Scrolling through a beauty retailer’s homepage reveals its hierarchy. A “clean,” “sophisticated,” and “effortless” look is appropriately promoted on a daily basis. Bold makeup can be “creative,” “dramatic,” or “editorial.”
Language is important.
Makeup artist Alicia Wainwright explains, “Deeper skin treats bold color like personality; lighter skin treats it like fashion.” One face has the same burgundy lip that says chic and the other has the word statement written on it.
Our corporate guidelines quietly reflect this. HR training materials often include advice for “neutral makeup,” a tone closer to beige than brown. A woman reports receiving compliments on how she looks “more approachable” after toning down the color of the lipstick she’s been wearing for years.
There’s nothing inherently better about minimal makeup. The problem is when sensitivity becomes coded professionalism.
Black women have invented different beauty cultures. Full beat of celebration. Skin tone for errands. A fun graphic liner. We naturally move between them. However, trends continue to rank them morally.
The problem is not soft grams. The problem is the suggestion that softness equals seriousness.
Makeup is meant to express mood, not manage perception.
Source: Pride Magazine – www.pridemagazine.com
