The needs of Black Women are still being overlooked in the beauty industry. You’d think that as of this writing, in 2021, things would be different.
What are those needs? Hair stylist and makeup artist that understand Natural Black hair and skin care needs. You are not being hired for major runway shows. Go figure!
It’s not as if you don’t exist. Could an industry that’s given you a “handful” of Black and Beautiful models, still be shunning your beauty?
You know for a fact, that there are plenty of exceptional cosmetologist that cater specifically to natural hair care. So to does the industry! If you’re going to put these beautiful Black Women in your fashion shows, why not give them the same opportunity to have hair stylist and makeup artist that know their skin and hair? Me thinking out loud.
Both Naomi Sims and Iman are Black models who had to do their own makeup at fashion shows. Therefore, they created their own cosmetic lines.
Have You As Black Women Been Overlooked By the Beauty Industry In General?
Sure you have. A lot of you are too young to know that at one time, there were no beauty products on the shelves for Black Women. Black women could only purchase from beauty salons that sold a handful of products created for us by us.
Company’s like Poro Cosmetics, started by Annie Malone. She was the first to make hair and skin products for Black Women. Her student, Madam C.J. Walker, came along and developed a product line as well. There were other’s … Sarah Spencer Washington – Apex News and Hair Company, Nathaniel, Arthur and Emma Bronner – Bronner Bros., Eunice Johnson – Fashion Fair Cosmetics/Ebony Fashion Show, Willie Morrow- California Curl and author of 400 Years Without a Comb and Vera More – Vera More Cosmetics.
As for Annie Malone and Madame C.J. Walker, they had to travel on trains into hostile territories to get their products known. Mostly getting to know women in southern churches that could spread the word. They were some of the original multilevel marketers in our communities.
They created their own marketing and promotion pieces and sold thousands of products.
Is It Time for Black Folks to Create Their Own Beauty Industry?
There exist Black Beauty professionals and product developers of natural hair and skin care products. They can easily work mainstream fashion shows and provide the right makeup and natural hair products for Black models.
It’s not that you don’t know how. It’s that you’re not hired to do the jobs.
Not so long ago, in the scheme of things, there existed, the Ebony Fashion Show. Eunice Johnson provided an environment for Black models to work. They had hairstylist and makeup artist who knew their skin and hair.
Not only did she address hair and skin care, Black fashion designers were highlighted and gained prominence from her shows. Yes, she traveled the world to get clothes from top fashion designers. She understood how to work with the world and all of its talented people. Something others might want to think about.
When you look into the mirror of a thousand people and only see yourself, you ulitimately, miss out on the talents of others that could help raise all of you up.
That’s it for this week. As always …
Dedicated to Your Beauty,
Juliette Samuel,
Esthetician/Author/Publisher,
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