These Brands Made Ulta’s 2026 MUSE Accelerator Cohort

Ulta Beauty has named the eight brands selected for the fifth annual MUSE Accelerator Program.

The 10-week program – part of Ulta Beauty’s ongoing dedication to supporting brand development and retail readiness – provides early-stage brands with funding, mentorship and retail-readiness resources.

The 2026 MUSE Accelerator will award $410,000 in funding – $50,000 to each participating brand, plus an additional $10,000 award to a recipient selected by Ulta Beauty and the Fifteen Percent Pledge – to help founders accelerate growth and prepare for national retail distribution.

“For five years, MUSE has elevated emerging voices with the potential to shape the future of beauty, providing founders with greater access to the resources, mentorship and support that can help them succeed,” said Lauren Brindley, chief merchandising and digital officer at Ulta Beauty. “We’re proud to have supported 32 brands and counting and look forward to seeing the impact this next cohort will have on our industry.”

Since launching in 2022, Ulta Beauty’s MUSE Accelerator has supported more than 30 early-stage brands, awarded more than $1.5 million in funding and provided 150+ coaching hours. Starting Sept. 14, the newly named early-stage brands spanning haircare, skincare, fragrance, cosmetics and body care will kick-off a 10-week journey that includes a robust curriculum, mentorship and funding to fuel growth and prepare for retail distribution.

Meet the Cohort

Jade Mui-Wong & Tina Mui, Aware Hair – Aware Hair is a professional scalp wellness brand redefining proactive care at the root. Designed for the modern needs of scalp and hair, the brand’s high-performance formulas support holistic scalp health without compromising luxurious salon results.

Osaremi Sade Parham, Blue Water Girls – The Caribbean-inspired beauty brand brings the feeling of a private island escape to sun and body care. Through clean, glow-enhancing formulas and joyful storytelling, the brand inspires everyone to embrace the sun and celebrate their natural radiance.

Alexis Flores, Dos Mundos – The Latin-owned luxury fragrance house rooted in culture, memory and the feeling of living between worlds. Through scent, the brand translates Latin stories into modern, intimate and elevated fragrances made to feel personal, emotional and deeply lived in.

Jordan Polk, MIA Outdoor Hair – Redefines hair care for life outdoors with high-performance formulas designed to address the unique stressors hair and scalp face outside. The brand’s hero product, HairBlock, is a texture-aware leave-in serum powered by a three-UV-filter system and sustainable biotechnology to help support hair against the drying and damaging effects of sun, salt water and chlorine.

Jenny Ching Lien Farelli, Mochiglow – A fine fragrance house inspired by the scents of Asian desserts & drinks, Mochiglow transforms flavors like rice, mochi and matcha into perfumes that capture feelings of joy, comfort and nostalgia.

Monica Stevens, MoKnowsHair – A salon-quality collection of products for all curl types and textures, MoKnowsHair, helps wearers achieve the healthiest version of their hair.

Ernestine Cecelia Meadows, Prados Beauty – This award-winning beauty brand founded by Xicana and Yoeme makeup artist Cece Meadows creates authentic representation and visibility for Indigenous communities in the beauty industry. Through high-performance, culturally inspired cosmetics and meaningful collaborations with Indigenous artists, Prados Beauty celebrates identity, creativity and community while making beauty a space where everyone belongs.

Sana Mithani & Lizna Kabani, Prereq Care – A self-care bridge for how Gen Alpha lives, the brand was co-founded with 50 preteens and teens who shaped every decision from formula to packaging. On-the-go, microbiome-friendly, dermatologist-approved formulas manage odor, calm redness and protect the skin barrier through the shifts of puberty — built for backpacks, not bathrooms, and all the in-between moments of life.