Bare and bold

  Shareefa had always believed that beauty was more than skin deep but growing up in a small, close-knit Muslim community, she often struggled to find makeup products that felt like her. The shelves were filled with brands that either overlooked her skin tone or clashed with her values. She wanted halal-certified products, shades that embraced all women of color, and most of all, a brand that celebrated confidence without compromise.

At 22, with a notebook full of sketches, product ideas, and scribbled affirmations, Shareefa dreamed of launching her own makeup line. But dreams alone weren’t enough. She had no business background, no investors, and no connections in the industry. What she did have was passion and an unexpected mentor.

During a local entrepreneurship workshop, Shareefa met Nadia, a successful businesswoman who had once faced similar obstacles while building her own modest fashion line. Nadia didn’t hand Shareefa a step-by-step plan. Instead, she asked one question:

"Who are you building this for?"

That single question shifted everything. Shareefa realized her goal wasn’t just to sell makeup it was to create a brand that gave young women the tools to feel seen and empowered, no matter their background.

Seeing the spark for change in the world, Nadia became very close to Shareefa. With Nadia’s guidance, Shareefa learned about product sourcing, branding, halal certification, and the importance of storytelling. When her first line, “Bare & Bold”, finally launched, it wasn’t just a collection of lipsticks and foundations, it was a statement. Her community embraced it, and soon enough, so did others.

Looking back, Shareefa always says the same thing: “Makeup can be wiped off. But the confidence you build with the right people guiding you? That stays forever.”