About Raynell Steward Supa Cent of The Crayon Case. All lipsticks are vegan, paraben-free, non-toxic and cruelty-free. 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. 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. By the time she was a teenager, she was more advanced in how to grow a business, she also had her daughter Jasmyn (right) around the same time. 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. Monique Little is a mother and wife with a hectic schedule, so she was in need of a way to style her hair quickly with no fuss. ABOUT She shares with ESSENCE.com why it is essential to spend time doing the things that make us whole. Wuzzam Supa isnt just a beauty brand owner who made $1 million in 90 minutes. Once youve decided on a shade (or two! Sign up for exclusive offers and updates on all things Mented. With a formal background in branding, she decided to put her skill set to use and launch her own natural brand. Their brand is part of those conversations as much as their voices are. Mented Cosmetics Founders Receive $1M In Capital Funding - NewsOne She teaches and holds office hours with students about their ventures and networks with other faculty. 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. 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. Mented Cosmetics Founder KJ Miller On Career Pivots - Refinery29 It does not store any personal data. Mented Cosmetics also offers a Beauty Influencer Program with a discount of 25% off on all orders. The Pencil Brush is normally used for applying eyeshadow in small strokes, adding highlights to your nose or brow bone, or blending eyeliner. Mented Cosmetics launched lipsticks first, but aims to become a fully-fledged beauty line. Britni Ricard learned how to form her own LLC in the local New Orleans library without any real money or even a laptop. KJ Miller: At Mented weve found whats important isnt necessarily the specific tools youre using, but your willingness to continue testing new strategies, channels, and tools on a regular basis. As a brand manager, what are some of the innovative tools you use to stay ahead of the competition? See the full leadership team at Craft. Frustrated that there werent better options for us, she decided to create them herself and launched Range Beauty. Mented Cosmetics changed the beauty industry for the better when it was founded in 2017. Today, she is visible to the world and using her platform popularity to create a beauty brand that gives everyone who wears it a confidence boost! ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc. Danessa Myricks of Danessa Myricks Beauty. Make her own. Mented is the culmination of years of its founders' experience. [In 2016] I started mixing and pouring, and fell in love with creating unique colors that radiate on every skin tone, she says. The Mented Cosmetics Mini Brush Trio contains 3 travel size brushes that will meet all your needs for a precise application of different products. Teaching in this capacity is a way Miller gives back. This investment will go towards an expanded product range, including eye palettes, as well as growing a team and doubling down on marketing. Its all about self-care and self love for Jacqs co-founder and CEO Barbara Jacques. To qualify for the Afterpay installment option, you must spend over $35. Mented | BBG Ventures Mented Cosmetics Inc now pushes the envelope with affordable, high-quality products. Created in 2017 by Co-Founders KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson, Mented exists to celebrate all hues and to make beauty truly, wonderfully inclusive. We thought long and hard about our product development roadmap and what would give us the initial momentum to launch with more products. Its because shes busy empowering women through diverse and inclusive beauty on a global scale. Mented: the highs, lows of a Black-owned, socially conscious company during a pandemic, Two Black Harvard grads have redefined nude by launching a makeup line for all complexions, Mented enters more wholesale doors, builds on mission-driven model. Women of Power Summit We refused to be one trick ponies. Miller likes to play around with her beauty looks during her off time. Select the newsletters you'd like to receive: By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our. Rachel James, founder of Pear Nova, found herself surrounded by artists, musicians, and a crew of brilliant Chicago scene stars who looked more like potential collaborators than employers when she made the decision to work for herself. When your favorite dermatologist launches a line of products made up of her coveted skin saving concoctions, your rejoice. She doesnt get a day off from sending out orders as her nail lacquer brand continues to rise in popularity. Mented Cosmetics Reviews: What Do Customers Think? A graduate of Howard University and Harvard Business School, she worked in finance, retail, consumer marketing, and digital experience before launching Mented with KJ Miller. Large range of vegan and cruelty-free products and shades to choose from, Shade Finder tool available on their website (helps you find your desired shade in nude lipsticks and foundations), Affordable compared to other makeup brands, Many positive reviews from multiple sources online, Many promotions and discounts that are frequent, Refer a Friend Program and Beauty Influencer Program that provide discounts and special offers, Installment payment plans offered through Afterpay, Full refunds offered within 30 days of purchase, Some customer complaints about cancelling orders, Mented Cosmetics customer service number: (929) 335-3312. She puts just as much hustle into her skincare brand Yelle as she does all her other business ventures. And theyre starting with the potentially trickiest beauty buy of them all: "nude" lipstick. