Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye grew up in her Senagelese mother’s hair salon in Harlem, soaking in the camaraderie and culture that the space fostered. A true lover of all things beauty, she developed a career in the industry, working with brands such as Glossier and L'Oréal. Taking a longer look at the market, she noticed a lack of offerings for clean, accessible, no-makeup-makeup products that centered those with melanin-rich skin. With the desire to fill this need and celebrate her community, N'Diaye founded Ami Colé in 2021, to much acclaim.