Born in New Hampshire, raised mostly in Arizona, Baze Mpinja just might be the most unlikely beauty writer ever. Her life has been a series of firsts: her parents emigrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo to the United States, making her a first-generation American. She is her mother and father’s first-born child, and she's the first woman in my family to graduate from a university. Her grandmothers never learned to read—when they were growing up, girls didn't go to school. That’s why her career as a writer at times seems unfathomable.

Baze moved to New York City right after college with dreams of working in the music industry, but she took a detour into the beauty world and never looked back. She's spent my fair share of time writing about hair tips and eye shadow tricks, but she loves when she gets a chance to start deeper conversations, sharing her personal experiences and writing candidly about the way that beauty effects our lives.

With adaptability is her superpower, she's navigated startup-style multicultural magazines (Vibe Vixen), national media powerhouses (Glamour), and the creative side of theatrical advertising (SpotCo). Along the way, she honed the ability to dive into unfamiliar topics, collaborate cross-functionally, deliver clean, accurate work on tight deadlines, and tailor my writing to resonate with diverse audiences.

As a project-based writer and strategist, brands trust her to shape their voice (Ami Colé), develop storytelling strategies (Unilever), create compelling branded content (Vox Media), and craft executive communications (The Ritz-Carlton).

Her other passion lies in telling stories about people and topics that challenge the status quo. I’ve profiled a Nigerian-American chef whose restaurant topped NYC’s rankings (Vogue), highlighted Black women in the Army redefining hair regulations (Allure), and explored the resurgence of press-on nails (WSJ).

Whether working with global brands or national publications, I bring strong ideas to the table, translate them into impactful writing, and see them through from pitch to production.