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. This Mented Cosmetics review hates to share the unfortunate truth: the brand does not currently ship to Canada. Im the CEO of CultureBanx, redefining business news for minorities. Also, scaling takes capital, so we also knew we had to raise money in order to re-invest in the next thing. So were so excited because it is truly skinlike in the name Skin by Mented is so fitting, adds Miller. A graduate of Howard University and Harvard Business School, Amanda . Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. The message is really resonating. This Skin by Mented Sample Pack is intended to save you the trouble of having to swatch a dozen samples. You must make your return within 30 days and send them your order confirmation email to receive a full refund. Please note that this site and email address is not affiliated with any former Google program named Accelerator. Community and sisterhood are each at the center of everything we do and why we do it. Thats how the check-in on the Brown Girl Jane website begins. Whats more, they offer their customer base Afterpay options for even easier access. A lover of all things beauty and makeup, Karen Stallings founded Colour U Cosmetics to create a line of smart cosmetics that can easily take you from day to night. Still, recently, many of us are denouncing hustle culture for a balance of our own. announced a $25 million initiative to reflect the countrys diversity by doubling the number of Black-owned brands in its stores. We created Mented Cosmetics because we believe everyone should be able to find themselves in the world of beauty, no matter your skin tone. The duo, both 31, had been bootstrapping Mented, which is short for 'pigmented'. And a new Gold Label Cosmetics was born. 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. Build your perfect base with complexion essentials formulated with skin loving ingredients. The mission behind the brand has always been to spread awareness of diversity through beauty and to embrace all aspects of color through unity. And she continues to maintain an all Black team. Well take it! If your order contains 3 or fewer items you will qualify for the Rapid Exchange Program. This Mented Cosmetics Bronzer costs $22. Mented Cosmetics is disrupting the U.S. beauty and cosmetic market thats expected to reach $40 billion by the end of 2022. I try to remember that makeup is fun, not fundamental, she added. Post business school, I continued to work in corporate, but by night, I was in the process of launching a bunch of different businesses. Desiree Verdejo has been on the lips of every beauty editor since launching her brand Hyper last fall. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Her advice for other entrepreneurs who want to mentor her suggests starting with a small to see how many founders you can manage and grow. COTA, named after her brother, is dedicated to providing the ideal skincare program for all skin types. Simply stated this translates to Black dollars accounting for about 86% of the market, something that hasnt gone unnoticed by savvy investors. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Founder Chlo Mortaud was raised in Southern France and traveled to the U.S. to connect with her mothers African-American roots, while also working to build the American dream for her son, Matis. Along with Amanda E. Johnson, Miller is the cofounder of Mented Cosmetics, a makeup line for women of color, which began as a project the two pursued on the weekends in their New York kitchens. Our Story: Black Owned Makeup Company | Mented Cosmetics Mented Cosmetics founders discuss makeup and marketing My vision was to create a brand where there were limitless possibilities for women from all walks of life to create, she says. SistersInc. Pretty straightforward, right? Whereas the Blending Brush creates gradients and the Flat Shader is ideal for packing eyeshadow across your eyelids without losing color pigments (or for defining your crease). Ive wanted to do startups for so long but could never make it work. Marla Rene Skincare founder Marla Rene is a mother, a candle lover, and a DIYer. SPOTLIGHT: Lili Gil Valletta on building networks and asking for funding. They have been able to get major retail distribution with partners including Target Our goal and mission is to bring people together through fragrance, she says. She is also the host of the lifestyle podcast, The Get My Life Tour. