Who is Amber Makupson
Amber Makupson is a visionary entrepreneur, clean beauty advocate, and founder of Meraki Hair Wellness and the Clean Beauty Coalition. Based in Atlanta, she is redefining modern beauty by blending science, spirituality, and ancestral wisdom to create safe, holistic products that honor health and heritage. A licensed esthetician and herbalist, Amber turned personal adversity into purpose, building the first crystal-infused, plant-based hair care line recognized by Oprah Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, and Women’s Health. Through her advocacy and leadership, she continues to champion environmental justice, ingredient transparency, and wellness that begins from within.
The Spark of Transformation
For Amber, beauty has always been more than skin deep , it’s been a reflection of wellness, culture, and truth. Her journey into clean beauty began not in a laboratory or boardroom, but through a moment of pain that became her greatest awakening. After suffering second-degree chemical burns from a product marketed as “safe,” Amber began to question the integrity of the beauty industry she once trusted. That experience ignited her determination to uncover the hidden truths behind ingredients, particularly those found in products marketed to Black women.
“I realized that products made for us often contained the most harmful chemicals,” she recalls. “I knew there had to be a better way, something rooted in intention, healing, and love.”
What began as personal research evolved into a movement. Merging her expertise as a licensed esthetician and herbalist, she envisioned a brand that would bridge science and spirituality, creating products that nurture both the scalp and the soul. That vision became Meraki Hair Wellness, a brand whose very name embodies creation with love, passion, and essence.
From Wellness to Purpose
Amber’s professional foundation was built on a deep respect for both science and heritage. Having studied International Business at Cleveland State University, and later earning her esthetician license from the Atlanta School of Esthetics, she combined strategic business acumen with holistic wellness education. Her early years in spa and aesthetics gave her a firsthand understanding of how beauty, health, and emotion intertwine.
Yet, it was her spiritual and ancestral grounding that gave her approach depth. From Ayurvedic botanicals to the energy of gemstones, she infused ancient rituals into modern formulations. “For me, science gives my brand credibility, while ancestral wisdom gives it soul,” she says.
This duality, science and spirit, innovation and intuition, became the foundation of her leadership and brand identity.
Building Meraki Hair Wellness
In 2019, Amber launched Meraki Hair Wellness, a trailblazing brand that redefined clean beauty through intentional formulation and mindful creation. Every Meraki product is crystal-infused and crafted to deliver high-performance results without compromising health. Free from parabens, sulfates, and toxic chemicals, the line is both dermatologist-approved and spiritually inspired.
Under her leadership, Meraki quickly gained global recognition. It was named the Best Plant-Based Vegan Hair Care Brand in the USA by Lux Life Magazine’s Global Vegan Awards for three consecutive years and recognized by Women’s Health Magazine as the Best Conditioner winner. The brand’s features in Oprah Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar further cemented its place among clean beauty pioneers.
Exclusive Update: Continuing its legacy of excellence, Meraki Hair Wellness has recently been honored with the Best Clean Beauty & Hair Care Brand 2025 – USA and the LUXlife Sustainability Excellence Award 2025, marking its fourth consecutive year of international recognition. For Amber and her team, these accolades are more than awards, they’re affirmations of a mission rooted in love, wellness, and integrity.
But Amber’s success isn’t defined by press or awards, it’s rooted in her impact. One message from a customer remains close to her heart:
“Thank you for creating something I feel safe using on my daughter’s hair.” That quiet moment of gratitude reminded her why she began , to create products that heal, protect, and empower.
Impact: Leading a Movement in Clean Beauty
Amber’s influence transcends her brand. As CEO and Co-Founder of the Clean Beauty Coalition, she has become a leading voice in environmental beauty justice and policy reform. Her advocacy focuses on eliminating toxic ingredients in beauty and personal care products, particularly those disproportionately affecting Black women and children.
“Our mission is to make toxic beauty products a thing of the past,” Amber emphasizes. Through partnerships with the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and the California Black Health Network, she works to advance legislation like the Georgia Non-Toxic Cosmetics Act, which promotes ingredient transparency and corporate accountability.
Her role as an advisor for the Conscious Black Beauty Project further amplifies her impact. There, she collaborates with health experts and policy leaders to educate communities about the intersection of beauty, health, and justice — a conversation long overdue in mainstream wellness.
Dr. Astrid Williams, a social impact leader, praised Amber’s work, saying, “Amber has been at the forefront of addressing the toxic ingredients that disproportionately impact Black women. Her leadership and collaboration have empowered consumers to make healthier choices.”
Amber’s colleague Ansari Vic Zaman echoes this sentiment, describing her as “a visionary leader whose spiritual depth and authenticity have set new standards for beauty rooted in integrity.”
Vision for the Future
Amber’s vision extends beyond her own brand. Through the Clean Beauty Coalition, she is working to influence global beauty standards, champion fair trade, and create pathways for women founders of color in the wellness industry. Her next goal is to expand access to clean, affordable, and culturally relevant beauty products across communities that have historically been overlooked.
“Wellness isn’t perfection, it’s alignment,” she reflects. “It’s the daily practice of listening to what your body and spirit need and honoring that without guilt. I want to help women choose rest without apology, beauty without harm, and purpose over pressure.”
For Amber, beauty is not just a ritual, it’s a revolution of consciousness. Through Meraki and her advocacy, she continues to redefine what it means to look and feel whole.
The Essence of Leadership
Amber Makupson’s journey is a testament to resilience, purpose, and truth. She has taken personal adversity and transformed it into a global movement for wellness and equity. Her story reminds readers that leadership is not just about success, it’s about service, awareness, and the courage to stand for what is right.
In an era where beauty often chases perfection, Amber invites us to return to authenticity, to honor the sacred connection between health, heritage, and humanity. Through her work, she reminds the world that true beauty begins where truth resides.
