
I Tried This Melanin-Rich Clean Beauty Brand & It Embodies 'Your Skin, But Better'

Clean girl makeup is trending, but unfortunately, Black and brown women aren't being appropriately credited. We're the original wearers of slicked-back buns, glossy lips, and skin gleaming with gentle makeup touches. My clean girl era was largely ushered in by my mom, who wouldn't let me even think about wearing makeup or my hair down until I was 16. Even then, gloss was the only thing I could wear because she always wanted me to love my skin.
As an adult, wearing makeup feels like a chore. On the occasion that I do wear makeup, I want to always look like myself. Think, my skin but better. So when I started to see and hear the buzz around Ami Colé, a brand founded by Senegalese-American beauty expert Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye, I wanted to learn more. A brand that is clean and makes complexion products for brown skin girls that are all about letting our skin shine through. Sign. Me. Up.
Of course, I had to put them to the test and share my experience with you. Keep reading for all the deets on Ami Colé.
Ami Colé Skin-Enhancing Tint
So let's talk about what the skin tint is offering up. For starters, the formula is clean, vegan, and cruelty-free. I know those are three buzzwords that can mean a range of things. But through the brand's Product Philosophy, I learned a lot. For Ami Colé, clean means their products are formulated sans endocrine disruptors (think: parabens, benzophenones, bisphenols, phthalates, etc.) that can disrupt your hormones. A pledge I love.
However, with a direct-to-consumer brand, finding your perfect shade match can be a challenge. But Ami Colé makes it easy by sharing photos of women under each shade. For example, I wasn't sure if I was Deep 1 or 2. But seeing an image and getting a breakdown of the undertones under the picture, I was able to select my perfect match, which was Deep 2, formulated for deep skin with golden or yellow undertones.
I first tested the formula by applying it to my face with my fingers, and it blended into my jawline seamlessly. I continued with a Beauty Blender. Because this formula is made to enhance and not cover up the skin, it felt like I had nothing on. And it played nice with my skin care and SuperGoop SPF.
Bianca Lambert/xoNecole
Ami Colé Skin-Enhancing Concealer
Concealer is a staple in my makeup routine because of my hyperpigmentation. So I'm always on the hunt for a formula that doesn't cause breakouts and covers without caking. The Skin-Enhancing Concealer is fairly new to the Ami Colé lineup, but reviewers love it. So I was hoping for the same experience.
At first glance on the website, I loved that they shared two shades for each complexion. If you know your shade in the Skin Tint, they curate your concealer shades. For example, since I was Deep 2, my concealer shades are Deep 2 and Deep 2.5 Finding the right shade for concealing and brightening has always been a struggle for me, and this took the guesswork right out. The formula somehow manages to be lightweight but provides coverage. When applying my concealer, I let it dry down before working it in. As a result, I didn't have to go back in and touch any areas, and I could see my skin through the product.
Bianca Lambert/xoNecole
Ami Colé Skin Melt Loose Powder
I have a cult-favorite powder I don't go anywhere without, but I tried this one in its place. First, let's talk about the packaging. One thing I don't like about loose powders is you can lose product if the packaging has holes that are too large. Ami Colé, said aht, aht, aht. We're not only going to develop a talc-free powder that sets, hydrates (thanks to hyaluronic acid), and doesn't leave skin cakey—but the packaging keeps the fine powder in its place.
The packaging has a screw on the top, a black piece that snaps on top of the powder, and then a mess net that keeps it in place. So you have a trio of product protection. I have to say. I was incredibly impressed with the design.
For me, Ami Colé is a brand I will continue to support. The products live up to their hype. I can't wait to see what they do next!
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Bianca Lambert/xoNecole
- Ami Colé Is the Cosmetics Brand for Deep Skin Tones I've Been ... ›
- Ami Colé's Skin-Enhancing Concealer Is My New Everyday Staple ›
- Ami Colé Review: Meet The New Makeup Brand For Melanin-Rich ... ›
- Ami Colé Makes Clean Beauty Products for Melanin-Rich Skin—I ... ›
- Ami Cole Lash-Amplifying Mascara: Five Editors Try—Photos and ... ›
'Sistas' Star Skyh Black On The Power Of Hypnotherapy & Emotional Vulnerability For Men
In this insightful episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Sistas star Skyh Black, as he opened up about his journey of emotional growth, resilience, and self-discovery. The episode touches on emotional availability, self-worth, masculinity, and the importance of therapy in overcoming personal struggles.
Skyh Black on Emotional Availability & Love
On Emotional Availability & Vulnerability
“My wife and I wouldn't be where we are today if both of us weren't emotionally available,” he shared about his wife and Sistas co-star KJ Smith, highlighting the value of vulnerability and emotional openness in a relationship. His approach to masculinity stands in contrast to the traditional, stoic ideals. Skyh is not afraid to embrace softness as part of his emotional expression.
On Overcoming Self-Doubt & Worthiness Issues
Skyh reflected on the self-doubt and worthiness issues that he struggled with, especially early in his career. He opens up about his time in Los Angeles, living what he calls the “LA struggle story”—in a one-bedroom with three roommates—and being homeless three times over the span of 16 years. “I always had this self-sabotaging thought process,” Skyh said. “For me, I feel therapy is essential, period. I have a regular therapist and I go to a hypnotherapist.”
How Therapy Helped Him Heal From Self-Doubt
On Hypnotherapy & Empowering Self-Acceptance
Skyh’s journey is a testament to the power of tapping into self-development despite life’s struggles and being open to growth. “I had to submit to the fact that God was doing good in my life, and that I'm worthy of it. I had a worthiness issue and I did not realize that. So, that’s what the hypnotherapy did. It brought me back to the core. What is wrong so that I can fix it?”
Watch the full podcast episode below:
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by
Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube