Celebrating some more of our Black Founders
Role: Award-winning hairstylist, founder of the Charlotte Mensah haircare brand, and owner of the renowned Hair Lounge salon in London.
Current Venture: Creator of the award-winning Manketti Oil haircare collection, developed to nourish, strengthen and celebrate textured hair
Known For: Transforming the perception of Afro, curly and textured hair within the British beauty industry and becoming one of the UK's leading authorities on natural haircare.
Charlotte Mensah:
Contributions to Beauty:
Championing Textured Hair: For more than two decades, Charlotte Mensah has advocated for the beauty and versatility of Afro, curly and textured hair. Her work has helped move natural hair into the mainstream beauty conversation and encouraged greater representation within the industry.
Creating Award Winning Haircare: Drawing inspiration from her Ghanaian heritage, she developed the Manketti Oil range, using nutrient-rich African ingredients traditionally known for their moisturising and strengthening properties. The collection has gained international recognition for caring for textured hair.
Educating the Industry: Beyond styling and product development, Mensah has spent years sharing expertise through education, workshops and industry commentary, helping improve understanding of textured hair across the beauty sector.
Visual Style:
Blends wellness, heritage and modern science.
Celebrates natural beauty and healthy skin rather than unrealistic perfection.
Uses clean, minimalist branding with a strong connection to African culture and storytelling
Focuses on authenticity, community and representation.
Visual Style:
•Celebrates the beauty of natural texture and healthy hair.
•Blends luxury haircare with African heritage and traditions.
•Known for creating beautifully shaped, healthy-looking curls and coils.
•Uses a holistic approach focused on hair health, moisture and scalp care.
Legacy in Diversity:
Advocates for greater visibility of Black consumers within the beauty industry.
Created a brand specifically designed around the needs of melanin-rich skin while remaining accessible to all.
Promotes ethical sourcing and supports farming communities through partnerships such as Farm Africa.
Uses beauty as a platform to celebrate African innovation, ingredients and heritage.
Legacy in Diversity:
•Three-time winner of Afro Hairdresser of the Year.
•Inducted into the British Hairdressing Hall of Fame.
•Helped raise the profile of textured hair within mainstream beauty and fashion media.
•Founded the Charlotte Mensah Academy, supporting skills development for young people in Ghana.
•Established L.O.V.E. (Ladies of Visionary Empowerment) to support educational opportunities for young women in Africa.
Current Projects:
Through her academy and charitable work, Mensah continues to invest in the next generation of talent, particularly young women and aspiring hair professionals across Africa. "I want women to embrace their natural texture and understand that healthy hair is beautiful hair.“ – Charlotte Mensah.
The Mensah product range continues to expand globally, bringing African-inspired ingredients and expertise in textured hair to a wider audience.
Current Projects:
Founded in 2022, S'ABLE Labs continues to expand globally, including retail partnerships with retailers such as Space NK. The brand's mission is to create effective, science-backed skincare inspired by African beauty traditions and designed for all skin tones. “I was looking around and not seeing myself, my skin tone, my heritage, my values, reflected in the wellness and skincare space.” – Sabrina Elba