Random WOC Makeup Thoughts

[Jayjayy]

Oh lord, yall done brought up the Born this Way foundation and that shade range pissed me off to the highest pisstivity!!!! Their shade range is inexcusable and I can't believe they didn't get called out more!

Of course I know a TON of people who think even a MAC lipstick is overpriced (everybody but us lol), but those people exist in all parts of the spectrum. The WOC I know who are into makeup are tired of the drugstore not catering to our needs and primarily purchase high-end. Why should we be limited to Revlon Colorstay, L'Oreal True Match, and Black Opal, only if you're lucky enough to live where the 2 dark shades are carried? It's the oldest excuse in the book, we aren't selling to them because they won't want it anyway. I wouldn't spend $100 on a foundation that only has 2 brown shades to choose from either, unless the entire foundation range consisted of 4-5 shades only.

And as far as YT goes there is only a small selection of black beauty "gurus" to watch. A lot of them are recommending ashy makeup like that damn Born this Way and IT Cosmetics CC Cream to fit in with the rest of YoutubeLand. And Jaclyn Hill can continue to do the same basic makeup look including a pound of white highlighter for her next 100 videos, and continue to endorsements and sponsorships as if she's representative of the entire population. It may seem as though we aren't consuming like other groups, but the real issue is a lack of items to consume.

 

[Shars]

Sisley foundation cost over $100 and they have 2 dark to deep shades. I went to see if I matched to one and I do and I bought it. How many of you are willing to pay $100 for foundation? My YSL foundation works just fine for half the price but I want Sisley to continue to produce dark to deep shades so I'm going to support. You can't get mad when high end brands over look us when you don't support them anyway and the numbers prove we don't.

I might be in the minority on this, but I do not agree with this perspective. I think it's a cop-out. Every brand has to do ground work and invest in prospective customers. Perhaps if they would offer things in our shades - and when I say our shades, I don't mean that one foundation labelled deep that's not even deep enough for NW40 ladies - we would buy more stuff. Do you know how many times I've heard ladies I correspond with and clients I work with say, "Oh, I didn't know so and so brand sold stuff for us!" Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Dior, etc. You don't see black ladies on the ads, so as a consumer, you don't associate that brand as catering for deeper skin tones. I'm not going to buy your products if I don't know you cater for me. I can't know you cater for me, if you don't aggressively market to me. Perhaps if they would make the effort to have more aggressive marketing and more black faces on their ad campaigns, whether it be for foundation, blush, lip products etc., and convince us why we should buy their brand, we would patronise them. Black women are buying loads of things, high end and otherwise - contrary to popular belief. We're looking for options but everytime we go to the counters and swatch that deep foundation... we walk away because ish ain't that deep. Look at how other brands like Lancome have been able to grab a wealth of loyal brown and black customers: by aggressively marketing to us! It's no coincidence that they lapped up Lupity Nyongo when they did. All eyes were on her and all they did was shift the eyes to her AND them. It can be done. Brands just need to be willing to make the investment. The rewards are for generations to come. These caucasian ladies aren't loyal to Chanel, Dior and D&G because they have money to spend or are willing to spend that kind of money on cosmetics - they are loyal because it's the makeup they mother and grandmother wore. Same as for black people - we go for Maybelline and Revlon and Fashion Fair and now MAC because those are the brands our mothers and grandmothers swore by! Sorry for this length tirade but I don't buy that excuse from these brands. A MAC foundation costs $35 (and is ever increasing). NARS and Estee Lauder are the same price while Bobbi Brown and the likes of Dior etc. are like $10 more for probably way better quality... there's no excuse. Make me want it. Work for my loyalty! That's their job!

 

[Shars]

Oh lord, yall done brought up the Born this Way foundation and that shade range pissed me off to the highest pisstivity!!!! Their shade range is inexcusable and I can't believe they didn't get called out more!

Of course I know a TON of people who think even a MAC lipstick is overpriced (everybody but us lol), but those people exist in all parts of the spectrum. The WOC I know who are into makeup are tired of the drugstore not catering to our needs and primarily purchase high-end. Why should we be limited to Revlon Colorstay, L'Oreal True Match, and Black Opal, only if you're lucky enough to live where the 2 dark shades are carried? It's the oldest excuse in the book, we aren't selling to them because they won't want it anyway. I wouldn't spend $100 on a foundation that only has 2 brown shades to choose from either, unless the entire foundation range consisted of 4-5 shades only.

