The beauty industry is mourning the sudden loss of Sharon Chuter, the visionary founder and former CEO of Uoma Beauty, who passed away at the age of 38. She was found unresponsive on August 14, 2025, in Los Angeles, according to the county medical examiner. The cause of death remains under investigation.
Born in Nigeria, Chuter built a remarkable career with global beauty giants such as L’Oréal, LVMH, and PepsiCo before launching Uoma Beauty in 2019. Her brand quickly gained acclaim for its groundbreaking 51-shade foundation range and its bold commitment to inclusivity. “I’m here to start a movement [and] to encourage people and make them know that they have a voice,” she told Allure in 2020—and she stayed true to that vision throughout her career.
Chuter’s influence extended beyond cosmetics. In 2020, she launched the Pull Up for Change initiative, challenging beauty companies to publicly disclose the diversity within their corporate ranks. The movement, amplified by the viral #PullUpOrShutUp campaign, pushed several major brands to address racial representation. She later introduced the Make It BLACK campaign, which raised funds for Black-owned businesses while reexamining cultural perceptions of the word “black.”
Despite her success, Chuter faced personal and professional challenges. She stepped down as CEO of Uoma Beauty in 2023 after a serious health scare, though she retained ownership in the company. More recently, she was engaged in a legal dispute over the brand’s sale, underscoring her ongoing fight to protect her vision.
Her passing has sparked an outpouring of grief across the beauty industry. Fellow founders, creators, and advocates have remembered her as a fearless leader, a passionate voice for equity, and a trailblazer whose influence will endure. “You were such a bright light that broke so many barriers,” wrote chemist Ron Robinson in tribute.
Sharon Chuter leaves behind not only the legacy of Uoma Beauty but also a movement that transformed how the beauty world views inclusivity and accountability. Her work and her vision will continue to inspire future generations of creators, advocates, and changemakers.