It’s no secret that I love makeup. But as a woman of color (WOC), it didn’t take long for me to discover that there are problems in the beauty industry. Certain problems that at times frustrate me because I may walk into a beauty store and scour the internet and not find the solution I’m looking for. Simple solutions that are targeted towards women of other shades but not targeted towards WOC.
Most of these issues WOC have learned to just live with, but why? Why do we choose to just “take what we can get” over speaking up and demanding change? Obviously the beauty industry isn’t the biggest problem we face when it comes to racial issues in America, but awareness is important. Through having these conversations (and more) we’re able to open the narrative to even more issues. You never know what someone is faced with until you sit down and listen to their point of view.
We’re excluded from certain “trends”
The first trend that comes to my mind is bronzing. For whatever reason, beauty brands don’t understand that black women love having a “sun-kissed” glow just as much as the next woman. There are women out there much darker than me and still don’t have a seat at the table when it comes to finding a bronzer, a shade darker than their complexion to add warmth to their face.
It took years for me to find a bronzer I love, mainly because the options are few and far in between. Fenty has been a game-changer when it comes to creating an inclusive line off of the bat. For the first time, I’ve been able to use a bronzer (not a darker powder foundation?) to bronze with!
For color reference, I use Coco Naughty in the Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer.
Drugstore colors are limited
As much as I love the luxury and quality of high-end foundations, I also love a good deal. I love finding that perfect drugstore foundation that brings the heat like a high-end foundation. But unfortunately, most drugstore brands don’t bring the array of undertones and shades that high-foundation does. For most drugstore foundations I usually have to choose 1 of 3 brown shades in the store and hope for the best. This doesn’t cut it most of the time. Yes, I’m aware that you can search “more options” online but that defeats the purpose of the convenience of drug store brands.
It’s hard for us to find accurate swatches
In the last year, a lot more brands have been showing swatches on multiple complexions. But this hasn’t always been the norm and we need ALL brands to step up to the plate. For the longest, it was almost as if certain brands didn’t take into account that WOC would wear their products. Brands aren’t taking into account that what is “nude” on a fair skin woman wouldn’t be “nude” on a woman with a deeper complexion.
Black-owned representation
If you research black-owned makeup brands in major retailers, the list is quite pitiful. Yes, there are a few but I know there’s so much more out there! It’s important to have brands created by WOC to better meet and understand the needs of WOC. It’s important for retailers to realize this to better meet the needs of ALL consumers. I would love to see more black-owned makeup companies featured in stores in the future. Some major retailers are agreeing to the 15% pledge created by @aurorajames! To read more and find out what brands have taken the pledge, check out 15percentpledge.org. This pledge applies to all brands! This addresses the needs of so many people! Not just the problems WOC are faced with when it comes to the beauty industry.
This list barely touches the surface but it’s a start. WOC come in all shades and hues and all of our beauty problems are different! If you’re a woman of color I’d love to hear any other problems you’ve found in the comments below. If you’re not, I would love to hear if you’ve learned anything new. Or if you were aware of these issues.
An open dialogue is important so that we can learn and grow from all of our experiences!
XO
Michelle
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