And as far as YT goes there is only a small selection of black beauty "gurus" to watch. A lot of them are recommending ashy makeup like that damn Born this Way and IT Cosmetics CC Cream to fit in with the rest of YoutubeLand. And Jaclyn Hill can continue to do the same basic makeup look including a pound of white highlighter for her next 100 videos, and continue to endorsements and sponsorships as if she's representative of the entire population. It may seem as though we aren't consuming like other groups, but the real issue is a lack of items to consume.

Same thing I just posted!! It's only since Jackie Aina called out a lot of brands for not including enough darker skinned ladies in their posts that some of them changed. Becca has been posting a lot more and so has Anastasia Beverly Hills. I blame us too. We see that gorgeous makeup in an IG photo of a dark or deep skinned lady and we say that's nice and keep it moving. The reason why Jaclyn Hill is so popular and so successful is because she has a ton of likes and a ton of follows - not because she is particularly good at what she does. I try to make the effort to like and share any pics of makeup or any brown/black social makeup personalities because if we don't support us, who will?

 

[Prettypackages]

I have to disagree with Purple, and I agree with Jay and Shars. haven't they repeadetly come out with surveys that WOC, black people, spend more than any other group? I tend to ignore brands that don't go past my shade in foundations. Now if they go past my shade but don't have a shade for me, I'll still support. But I was also pissed at Too Faced BTW foundation. I think I had a decent match, buy refused to buy it. I think I'll start using the poison pen along with that. I also think it's a lack of advertising, those brands just aren't interested in us b/c they are sustainable whether we buy or not. If there was a $100 foundation in my shade that was perfect and had some skin benefits, I'd snap it up. I also don't buy black opal, CG Queen (did they really have to launch a sep line though?) and other drugstore brands b/c it's incovenient. Not all drugstores carry them, and they don't have testers. So I ignore them all together. I have friend who doesn't buy MAC anymore, not because she thinks it's expensive, she is tired of them doing the same thing over and over.

 

[Prettypackages]

Oh and I've been trying to wear Armani Silk Foundation for years. They don't make a shade for me. I'd have to mix it with a fluid sheer. So there's that. I was also disappointed in UD's Naked line, especially the new concealer, so I've lost all interest in everything else they do.

 

[Prettypackages]

Salon Rouge is beautiful!!! I don't have Kinky but she is pretty too! I really like the red in the holiday lip bag but don't want the gloss and already have the pencil

 

[Vandekamp]

I saw this at my CCO, should i get it?

I'm not sure which shade you were referring to. If you were referring to Kinky, the answer is YES!!!!

 

[sagehen]

I saw this at my CCO, should i get it? 

I dunno if you mean Kinky or Salon Rouge, but yes to either.

 

[Shars]

I have to disagree with Purple, and I agree with Jay and Shars. haven't they repeadetly come out with surveys that WOC, black people, spend more than any other group? I tend to ignore brands that don't go past my shade in foundations. Now if they go past my shade but don't have a shade for me, I'll still support. But I was also pissed at Too Faced BTW foundation. I think I had a decent match, buy refused to buy it. I think I'll start using the poison pen along with that. I also think it's a lack of advertising, those brands just aren't interested in us b/c they are sustainable whether we buy or not. If there was a $100 foundation in my shade that was perfect and had some skin benefits, I'd snap it up. I also don't buy black opal, CG Queen (did they really have to launch a sep line though?) and other drugstore brands b/c it's incovenient. Not all drugstores carry them, and they don't have testers. So I ignore them all together. I have friend who doesn't buy MAC anymore, not because she thinks it's expensive, she is tired of them doing the same thing over and over.

That's the next thing. If they do get some brown skin friendly stuff, they feel like they have to treat us like a class of women by ourselves. I appreciate what they tried to do but it was sooo unnecessary.

 

[Prettypackages]

That's the next thing. If they do get some brown skin friendly stuff, they feel like they have to treat us like a class of women by ourselves. I appreciate what they tried to do but it was sooo unnecessary.

exactly!

 

[pinkcrush]

Salon Rouge is a buy!!! I can swatch if needed

 

[Sugar & Spice]

Oh lord, yall done brought up the Born this Way foundation and that shade range pissed me off to the highest pisstivity!!!! Their shade range is inexcusable and I can't believe they didn't get called out more!

