LA-based West Lane Capital Partners made its second investment in the beauty sector this year by acquiring Mented Cosmetics. Beauty Independent reported the firm is on the outlook for future investments in beauty, typically targeting brands in the neighborhood of $10 million in annual revenues.WHO: Mented (short for "pigmented") Cosmetics was founded by Harvard Business School classmates Amanda Johnson and KJ Miller. The brand started taking pre-orders for their first products in January 2017, but officially launched in March 2017. Mented is a range of nude lipsticks that is vegan, nontoxic, and formulated especially for women of color. The brand has expanded to a full makeup line, with foundation being the bestseller, followed by lip products.LA-based West Lane Capital Partners is a private investment firm that partners with entrepreneurs and management teams to invest in lower middle-market companies. In addition to providing capital, West Lane are actively engaged partners across the strategy, operations, and finance functions within its portfolio businesses.WHY: The brand stopped selling on its website. Post-transaction, the priority will be getting Mented up and running, with inventory targeting a relaunch this summer and a DTC focus. The brand is currently sold at  Ulta Beauty, Target, CVS, and Walgreens. It is probably safe to assume the stated DTC focus might mean the brand will put wholesale relationships on hold.IN THEIR OWN WORDS: KJ Miller, co-founder of Mented, said to Beauty Independent, “They [West Lane] have extensive knowledge of the beauty industry. Beyond that, I respect and admire the team....