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Orders will be shipped within 1-3 days after they are placed and delivery charges are as follows: Due to COVID19 delays with DHL and FedEx, packages will take between 7-11 days for standard shipping. Meant to be a full-coverage nude that suits any skin tone, this lipstick is loved by hundreds of customers who post Instagram selfies showing off their lip looks with one of the 9 shades. TGT What makes working out easy for this busy entrepreneur is owning a Peloton. Privacy Policy Black owned and founded, Mented wants women of all complexions to enjoy their beauty experience. Ron Robinson, cosmetic chemist and founder of BeautyStat Cosmetics, has been in the industry for 20 years on the product development side. Post business school, I ran the digital arm of Barneys NY for several years. Beyond the launch of their new collection, Johnson says listening to their customers and being business savvy within the beauty industry has remained critical to the success of Mented. Lydia T. Blanco is a proud Afro-Latinx digital journalist, creative content strategist, and producer uncovering stories and building digital communities. Amanda Johnson and KJ Miller, cofounders of Mented Cosmetics. "Word of mouth has been really exciting for us," Miller said. You may opt-out by, Can We Save Social Media? The former Dillard University Psychology major took a leap of faith and quit her job to start her passion. The Mented Cosmetics Instagram also has a large following with over 230k followers, where you can always find pictures of smiling customers using their products! Miller. From our original nude lipsticks to our Skin by Mented foundation, each of our products is perfectly pigMented to complement your skin tone. In September, Kristina Jones of legal tech startup Court Buddy became the 14th African-American woman to raise $1 million. As a makeup artist, he saw the need for great products for Black women, and his namesake line was created. From day-to-night, we've got your eyes covered. If you dont know AJ Crimsons face you surely know the faces hes touched, including Brandy, Christina Milian, Keyshia Cole, and Lauren London. One of the 5-star reviews praised the product for its versatility and effectiveness: My fav daily eyeshadow palette. A busy mom and working lawyer, she found out just how helpful a finger brush could be in saving time and energy in a makeup routine. It shows that the brand cares about what you put on your skin. And we are unapologetically beautiful. 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. She makes this point even clearer with her analytical information on the sector and stated, Black women in particular outspend their white counterparts on beauty by upwards of 80%.. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Andres Roban, President and CEO of Ounce of Nature, is a walking advertisement for his products. In her content on social media, youll see her versatility in her makeup looks. ULTA The brands ethos of producing pigmented shades that match all skin tones is something that the beauty industry always needs more of, and their large range of foundation colors, as well as lipsticks in nude shades, shows that they put money where their mouth is. Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Reviews on the Mented Cosmetics Facebook page average out to 4.8/5 stars out of 449 reviews with comments about how great the products arrived quickly and worked well on sensitive skin. The cofounders of Mented Cosmetics, a makeup line for women of color, have become the 15th and 16th African-American women ever to raise $1 million in venture capital to grow their business. Peloton workouts are where I think Im going to have the most fun, and I always sing along to the songs as I ride. Black beauty is big business, and retail is one of the industries being called directly to task regarding the very top of mind subject of diversity, specifically when it comes to suppliers and vendors. That was the case for KJ Miller and Amanda Johnson--founders of Mented Cosmetics, a beauty brand headquartered in New York City that's finding success through specialized products for women of color. It was where I fell in love with marketing, and ultimately spurred my decision to go to business school. being Harvard Business School grads). LaVonndra Elle Johnson of Elle Johnson Co. LaVonndra Elle Johnson became a skincare creator after her own battle with extremely oily skin led her to seek viable options for skincare. 