Diaspora Star | Olamide Ayomikun Olowe : The Beauty Visionary Redefining Culture, Confidence, and Capital

At just 26, Olamide Ayomikun Olowe has done what many could only dream of rewriting the rulebook for building a globally recognized beauty brand and becoming the youngest Black woman ever to raise $10 million in venture capital.

Born to Nigerian parents in the United States, Olamide’s story is one of vision, purpose, and perseverance. As the founder and CEO of Topicals, she built what is now the fastest-growing skincare brand at Sephora, an empire that bridges science, self-care, and social impact.

But Olamide’s journey began far from the boardrooms of Silicon Valley or the spotlight of Forbes. Growing up, she battled chronic skin conditions a struggle that inspired her passion for skincare and representation. While studying at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), she landed an internship at Shea Moisture, one of the most iconic Black-owned beauty brands in the world. It was there she learned that business could be both profitable and purposeful , that you could do well by doing good.

That experience became the foundation for Topicals, which she launched in 2020. The brand quickly gained traction for its bold packaging, data-driven marketing, and strong advocacy for mental health. Its message resonated deeply: you don’t have to be flawless to be beautiful. Within just two years, Topicals tripled its revenue, selling one product every minute in 2022, a remarkable feat for a young, independent founder competing against billion-dollar corporations.

By 26, Olamide had raised a total of $15 million in venture funding. Behind those numbers, however, were long nights, tough rejections, and an unwavering belief that her ideas mattered. “If you psych yourself out, even just a little bit, you won’t do it,” she once said. “Don’t think about what you can’t do, just ask, why not me?”

Her brand stands out not just for its skincare efficacy, but for its cultural depth. Topicals is built around the belief that storytelling heals  that people of color deserve products and narratives that reflect them authentically. The company has donated over $50,000 to mental health nonprofits and plans to launch a 12-month accelerator to support organizations in that space.

Olamide’s leadership and innovation have earned her global recognition. She has been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, and her company’s success has become a case study in how young founders can disrupt entire industries through authenticity and purpose.

When she speaks about building brands that shift culture, she emphasizes three lessons:

• Know your purpose and stay true to it.

• Bring your background and culture into your work, that’s your power.

• Find partners who believe in your mission as much as you do.

Today, Olamide Ayomikun Olowe isn’t just changing beauty she’s reshaping how the world sees young African women in business. Her story reminds us that representation isn’t a trend; it’s a responsibility. Through Topicals, she’s proving that culture and commerce can coexist beautifully and that every young entrepreneur can dare to ask, why not me?