Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Nelson.
Hi Jasmine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When I was younger, I’d say a Sophomore in High school, I was riding the bus with a friend, she mentioned that she had hair on her face. Out of curiosity, I went home and looked in the mirror… and there it was. Hair on my neck and a little bit on my jawline that I’d never noticed before.
That small moment turned into one of the biggest battles of my life.
I grabbed a used razor, trying to “fix” it, and that one decision caused years of pain, ingrown hairs, dark spots, scarring, and embarrassment. I’d layer makeup on my neck just to hide it, ruining clothes in the process. I lived for winters because scarves and turtlenecks gave me cover. On the outside, I looked fine. On the inside, I was fighting something I didn’t even understand.
By my late teens, the hair had spread to my chin and sideburns. I was modeling at the time, mostly to get edited photos that reminded me I was still beautiful. But deep down, I didn’t feel it. I spent years trying every product, cream, or “miracle cure” the internet had to offer. Nothing worked. Eventually, I learned there was a name for what I was experiencing Hirsutism and that it was likely tied to PCOS.
I went to the doctor, got tested, and was told my hormones were “normal.” They offered me birth control and spironolactone, but I wanted a real solution not another pill. I even asked about laser hair removal, but insurance wouldn’t cover it because it was “cosmetic.” Looking back, that rejection was a blessing. At the time, laser was burning a lot of women with darker skin like mine.
Years later, my then-boyfriend (now husband) looked at my neck one day and said, “Why does your neck look like a Crunch Bar?” — and that was my breaking point. It was harsh, but honest. I had been hiding this for so long that I thought no one noticed. That conversation changed everything. He taught me how to shave correctly, which helped a little, but I still wanted more than just a temporary fix.
After trying electrolysis and spending way too much money on sessions that didn’t work, I decided I had to figure this out myself. I started studying natural and Ayurvedic ingredients, writing notes, doing research, testing different formulas… but then life happened again. I found out I was pregnant.
During my first ultrasound, my doctor pointed out cysts on my ovaries and said, “You have PCOS — and you may not be able to have more children.” I was in shock. But I was also determined to do everything I could to take care of myself.
After my son was born, I became a stay-at-home mom. Money was tight, so my husband and I moved in with my grandmother to get back on our feet. And in that same kitchen where she used to cook for us, I started mixing oils, herbs, and ingredients, chasing an idea that maybe , just maybe, I could create something that worked.
And it did.
Within a few weeks, I started to see changes, the hair was thinning, growing back slower, and my dark spots were fading. I couldn’t believe it. I shared it with family and friends, and their results were just as good. I knew I was on to something. That’s how Umber By J Lenay was born, right there in my grandmother’s kitchen, surrounded by bottles, notes, and baby toys.
By 2019, I had finalized the formula for what would become our signature product, the Hair Reducing Fade Oil. I started testing it with women online who were dealing with the same struggles. I wanted to know if it worked beyond just me. It did — and the response was overwhelming.
Since then, my life has changed in ways I never could’ve imagined. I’ve built a community of women who remind me every day why this work matters. We’ve been featured in Essence, CW, Fox 26, Revolt x Target’s BET on Black as a finalist, and countless other platforms. I’ve spoken at events, been part of programs like Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, and connected with incredible women across the country.
But more than the recognition, what means the most are the messages from women saying,
“You helped me feel confident again.”
“For the first time, I’m not hiding.”
That’s what Umber stands for, healing the emotional and physical scars that no one talks about.
Today, I’m focused on scaling Umber responsibly, building an affiliate and pro partner programs, expanding internationally, and educating women about hormonal health and natural solutions. What started as my own insecurity has grown into a global movement.
And I’ll never forget that it all began because I refused to let shame win or let another woman feel like she had to fight this battle alone.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My road has been anything but smooth. It has been rough, unpredictable, and full of lessons I never asked for but definitely needed.
From the start, nothing about my life came easy. Growing up, we went from having stability to suddenly living in survival mode. There were days without food, without lights, and without direction. That kind of childhood forces you to grow up fast. But honestly, that same resilience is what helped me build Umber By J Lenay later in life.
