|
Why are most big make up companies so blatantly racist?
At Walmart, it's pretty much impossible to get foundation in a shade darker than a "medium tan", aka somewhere between Mariah Carey and Rihanna's natural skin tone. Mind you, both women are mixed-race. Where does that leave the vast majority of black people, who aren't as fair skinned? I have to break the bank to afford upscale, specialist beauty brands, like IMAN, because my skin tone is deemed "too uncommon", despite there being more dark skinned people in the world than fair skinned? What else is there even, other than IMAN Cosmetics? IMAN is difficult to find as it is. Most Walmarts don't even carry the brand, even though when you walk through most Walmarts, you always see a diverse array of people. It's sad and ridiculous to me. I need foundation to even my skin tone, but I've literally never bought it before, or BB creams, and/or etc., because I haven't been able to find affordable ones in my complexion. The average black person's skin tone is closer to Lupita Nyongo'o's than Halle Berry's. If we can have makeup for the fairest of fair skin, why not a proper range from light to dark, and not just light to "medium tan"? I can't. Even the phrasing, "medium tan" is Euro-centric. According to these racist makeup companies, are celebrities like Mindy Kaling and Kelly Rowland just "super tanned"?
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Random Weirdos?
Dragonflymagic is correct in what she is saying concerning how individual locations of chain stores are marketed. Demographics play a large part in how they stock their shelves. I spent 30 years selling into the wholesale supply trades and the first thing I needed to do in looking for new distribution was find out the demographics of the trade a targeted account dealt with.
I do think though you have a good point in that the manufactures are missing a large portion of the population by not marketing makeup for the darker skin tones. Now it could be that their marketing surveys are not returning the information they need to invest in whatever it will cost them to bring this makeup to market. This maybe because the darker toned skinned people have settled for what is out there and not informed manufactures of what they want and need or where they wanted made available to them.
If a manufacturer were to receive enough letters or emails requesting more affordable and better colors and tones of make up be made available through Target, Wal-Mart and other such outlets. Then they may just see what they are missing or at the very least the errors of their marketing surveys.
What I suggest is start a writing campaign among your friends. Target one or two companies and go to their social media pages. Start a campaign of the different social media asking others to voice their opinion on the companies social media pages. You will be surprised how fast something like this can catch on.
I cannot guarantee they will come out with the makeup you want though you will get an answer.
]
What I have found in using Walmart's cus that's the range of what my wallet will allow for costs is the Walmart adjusts what products they sell in general, not just makeup, based on what the highest concentration of race lives in the vicinity. My local Walmart seems to cater to Hispanics. So many of the products are all written in Spanish which I can't read with no English translation anywhere to be seen. I find it odd that if English for call centers, or public services offices is in an area mostly white, that there is a Spanish option. However I feel left out and uncomfortable if i want to use an particular item or establishment but they are strictly Spanish speaking and do not offer English translation. Depending on where you look, you will find these kinds of issues everywhere. No it's not fair. Just on the side, if darker skinned people are the majority, what of the countries where whites are few, what do those women wear in makeup? You may be able to purchase makeup on the web from another country where the great demand is for makeup for darker skinned women. Unfortunately, you won't be able to try or sample them. I know this sounds horrible, but perhaps right now the only quick remedy to get some makeup you need in correct shades is to check demographic areas of other Walmarts, choose those in predominently 'Black' area's and then call to speak to the person who handles stocking the makeup/beauty/personal care items and ask them if they carry shades for darker women or heck, even hair care for African-American women.
You have a valid complaint but Walmart is unlikely to change, even with complaints, it's all about the big buck, what they can sell most of, not meeting everyone's needs. Good Luck!
]
I DO know what you mean here because im actually "olive" skin toned and its difficult for even the mac people to create a foundation shade for me that looks right. So in THAT aspect i get the frustration here totally.
I think when it comes to walmart, that it may be that they just want to sell what there is the highest demand for. For me personally i have to use a BB cream, a base cream, and then a lighter foundation then is what my real skin tone is just to cover my face and even then i have to do a "conture" styled look (which thankfully is popular) and i used to be a MODEL here. you would think i would have gotten it right by now but apparently my skin tone is rare too.
Your skin tone can also change throughout the year or just when its more sunny then other times and you have to find make up to match that.
Alot of make up companies will sometimes only start out with what is most popular or what is in high demand so they can rake in the cash and then will SOMETIMES offer other tones later down the line when their more established as a company. So alot of it is just about raking in the cash, i dont think its out and out racism.
]
More Questions: |