Ashy Blushes for our Black-Ass Cheeks
Let’s talk makeup!
Welcome to This Black-Ass Life! This week, we want to talk about makeup and our Black asses.
l. The Facts
Makeup has been around for as long as people have been around. In America, major cosmetic brands were established in the early 20th century and simply pretended that Black people did not exist. So Black entrepreneurs, like Madam C.J. Walker, developed hair care and beauty products specifically for Black women.
Along with the development of Black makeup in the mid-20th century, beauty manufacturers were all too happy to also market skin lighteners, reinforcing colorism and the very open secret of hating dark-skinned women.
While Black entrepreneurs continued to make strides in widening shade ranges and challenge the industry’s exclusionary practices (i.e., Eunice Johnson’s Fashion Fair Cosmetics), brands still carried very limited shade ranges through the 90s and aughts. It was almost comical to walk into a CVS and see colors ranging from beige and ivory, to ocher and buff for white women, and then the deep shade of Jada Pinkett-Smith’s hue as the offer for darker skinned women. If a brand was inclusive, you might also see a mysterious shade called ‘olive.’
In 2017, Rihanna revolutionized the industry with Fenty Beauty, ushering in what is now known as the “Fenty Effect.” Rihanna’s initial launch of Fenty Beauty offered 40 foundation shades. She set a new standard for inclusivity, and because of her success, other brands expanded their shade ranges and focused more on diversity in their products.
Why does it matter?
Seven years later, and despite the Fenty Effect, the beauty industry remains an inhospitable and unkind place for Black women, especially young dark-skinned women.
Black women are being bullied on social media for literally stating the obvious. When TikToker Golloria uplifts brands that other darker-skinned people can use and calls in lack of tone inclusivity among other brands, she is met with vitriol. She is currently taking a break from social media due to the aggressiveness of colorist, racist, and misogynistic comments attacking her for plainly showing why products do not work for her.
It’s not just the comments. Why do young Black women like Golloria, Anayke She, and Toni Bravo have to perform the often painful labor of putting products on their faces they were told would work for them that simply don’t? Why play in their face and send products they simply cannot use?
Ugly comments, PR packages sent to influencers reminding them the products are not meant for them, hate disguised as questions, and feedback on how to apply (as if application is the issue) are a heavy burden to carry for wanting some damn foundation.
All the while, brands are in fact thanking these influencers and improving their products based on the feedback they receive, reaching even more audiences with more inclusive product lines.
At the end of the day, the internet haters get to hate; and the makeup companies improve their products and line their pockets based on the labor of these young Black women. Everyone wins — except young, dark-skinned creators whose literal mental health and safety is threatened.
What can my Black ass do?
Center dark-skinned Black women, and believe them the first time!
Give thanks to Black Opal, the only makeup line available in my (Jumoke’s) neck of the woods growing up in Missouri and needing non-pasty ass makeup. Also, what the Queen’s Collection did for me in high school?! More shouts to Queen Latifah. THE Cover Girl.
If you’re a makeup person, check out these Black-owned brands: Danessa Myricks Beauty, Mented Cosmetics, The Lip Bar, and Javon Ford Beauty.
II. Other Things
Black-ass happenings.
By UNANIMOUS vote, A’ja Wilson is the MVP.
An interview with underrated star Djimon Honsou.
Brandy gave it all for her latest film.
Star actor, rapper, singer, and fine leading man puller, Queen Latifah, is getting a well-deserved biopic. We of course want an exploration of her vast career but also we must know how she has simply never had a bad hair day!
We have a trailer for the animated adaptation of Everybody Hates Chris.
Our Black-Ass song(s) of the week (Jumoke):
We are a few days past the first night of September but it’s always time for Earth, Wind, and Fire. Although their name says otherwise, Heatwave was made for Autumn, not Summer.
Things we look forward to / Things we recommend:
I (Jumoke) look forward to heading back to the continent in a few weeks. Africa, here I come!!
I (Mitu) look forward to soups and stews. Tis’ the season!
lll. Competitiveness from a Black-Ass Spoons Player
Why does spoons get this serious?
Stay Black, have a snack, and take a nap today.