When I started dealing with facial hair in my teens, it became a constant emotional battle. It wasn’t just about the hair, it was about what it did to my confidence. I tried everything to to have it under control, a lot of trial and error. The real struggle was trying to love myself while feeling like I had to hide behind makeup or filters just to feel normal.
Even when I finally created something that worked, that didn’t mean the challenges stopped. I didn’t have funding, investors, or a background in business. I started this company with gift money from my birthday and mixing up concoctions in grandmother’s kitchen with two kids, barely enough money for supplies, and a vision that people didn’t always understand at first. There were nights I’d be making products at 2 a.m., praying the formula wouldn’t separate, and mornings I’d be up early packing orders before the kids woke up.
There were moments I questioned everything, times when I wondered if anyone would take a brand like mine seriously, especially one created by a black woman openly talking about facial hair and PCOS. It’s not a “ideal” topic, but it’s real, and that’s why I’ve never stopped.
Every setback, from financial stress to self-doubt to figuring out how to scale without losing authenticity, has shaped me. The road has been full of bumps, but each one built a version of me that’s stronger, wiser, and more determined to keep pushing forward.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that smooth roads don’t create strong women. The hard parts did that.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Umber By J Lenay is more than just a skincare brand focused on helping women regain their confidence. It’s rooted in my own personal struggle with PCOS and excessive facial hair. It became my way of helping women who felt the same shame, frustration, and isolation that I once did.
We specialize in natural solutions that help reduce unwanted facial and body hair without harsh chemicals or expensive procedures. Our best-selling product, the Hair Reducing Fade Oil, is dermatologist-tested and formulated with plant-based, science-backed ingredients that target hair at the follicular level while helping fade dark spots and calm the skin. What started as one product in my grandmother’s kitchen has now evolved into a growing line that includes face washes, sugar scrubs, shave sticks, masks, and moisturizers are all designed to support clear, healthy skin through every step of the process.
What truly sets us apart isn’t just what’s inside the bottle, it’s who we are behind it. We’re transparent about the journey, the ingredients, and the reality of what women with hormonal imbalances go through. We don’t hide behind stock photos or unrealistic results. The faces you see in our campaigns are real women with real stories, this is including myself. We’re living proof that healing, both skin-deep and emotional, takes time, patience, and the right support.
What I’m most proud of about this brand is that we’ve created a safe space for women to finally feel seen. Women who’ve been made to feel “unfeminine” because of facial hair are now walking in confidence, sharing their stories openly, and realizing they’re not alone. That’s powerful.
We’ve been featured on many platforms organically, but honestly, the biggest reward isn’t the recognition, it’s the messages I get from women saying things like, “You gave me my confidence back,” or “I finally feel beautiful again.” That’s what fuels me every single day.
For readers who may not know us yet, I want you to know this: Umber isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about progress, healing, and learning to feel good in your own skin again. Every formula, every message, and every event we create is rooted in that mission.
We’re here to change how women experience beauty, especially those who’ve been overlooked, judged, or made to feel “different.” We don’t just make products; we build community, share education, and create conversations that matter.
At the end of the day, Umber By J Lenay is a reminder that what once made you insecure can become your purpose and I’m living proof of that.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memories would have to be running outside barefoot, going on adventures throughout the neighborhood with the other kids. Nobody wanted to stay inside — we’d all be out until the streetlights came on. It was so much fun. One thing I can say is that when you’re a kid, you don’t have a worry in the world. The only responsibility you have is getting those good grades in school.
The fact that there aren’t many kids today who get to experience just being out and about is honestly concerning. The world isn’t like it used to be. All the kids on my street would meet up after a certain time every day. And if one friend wasn’t home or couldn’t come out, you could always count on another house down the street, there was always someone ready to play.
We’d make up games, play in groups, walk around, or ride our bikes around the block for hours. It was simple, pure fun. You don’t see much of that anymore, and it’s a shame that so many kids won’t get to experience what that kind of childhood freedom felt like.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Umberjlenay.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/umberjlenay
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/umberjlenay
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminenelsonujl/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/umberjlenay
