Beauty is by far one of the most accessible industries. With little effort, it transcends generational and gender divides. While the wall of inclusivity when it comes to skin tone has always been challenging, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty launch with 40 foundation shades shifted the conversation. Since the launch in 2017, shade inclusivity has become a top priority for beauty brands and is still highly regarded in terms of what makes a foundation launch successful. However, usability is just as meaningful as the number of SKUs. Quantity almost never outweighs quality—and in our social media-fueled world, Black consumers look to content creators to deliver the real tea on how well a product actually works.
Is this bronzer deep enough to actually bronze my skin? Does this setting powder leave a white cast? Will this viral lipstick shade complement brown and black complexions? These are just a few of the many questions that creators help demystify on their platforms.
As a Black woman with a healthy enthusiasm for makeup, I’ve long looked to beauty mavens like Jackie Aina for insight into new launches before heading to my local Sephora. As a Black beauty editor with access to industry experts, I still look to creators for that same insight. Consumers like myself rely on these reviews and swatch tests while not-so-secretly hoping that brands are taking note. So, when famed beauty influencer Golloria posted a TikTok revealing that one of the most talked about brands in the industry heard her and reached out, it was music to my ears.
In terms of inclusive shades and product diversity for deep complexions, Golloria’s reviews are top-tier. As an influencer in a highly judgmental space, she has never been afraid to “complain” for the greater cause. Her viral review of Youthforia’s Date Night Skin Tint serum foundation sparked a much-needed conversation about the development process of deep-colored foundations. Recently she has begun to tackle blush formulations, shedding light on which brands appear ashy or washed on dark skin. Many brands have been called out (including Fenty’s recent launch), but her review of Rhode’s viral Pocket Blushes struck a chord (a very loud one with 12.3 million views and a follow-up video). After hearing the beloved blushes received an ashy rating, the brand reached out to work with Golloria to formulate a new version that worked well with deep skin tones. The result, as she so eloquently put it, is called Redemption.
In 2024, it’s almost laughable that Black women are still “complaining” about shade inclusivity, but with creators like Golloria continuously advocating, there is hope that brands will finally begin to listen. I get it. Not all brands have the means to create new products at lightning speed like Rhode. Still, that doesn’t mean the message can’t or shouldn’t be received.
The beauty industry thrives on social commentary. Speaking up has always been important, and Golloria’s “Rhode to Redemption” shows firsthand how fruitful it can be—especially for products with viral potential. When Patrick Ta announced his first foundation launch, the beauty set went crazy. Those who know know that Ta is the king of creating a flawless complexion.
Videos of anticipation flooded TikTok but Golloria’s stood out for a different reason. She began the clip with a message of gratitude to the artist for reaching out to do her makeup, stating that in her two years of influencing, he was the first MUA to ask to do her makeup. The glam videos that followed are absolutely stunning (as if we expected anything less) and are a reminder of how advocating in this industry can pay off. I think Coco Chanel said it best, “Beauty begins when you decide to be yourself.” So as we continue to strive for diverse shades and more universal hero products, I want to thank Golloria for always being herself and never shying away from what’s real.