Of course I know a TON of people who think even a MAC lipstick is overpriced (everybody but us lol), but those people exist in all parts of the spectrum. The WOC I know who are into makeup are tired of the drugstore not catering to our needs and primarily purchase high-end. Why should we be limited to Revlon Colorstay, L'Oreal True Match, and Black Opal, only if you're lucky enough to live where the 2 dark shades are carried? It's the oldest excuse in the book, we aren't selling to them because they won't want it anyway. I wouldn't spend $100 on a foundation that only has 2 brown shades to choose from either, unless the entire foundation range consisted of 4-5 shades only.

And as far as YT goes there is only a small selection of black beauty "gurus" to watch. A lot of them are recommending ashy makeup like that damn Born this Way and IT Cosmetics CC Cream to fit in with the rest of YoutubeLand. And Jaclyn Hill can continue to do the same basic makeup look including a pound of white highlighter for her next 100 videos, and continue to endorsements and sponsorships as if she's representative of the entire population. It may seem as though we aren't consuming like other groups, but the real issue is a lack of items to consume.

I see your point of view especially about he youtube gurus that continue to wear makeup that doesn't suit them. There is makeup out there that suits deep skin but a lot of dark to deep skin women are persistent in wearing makeup that is too light for their complexion and colors that clash. That makes WOC think there aren't any shades that are available for us which isn't true. As I stated the makeup is out there for those that are interested but you have to be willing to spend the money and most WOC are not willing to go above MAC prices.

 

[AnastasiaRuth]

I might be in the minority on this, but I do not agree with this perspective. I think it's a cop-out. Every brand has to do ground work and invest in prospective customers. Perhaps if they would offer things in our shades - and when I say our shades, I don't mean that one foundation labelled deep that's not even deep enough for NW40 ladies - we would buy more stuff. Do you know how many times I've heard ladies I correspond with and clients I work with say, "Oh, I didn't know so and so brand sold stuff for us!" Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Dior, etc. You don't see black ladies on the ads, so as a consumer, you don't associate that brand as catering for deeper skin tones. I'm not going to buy your products if I don't know you cater for me. I can't know you cater for me, if you don't aggressively market to me. Perhaps if they would make the effort to have more aggressive marketing and more black faces on their ad campaigns, whether it be for foundation, blush, lip products etc., and convince us why we should buy their brand, we would patronise them. Black women are buying loads of things, high end and otherwise - contrary to popular belief. We're looking for options but everytime we go to the counters and swatch that deep foundation... we walk away because ish ain't that deep. Look at how other brands like Lancome have been able to grab a wealth of loyal brown and black customers: by aggressively marketing to us! It's no coincidence that they lapped up Lupity Nyongo when they did. All eyes were on her and all they did was shift the eyes to her AND them. It can be done. Brands just need to be willing to make the investment. The rewards are for generations to come. These caucasian ladies aren't loyal to Chanel, Dior and D&G because they have money to spend or are willing to spend that kind of money on cosmetics - they are loyal because it's the makeup they mother and grandmother wore. Same as for black people - we go for Maybelline and Revlon and Fashion Fair and now MAC because those are the brands our mothers and grandmothers swore by! Sorry for this length tirade but I don't buy that excuse from these brands. A MAC foundation costs $35 (and is ever increasing). NARS and Estee Lauder are the same price while Bobbi Brown and the likes of Dior etc. are like $10 more for probably way better quality... there's no excuse. Make me want it. Work for my loyalty! That's their job!

Pretty much what I was gonna say.

 

[Sugar & Spice]

I might be in the minority on this, but I do not agree with this perspective. I think it's a cop-out. Every brand has to do ground work and invest in prospective customers. Perhaps if they would offer things in our shades - and when I say our shades, I don't mean that one foundation labelled deep that's not even deep enough for NW40 ladies - we would buy more stuff. Do you know how many times I've heard ladies I correspond with and clients I work with say, "Oh, I didn't know so and so brand sold stuff for us!" Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Dior, etc. You don't see black ladies on the ads, so as a consumer, you don't associate that brand as catering for deeper skin tones. I'm not going to buy your products if I don't know you cater for me. I can't know you cater for me, if you don't aggressively market to me. Perhaps if they would make the effort to have more aggressive marketing and more black faces on their ad campaigns, whether it be for foundation, blush, lip products etc., and convince us why we should buy their brand, we would patronise them. Black women are buying loads of things, high end and otherwise - contrary to popular belief. We're looking for options but everytime we go to the counters and swatch that deep foundation... we walk away because ish ain't that deep. Look at how other brands like Lancome have been able to grab a wealth of loyal brown and black customers: by aggressively marketing to us! It's no coincidence that they lapped up Lupity Nyongo when they did. All eyes were on her and all they did was shift the eyes to her AND them. It can be done. Brands just need to be willing to make the investment. The rewards are for generations to come. These caucasian ladies aren't loyal to Chanel, Dior and D&G because they have money to spend or are willing to spend that kind of money on cosmetics - they are loyal because it's the makeup they mother and grandmother wore. Same as for black people - we go for Maybelline and Revlon and Fashion Fair and now MAC because those are the brands our mothers and grandmothers swore by! Sorry for this length tirade but I don't buy that excuse from these brands. A MAC foundation costs $35 (and is ever increasing). NARS and Estee Lauder are the same price while Bobbi Brown and the likes of Dior etc. are like $10 more for probably way better quality... there's no excuse. Make me want it. Work for my loyalty! That's their job!

