The Truth on the State of Beauty

Hello, ladies! Recently, I’ve been thinking about the current state of beauty: we live in a society where media and several other influencers are dictating what beauty is. As a make-up artist, my job is to enhance one’s beauty by covering a flaw or blemish. I also make it a point of creating an experience for my clients, where they feel beautiful inside and that easily transfers to the exterior. I work with an array of clients and events, including New York Fashion Week. I’ve had the opportunity to join a session where the model coordinator decides what’s hot and what’s not, and it’s sad that the chances of me seeing an abundance of someone that looks like me on the runway is slim.

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It amazes me how beauty has evolved over my 10-plus years in the industry. Still, I find the state of beauty to be something that’s not really being addressed.

Most of us are conforming to what the media, influencers, and product makers are suggesting creates “beauty.”

It really bothers me as a woman of color that commercials, print ads, or campaigns that are being created today aren’t catered to my skin tone, which makes me ask, Is my brown not beautiful?

When it comes to products, for instance, I notice a lot brands are incorporating videos in to their social media mix since the digital world has become a staple part to furthering any brand.

It isn’t fair when a brand offers three shades (light, medium, and dark) of blush and then creates a video to demo only the lighter shade.

In fact, typically they will only show a pale- skinned person demonstrating how the light and sometimes medium blush colors look on a lighter skin tone but not the dark blush.

So a brand will create a product that we as consumers should buy but not demonstrate what it actually looks like before we buy – something is wrong with that picture!

This is why I love what I do!

In addition to being a make-up artist, I am also a beauty influencer. Therefore, I work with
brands or companies, such as Ricky’s NYC, that allow me to do product reviews so you can see how different products would look like on you.

But that’s just half of the issue.

The other half of the issue is some of you may not like what I’m going to say, but it’s time for someone to say something.

I grew up in single-parent home with my two younger sisters.  My Mom and sisters were much lighter than I; I can recall wondering if something was wrong with me or if I was even adopted.

My Mom noticed how I felt and would catch me several times in the mirror. She used that has an opportunity to open up dialogue to discuss what defines beauty.

Today, I challenge parents or individuals that are influencers to our young girls to teach them what beauty is. Teach them to embrace how they were created and enjoy their less-chiseled bone structure, weight, and taste of style.

The discussions should start at home because the world isn’t kind or even correct with how it defines beauty.

Be sure to check out my latest video, “Quick Summer Natural Make Up Tutorial,” to see how I create a fresh everyday look here:

I’d love to hear from you: send me a beauty note at rj@renardajoynyc.com or let’s continue this discussion on Twitter at @rjnybeauty. Use hashtag #BrownIsBeautiful.

Until next time, stay beautiful!

Xoxo ~ RJ