Now that my new book, Vintage Black Glamour, is officially out of my hands (and hopefully, on the way to your doorstep!) I am getting back on the beauty blogging horse! I'm the type of person who believes in signs so when I heard that Academy Award winning actress, Her Royal Fabulousness Lupita Nyong'o, was finally signed to a world-reknown beauty behemoth, I was thrilled! Lancome is just the right sort of approachable undeniable luxury I'd expect for Lupita. She may be their first black celebrity spokesperson, but Lancome signed black Dominican model Arlenis Sosa in 2008 so, they are no stranger to brown girls. Or, at least, so I thought! Sometimes, you have to remember that everyone is not a beauty blogger or even a beauty junkie like you who feels like Sephora (and Ulta, and Blue Mercury...) is their second home. I was stunned to see so many of my brown sisters on Instagram and Facebook saying, "Yay, Lupita! But does Lancome have makeup for her complexion? For OUR complexion?!"
Well, of course they do! My friend and beauty empress Afrobella addressed this on her site and Facebook page and Lupita & Lancome shared the look she sported in the Women's Wear Daily story about Lupita's deal. The brands who do NOT have colors for darker shades have long been outnumbered. However, unless you are a true makeup junkie, you wouldn't know because too many of them don't put a lot of effort into advertising the range of shades they have made available. It's a shame that it is so rare for darker skin to be touted in the beauty industry that a large portion of potential consumers aren't aware that the right products in the right shades are indeed available to them. That type of assumption does not come out of nowhere - it comes from years of feeling invisible and underrepresented in the global media landscape. Lupita, in speaking about her admiration for model Alek Wek, told WWD, “When she came on the scene, I felt more seen. Having me on a huge campaign like this will hopefully do that for other girls or people who feel unseen or underseen.”
I believe it will Lupita, I believe it will. Now, if we can get you on the big screen in Americanah. And, Star Wars, of course...
Foundation and Powder: Teint Idole Ultra 24H in 550 Suede C and Dual Finish - Versatile Powder Makeup in 550 Suede (C)
Lipstick: L'Absolu Rouge lipstick in Amande Sucree.
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