Source: Rihanna’s Instagram Page @badgalriri
Diversity in the makeup industry has been an ongoing issue for a long time. Many attempts have been made to provide “inclusive shades” of makeup for all skin colors and tones, but it seems that there is always someone left out. Women of pale and dark skin tones are still often unable to find matching foundations. Walking through a Sephora store in the past, you may have seen numerous product lines with the same shades. However, that all changed a week ago with the launch of Fenty Beauty.
Who would have thought that Rihanna would be the one to change it all? But in fact, the well-known pop artist and self-proclaimed “Bad Gal” has been working on this project for the last two years, and according to the rave reviews on the forty shades offered, she may have just revolutionized the makeup industry and challenged the big players to follow suit.
Although her line was released a week ago, the buzz has yet to die down. Rihanna truly changed the makeup industry. Normally, when you speak on diversity within the beauty industry, the focus is on darker shades, as darker women of color have been notoriously underserved in the beauty industry. Offering darker shades and catering to women of color is often the focus when a line does attempt to broaden their target market. What makes the Fenty Beauty line so remarkable is that in addition to hitting the mark on offering darker shades, the line also offers lighter shades that some say have solved their struggle of finding a match for their light skin.
Krystal Robertson, an albino woman, took to social media to share her experience with the makeup line. In an Instagram post, Robertson stated the following
Source: Instagram @acondria
[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”auto” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]@fentybeauty I’m freaking out!!!” she captioned an Instagram showing off the new makeup on her skin. ”#110 #PerfextMatch 😂💯💯💯 #WhatSkin!!!! …rethinking all the times I ended up orange 😀😀😀 its a new world great job @badgalriri😍😍😍😍 #AlbinoMatch 😍💯[/dropshadowbox]
Since then, other albino women have shared their positive reviews of Fenty, launching the brand further into the media’s eyes and within competition’s view. In addition to the albino community, many women of various shades have raved about the brand. Based upon Rihanna’s campaign ad, it’s clear that Inclusivity was her goal, and it’s safe to say that she nailed it
Since the launch, other brands have already made attempts to be diverse. From Loreal to Estee Lauder, you can see brands taking to social media to post new shades. Estee Lauder’s recent post is below:
Source: Instagram @EsteeLaude
Rihanna has stirred up the industry and shone a light on a market that the beauty industry has ignored for too long. Pop Sugar reported that since the launch Sephora locations are seeing more customers of color than before. Of course, it would be better received if other brands chose to do this originally. However, you can’t help but say “Well Done” to Rihanna for forcing them to step up and see the value in ALL shades. Great Job, “Bad Gal”, you have created something “So Good” for many women.
