I’m sure you’ve heard that old adage “Beauty is in
the eye of the beholder”. The media has long supported narrow parameters to
define classic beauty traits, but something is changing. As world demographics
expand a mix of cultures, people are no longer satisfied with old standards and
are demanding a diversity that mirrors their everyday experiences. Beauty
brands are increasingly recruiting minority women to serve as the new face of
their cosmetic lines.
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| Jourdan Dunn |
Most recently, British supermodel Jourdan Dunn has
been tapped to represent Maybelline NY. In their announcement that Dunn will be
their official new spokeswoman, the company offered the following statement:
“Jourdan’s looks, style and positive energy are
perfect for the Maybelline New York brand. She truly reflects Maybelline’s
vision of global beauty.”
Note that Jourdan Dunn is no newcomer to the
cosmetic industry. In addition to her role as a top runway model, she’s already
the face of YSL’s touché éclat concealer, Burberry Beauty and CK One’s Red
fragrance. In spite of those special achievements, the British beauty says she’s
excited about her new gig with Maybelline NY, saying “To be a part of that is a
dream come true”.
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| Lupita Nyong'o |
This month, Lancôme Paris — the luxury cosmetics
goliath — signed Nyong’o as its latest celebrity face, adding her to a list of
highly paid A-list alumnae who have included Penelope Cruz, Julia Roberts and
Kate Winslet. Silvia Galfo, senior vice president for marketing at Lancôme,
said from Paris, “She came out of nowhere, and suddenly you see her being the
most coveted ‘it’ girl.”
Suddenly, the mysterious arbiters whom Nyong’o
described in a moving speech written for the Essence Best in Black Beauty
Awards as “the faraway gatekeepers of beauty” seemed to realize “the deeper business
of being beautiful inside”. Lancome executives did when they signed the actress
to a contract likely to be worth millions of dollars.
American entertainers are joining the growing trend
including Kerry Washington, Kelly Rowland, Zoe Saldana and Queen Latifah. Suddenly,
black is beautiful which makes me think of Karyn Washington, a motivational
blogger who preached self- love and uplifted dark-skinned black girls and
women. I remember the Sounds of Blackness singing “hold on a change is coming”
and with recent happening in the world of beauty, it may finally be happening.
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