented foundation, each of our products is perfectly pigMented to complement your skin tone. This Mented Cosmetics review hates to share the unfortunate truth: the brand does not currently ship to Canada. The Skin by Mented Duo features the brands foundation stick and brush. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. This Mented Cosmetics review will now focus on the brands bestselling makeup products, tools, and kits to give you all the information you will need to decide if the products are worth adding to your cart. Miller likes to play around with her beauty looks during her off time. Prior to founding Mented, KJ spent most of her career working in retail, with a two-year hiatus to attend Harvard Business School. Kristen Elise Brown of Gold Label Cosmetics. Negative comments about Mented Cosmetics proved difficult to find on all platforms. We created Mented Cosmetics because we believe everyone should be able to find themselves in the world of beauty, no matter your skin tone. Amanda Johnson: What we truly believed was missing in beauty, was a diverse set of voices at the table. Her feminine care brand carries everything from gentle cleansers to bump serum and vagina facial masks. Both have been a big part of her journey of having her cake and eating it too. With shea butter as a go-to in her household, she turned to it when she was moved to start her own all natural skincare and wellness brand. All the colors are perfect for [women of colour] and can be used as blush or even highlighter.. While her fun array of products are superior and need no selling, her open-book personality and vibrant spirit make you want to be a part of the Crayon Cutie community. SPOTLIGHT: Supermodel Veronica Webb shares how she built her first online business. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Start with our shade finder to find your perfect match and begin building your collection today! The Mented Cosmetics Mini Brush Trio is perfect for the on-the-go and costs just $10. Black owned and founded, Mented wants women of all complexions to enjoy their beauty experience. Brooklyn-born Lorraine R. Dowdy infuses her Caribbean roots into her makeup brand Coloured Raine. Last Funding Type Series A. Mented Cosmetics founders Amanda E. Johnson and KJ Miller (Photo provided by Mented Cosmetics) Mented Cosmetics changed the beauty industry for the better when it was founded in 2017..