When beauty influencer Aysha Harun announced her collaboration with Ami Colé, the beauty world took notice. Known for her authentic content and commitment to celebrating melanin-rich skin, Harun has made a name for herself as a voice for Black women in beauty. Her latest partnership with Ami Colé, a clean beauty brand designed for melanin-rich skin, is much more than a product drop. It’s a celebration of Black beauty, culture, and sisterhood.
A Natural Alignment
The partnership between Harun and Ami Colé wasn’t just a business move. It was built on a shared passion for beauty that celebrates diverse skin tones. Harun’s introduction to Ami Colé came in 2021, and she immediately resonated with the brand.
“I instantly fell in love with the formulas,” Harun shared with 21Ninety.
Although Harun was a fan of the brand already, it was the mutual respect she shared with Ami Colé founder Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye that truly sparked the collaboration.
“It was this natural connection between us,” Harun said, reflecting on her first meeting with N’Diaye-Mbaye. “I wanted to launch my first product, and I wanted it to be intentional. Ami Colé just felt like the perfect partner for that.”
It was more than just chemistry, it was a shared mission. Both women are deeply proud of their African heritage, with Harun hailing from East Africa (Ethiopia) and Ami Colé championing its West African roots. This synergy birthed what Harun affectionately refers to as an “East meets West collaboration,” celebrating their cultures while creating products tailored for women of color.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Despite her years of success, Harun admitted that stepping into this collaboration wasn’t without its challenges. Like many women of color in creative spaces, she had to confront her own imposter syndrome.
“I was just trying to overcome that feeling of, ‘Am I good enough for an opportunity like this?’” she confessed.
Harun shared that she had been preparing a pitch for this collaboration a year before it even happened but hesitated to move forward. “
The only influencer collaborations I’d ever seen were with really huge creators,” she said.
However, with encouragement from her husband and support system, she realized the power of her unique voice.
“I tapped into the messaging that everyone deserves to feel beautiful, especially with their beauty products,” she emphasized.
The Role of Black Women
Black women have always been at the core of Harun’s journey. From her upbringing to her content creation, her community has been an unwavering source of strength.
“I was raised by the strongest Black woman I know — my mother. She’s a refugee from Ethiopia who worked as a housekeeper her whole life, and seeing her put aside her dreams to make mine come true has always driven me,” Harun shared emotionally.
In the beauty world, figures like Jackie Aina have been pivotal to her success.
“Jackie Aina has been someone I’ve looked up to for years,” she said, noting how vital it is for Black women to see each other succeed. “She is now a friend of mine who helps make me feel welcome in this community. It’s really important to have black women in big spaces that you can look up to.”
Having strong mentors and a majority Black-women audience has been crucial for Hraun and now she feels as though it’s her turn to make a difference.
“I have a responsibility as a Black woman in this space, especially as a Black hijabi woman, to be someone people can look up to.”
Building a Beauty Community
One of Harun’s greatest strengths is her ability to foster community. For years, she has cultivated a loyal audience that mirrors her authenticity.
“I’ve been my authentic self since I was 16, and now I’m 29. That’s the connection I have with my audience,” she said.
Harun’s followers aren’t just passive viewers but a sisterhood of women who see themselves reflected in her journey.
“When people come to my channel, I want them to feel like they belong to a community, regardless of what they look like.”
This sense of community extended naturally into her partnership with Ami Colé. Both brands share a dedication to making women of color feel seen and celebrated.
“With Ami Colé, you feel like you’re part of a community when you use their products,” Harun explained.
For her, that inclusivity is everything.
Looking to the Future
This collaboration is a milestone, but Harun is just getting started. From the beginning of her career, she has always been intentional, and this partnership is no exception. By infusing elements of her Ethiopian culture into the product design, she made sure this was more than just another beauty launch. This became a personal and cultural celebration.
Harun’s success speaks to the power of Black women supporting Black women. Whether it’s through her mother’s sacrifices, the encouragement of mentors like Jackie Aina, or the love of her online community, Black women have been the backbone of her journey. Now, through this collaboration, she’s giving back by creating products that make Black women feel beautiful, seen, and celebrated.