BIO

 

With three decades of experience in the beauty industry, Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks has cemented her legacy as a pioneering makeup artist, innovative beauty entrepreneur, and powerhouse CEO. As the founder of Ashunta Sheriff Beauty, a rapidly growing inclusive beauty brand, she is redefining industry standards with high-performance, waterproof, and life-proof versatile essentials that cater to ageless beauty and multi-generational consumers worldwide.

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Her artistry has graced some of the most iconic faces in entertainment, including Alicia Keys, Zendaya, Taraji P. Henson, Nia Long, Ava DuVernay, Marisa Tomei, and Mary J. Blige. She has been the creative force behind countless red carpet moments, editorial covers, television and film productions, earning two Emmy nominations for her work as department head for Taraji P. Henson's character, Cookie Lyon, in the hit series Empire.

Ashunta's career spans beyond the makeup chair – she is a global keynote speaker, master educator, and mentor dedicated to empowering the next generation of beauty professionals. As a thought leader and advocate for diversity, inclusion and innovation, she was invited by former Vice President, Kamala Harris, to speak at the White House DEI panel. She has also spoken at The Makeup Show and global beauty summits, sharing her knowledge and passion for equity in the beauty industry.

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Her brand, Ashunta Sheriff Beauty, has skyrocketed in growth by over 842 percent in just two years with very limited ad spend, proving the power of community-driven brand loyalty. The brand has garnered multiple industry accolades, including Oprah Daily's Best Liquid Blush for Mature Skin, an Essence Beauty Award and Marie-Claire's Game Changer Award.

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Ashunta's mission extends beyond beauty: she believes that makeup is ministry – a transformative tool that uplifts and empowers. She brings this philosophy to her mentorship programs, keynote addresses and product innovation, continuously striving to create a billion-dollar beauty empire that champions inclusivity, sustainability and artistic expression.

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Her expertise has been featured across major media platforms, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Refinery29, and The Hollywood Reporter, where she became the first Black makeup artist to grace its cover. A Howard University alumna, Ashunta's journey from Harlem to the global beauty stage is a testament to resilience, innovation and unwavering dedication to her craft. Whether leading backstage at New York Fashion Week, educating pro artists, or formulating next-generation beauty products, Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks is a visionary force, shaping the future of beauty – one brushstroke at a time.