No apologies needed you made some valid points especially about the brands jumping on the opportunity like Lancôme did with Lupity. I agree with the generational point as well but are we going to stay stuck in the past or take advantage of the brands effort? If the brand is at least trying then I feel they deserve a chance, Tom Ford has Black women in his campaigns and have deep shades but every year WOC shades are on the chopping block because it's not selling. Brands are trying and the results are the same, we're not buying. Whether they make the effort or not the results don't change so you can't blame them when they give up or don't consider us at all.

 

[Sugar & Spice]

Same thing I just posted!! It's only since Jackie Aina called out a lot of brands for not including enough darker skinned ladies in their posts that some of them changed. Becca has been posting a lot more and so has Anastasia Beverly Hills. I blame us too. We see that gorgeous makeup in an IG photo of a dark or deep skinned lady and we say that's nice and keep it moving. The reason why Jaclyn Hill is so popular and so successful is because she has a ton of likes and a ton of follows - not because she is particularly good at what she does. I try to make the effort to like and share any pics of makeup or any brown/black social makeup personalities because if we don't support us, who will?

That's exactly what I'm saying, we are the blame as well because we're not supporting. How can anything change when we're not supporting each other and the brands that are making an effort. We are our own worse enemy so you can't blame when others follow suit. Rihannia is starting an agency to help makeup artist, etc. get their skill out there to celebs and this can be huge for WOC because it is an opportunity that otherwise they probably wouldn't get. We have to give each opportunities, you see a WOC SA at the store buy your products from her. Not saying you need to patronize WOC SAs only but wouldn't you want to deal with someone who has the same complexion as you? I have SAs from all races in various stores however if there is a WOC SA with a brand I buy from, I make sure to give her some business.

 

[Jayjayy]

I dunno if you mean Kinky or Salon Rouge, but yes to either.

I love this answer...in true Spectra fashion, get both!

 

[Vandekamp]

I love this answer...in true Spectra fashion, get both!

Get get get it get it. That's how we roll around here. 24/7, money or no money.

 

[Prettypackages]

That's exactly what I'm saying, we are the blame as well because we're not supporting. How can anything change when we're not supporting each other and the brands that are making an effort. We are our own worse enemy so you can't blame when others follow suit. Rihannia is starting an agency to help makeup artist, etc. get their skill out there to celebs and this can be huge for WOC because it is an opportunity that otherwise they probably wouldn't get. We have to give each opportunities, you see a WOC SA at the store buy your products from her. Not saying you need to patronize WOC SAs only but wouldn't you want to deal with someone who has the same complexion as you? I have SAs from all races in various stores however if there is a WOC SA with a brand I buy from, I make sure to give her some business.

I honestly haven't paid attn to this b/c outside of MAC, there weren't a whole lot of WOC SA's. There is now one in Bobbi Brown, but MAC and Bobbi is it. Damn... this isn't right. Not right at all.

 

[Sugar & Spice]

didn't know.  I won't buy his lipsticks anymore, but I will pay attn to everything else from now on.  I honestly haven't paid attn to this b/c outside of MAC, there weren't a whole lot of WOC SA's.  There is now one in Bobbi Brown, but MAC and Bobbi is it.    Damn...   this isn't right.  Not right at all. 

Yep we have to pull together and help each other or we're going to continue to be left out. We can prove there is a commanding market for us but we have to put our money where our mouth is, otherwise everything else is a mute and we will never be heard or taken seriously.

 

[lenchen]

Has anyone heard of the issues surrounding the original owner of black up cosmetics?

http://www.thestyleandbeautydoctor.com/2015/10/black-up-cosmetics-owner-qa/