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. You can customize your order with 3 products from the brands monthly selection of makeup categories: Perfect for makeup aficionados, gifts, or for cosmetic influencers, this Statement Box is $50 and will automatically charge your selected payment every 60 days. Founders Of Mented Cosmetics Become 15th, 16th Black Women - Forbes *Terms apply. Kitiya King understood the importance of 10-free nail lacquer long before her competitors got on board. KJ Miller is the co-founder and CEO of Mented Cosmetics, a premium beauty brand targeting women of color. All the colors are perfect for [women of colour] and can be used as blush or even highlighter.. Registry of Corporate Directors. Amanda Johnson and KJ Miller, who met as Harvard Business School classmates, were planning to raise only $500,000 in pre-seed funding, but found themselves on the receiving end of more investor interest than they'd expected. KJ: I will borrow a quote "well behaved women seldom make history. Ive always been assertive and if there is something I want Im gonna fight like hell to get it and probably ruffle feathers along the way. She founded COTA in 2019 in an attempt to recreate the skincare routine her late brother shared with her. Her feminine care brand carries everything from gentle cleansers to bump serum and vagina facial masks. Mented Cosmetics's Co-Founder, CEO is KJ Miller. For Black women, time is precious, but often we forget that the time we spend outside of building our empires is just as important. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". My workdays are so hectic that when I finally take some time for myself, I do not want to be traipsing all over the place. You can catch her poolside with a cocktail in hand. When selecting what type of vacation this CEO wants to have, Miller admits she prefers a relaxing experience. That is a real consideration month-over-month as you expand your team, your product line, and you get an office. When it comes to beauty, her approach is to help women feel good as their authentic selves. How the Mented Cosmetics Founders Built Their Own Seat At The Table You can take the Nude Lipstick Shade Match Quiz on their website and explore which of these colors could be your new go-to. The first product, Heal: Whipped Skin Souffl, was created as an expression of self-acceptance and the brand has been on a roll since. Derived from the word pigmented, Mented Cosmetics strives to create everlasting makeup that works for women of all skin tones. Amanda: Once we had the lightbulb moment regarding the issue of finding nude lipsticks, the immediate next step was to figure out if it was actually a market problem. This $1 million round was led by early stage firm iSeed Ventures, with Built By Girls (BBG) Ventures and Outbound Ventures participating. It's not every day that you're a priority.". The intensity of each of the 4 shades deepens in that order (from light to rich), and they cater to warm and cool undertones. Masthead. Mented Cosmetics We, Ceremony Its important to recognize that Black folks have steadily provided beauty options for their communities and Mented Cosmetics is carving out its own space with a F.U.B.U. Her products are kind to both consumers and the environment. Stay in touch. We have a content series called Voices where we highlight the voices of women of color in the community and their various beauty stories. Keeping true to the brands mission, this foundation comes in 16 shades and works well with cool, warm, red, and neutral undertones. If you are looking for your perfect shade, you can use the Mented Cosmetics Shade Finder or Shade Comparison Guide found on their website. Copyright 2022 Rolling Out. But, their Facebook page had reviews from customers who tried to use the referral link, and their orders were canceled due to suspected fraud. I tapped into my Black Girl Magic and said. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. KJ: When we had the idea for Mented, we both said, we should not be afterthoughts in the world of beauty. Meet KJ Miller, Co-Founder and CEO, Mented Cosmetics, Philadelphia, 35. Propelling a new wave of founders toward transformational change. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Orders placed before 11AM will be shipped the same day. When shes not working on Mented Cosmetics, Miller is prepping for next semester as a lecturer at Yale School of Management. And thats what we decided to create. The average startup founded by a black woman raises only $36,000 in venture funding, versus the $1.3 million the average failed startup led by a white man raises before going kaput. 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. Although this is a foundation brush, you can also use it with concealers, blush, all forms of bronzers, and highlighters. Mented Cosmetics Founders and the Business Behind Their Beauty Brand Using natural oils and clinical ingredients, the brand is creating effective skincare regimens that yield long lasting results. We created Mented Cosmetics because we believe everyone should be able to find themselves in the world of beauty, no matter your skin tone. Ive been putting on lashes every day lately and really loving it. She created the luxury nail lacquer brand soon after and its now a go-to for women across the country. They ask great questions and think about things in new lights, she said. The forty-something will make you do a double take.
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