Mented Cosmetics – Redefining Nude, One Shade at a Time
- All Things Melanin
- Sep 22
- 2 min read
Simple. Sophisticated. Unapologetically Inclusive. Mented Cosmetics is a Black-owned beauty brand that delivers a sophisticated, no-fuss approach to makeup, striving to ensure every person can find themselves and feel celebrated in their beauty routine.
Founded by Harvard Business School graduates KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson, Mented Cosmetics was born from a very personal—and relatable—struggle: the inability to find a simple nude lipstick that actually complemented their skin tones. From this shared frustration, Mented (short for "pigmented") was born —a beauty brand that made makeup easy.
The Beauty of Simplicity
Mented isn’t about 100-step makeup routines or trends that come and go. This brand is for the everyday woman who wants to feel polished without the pressure.
The formulas are clean, the shades are curated, and the packaging is sleek. Everything about Mented is intentional—from the rich pigment payoff to the effortless glide of their lipsticks.
A Nude for Every Hue
Let’s talk about the brand's claim to fame: the perfect nude lipstick. If you’ve ever tried to find a nude that suits your skin tone and preferences, you know that it can be difficult to find. Mented flipped the script by creating a shade range that centers women of color first.
Their Semi-Matte Lipstick line is a fan favorite, offering rich, everyday hues like Dope Taupe, Mented #5, and Foxxy Brown—nudes that actually work for deeper skin tones. But the line doesn’t stop there. From foundation sticks to eyeshadow palettes, every product is made with melanin in mind.
And yes—they’re vegan, paraben-free, and cruelty-free too because clean beauty and inclusive beauty shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.
Our Must-Try Picks
If you’re new to Mented, start here:
Semi-Matte Lipsticks – The OG product that started it all. Creamy, long-lasting, and truly wearable shades for every day.
Skin by Mented Foundation Stick – Lightweight, buildable coverage in a stick format that makes application a breeze.
Everyday Eyeshadow Palette – Warm, earthy tones that blend like a dream and work on every skin tone.
Bonus: Their site includes a shade finder and tons of tutorials to help you find your perfect match.
To learn more about Mented Cosmetics, check out their:
Comments