These Nail Polish Colors Were Created to Pop on Black Women — and Celebrate Their Beauty

When it comes to beauty, representation isn’t just important — it’s revolutionary. Jacqueline Carrington, a proud wife and mother of three, understood that deeply when she founded her groundbreaking nail polish line, People of Color.

After spending six years in the property management industry, Carrington decided in October 2019 to pivot her career toward something more personal and powerful: creating nail colors that truly reflect the full range of melanin-rich skin tones (Good Morning America).

Growing up, Carrington was always drawn to how bright polish shades popped against different complexions. Yet, she rarely saw images of those same hues displayed on women with darker skin. “It always felt like something was missing in the beauty aisles,” she said in an interview with Essence. “We deserve to see ourselves represented beautifully and boldly.”

The idea for People of Color came unexpectedly — and sweetly. One day, her 3-year-old daughter came home from visiting her grandmother, proudly showing off her freshly painted nails. That moment reignited Carrington’s lifelong love of color and sparked a realization: if her daughter couldn’t see nail polish modeled on skin like hers, it was time to change that.

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Building a Brand That Honors Melanin

People of Color (PoC) launched with a clear mission: to create a nail polish brand that celebrates and represents people of color, not just as consumers but as the inspiration behind every shade. Each color tells a story — about heritage, identity, and pride.

Carrington’s products are vegan, cruelty-free, and “10-free,” meaning they exclude 10 of the most harmful toxins commonly found in nail polish, including formaldehyde, parabens, and camphor (Byrdie). “We’re committed to providing safe, ethical beauty,” Carrington said. “But beyond that, we’re building a brand that celebrates our people and our beauty.”

PoC’s collections are a vibrant reflection of Black culture and global heritage. The brand’s standout “For the Culture” collection features shades like Around the Way Girl (a bold lime green) and Soul Glo (a warm, glowing orange), both nods to cultural icons and nostalgic moments from Black history and pop culture (Refinery29).

Meanwhile, the “Queen Collection” pays homage to historical Black and brown royalty — including Queen Moremi of Nigeria, Queen Liliʻuokalani of Hawaii, Queen Makeda of Sheba, Rani Chennamma of India, and Anacaona of Hispaniola — symbolizing the global strength and resilience of women of color throughout history.

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Representation in Every Shade

Carrington’s brand quickly gained traction not only for its striking shades but for its deeper message of inclusivity. “We’re redefining what luxury looks like in beauty,” she told Good Morning America. “It’s not just about polish; it’s about pride.”

Since its launch, People of Color has been featured in Essence, Allure, and Glamour, and can be found at major retailers like Urban Outfitters and Lord & Taylor, in addition to the official People of Color website. The brand’s popularity has also allowed Carrington to bring her vision directly to the community through pop-up markets and beauty fairs across Los Angeles.

Each bottle is more than polish — it’s a statement. The names, the hues, and the cultural references are designed to spark joy, conversation, and recognition among women who have too often been overlooked in mainstream beauty campaigns.

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More Than Beauty — It’s Empowerment

Carrington says her biggest goal is to remind women of color that they deserve to be seen, celebrated, and catered to. “People of Color isn’t just a nail brand,” she said in her GMA interview. “It’s a celebration of every shade of beautiful.”

As the brand continues to grow, Carrington remains deeply connected to her mission and her community. She often participates as a vendor at local Los Angeles markets, where she meets customers face-to-face and shares the stories behind her collections.

From a spark of inspiration in her daughter’s smile to a thriving business now featured on major platforms, Carrington’s journey proves that when women of color build for themselves, the results are not only beautiful — they’re transformative.

So here’s to Jacqueline Carrington, continuing to nail it with every shade she creates — one that honors culture, confidence, and color.