Our world is becoming more aware of women of color in industries where they are the minority. In the media, black actresses are getting lead roles and winning Oscars. In the fashion industry, more models of color are appearing on runways where they have never previously debuted. Makeup is the one industry falling behind. 

Makeup companies have primarily provided product for white/fair-skinned women in a diverse world. Only recently have top-grossing companies like CoverGirl and L’Oreal started producing makeup for women of darker complexions. And even then, the companies create little product for dark skin. 

CoverGirl sells 21 products online in their “Queen” line for women of color. Stores provide even fewer. It is difficult to walk into a local CVS and find the right foundation or lipstick on the racks. 

Even in Fayette County, where blacks and Latinos combine for 22 percent of the population, there is not a wide variety of makeup for women of color in chains like CVS/Walgreens. There is not a lot of demand, therefore the supply is low. However, the small percentage should not serve as an explanation or excuse. 

Luckily, there are websites and stores where women of color can find makeup catered specifically for their skin. A personal favorite, black|Up Cosmetics, can now be found in Sephora stores everywhere. They sell lipsticks and foundations with the richer pigments necessary for ladies who were blessed with a little extra melanin.

Iman Cosmetics is another makeup champion. Iman features a wide variety of models on its websites, from women of varying skin tone and race. 

For some it can be hard to understand, but for a girl growing up in a world that wanted her to lighten her skin, hair and eyes, seeing people who look like her online is encouraging in the best ways.

Iman and black|UP are no more expensive than most products in Sephora or Ulta, but they are not cheap. Maybe in the future, when makeup for women of color is more of a commodity, prices will fall. 

For now, it is well worth the price. 

In a world that is becoming more aware of women of color, it is time for our foundation to do the same. black|UP products can be found in the Sephora at Fayette Mall, and Iman Cosmetics can be found at any local Ulta Beauty store.

Aspen Gage is the assistant features editor of the Kentucky Kernel.

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