deep skin

Where do I begin?

I’ll just copy most of what I prepared for Instagram. It might be a little lengthier, but hang in there.

I’ve said this a few times on my stories. So much that I’ve been dreading typing it all out again (and by now, I’ve also posted most of this on Instagram). I could just refer you all to my page, but what I have to say is important and I want to make sure you all hear (read) it. 

I do not like the artwork on these duos. The artwork consists of images of dark skinned figures, presumably black women. The darker skinned woman has one hand on the ground and the other on her head, reminiscent of an ape (to me). The lighter skinned woman is posing with her backside facing the viewer. Her head is tiny and her bottom is noticeably large. Regardless of the artist’s intent, both images perpetuate racist, harmful depictions of black, and specifically dark-skinned black, people. 

And then you open the duos. Now, with dark skinned women on the cover, you would expect dark skin friendly blushes, right? Well, as you can see from my swatches, these are far from dark skin friendly. It is upsetting. The darker skinned woman covers the most dark skin un-friendly blush. The black women on the cover do not represent who may use those products. Instead, they are art purely for white gaze. (And I do not mean to say that only non-black people can wear these duos. I am focusing on the primary audience.) 

Black women have been abused by and made spectacles of for white audiences for centuries. I would not be surprised if the artist consulted (perhaps unknowingly) colorist depictions of black women stored in their subconscious. By placing these images on duos meant for those who fall on the opposite side of the skin tone spectrum, Kaleidos and the artist participated in a painful history of misrepresentation and dehumanization. 

Kaleidos is aware of this important context now. In their eagerness to offer products to a new market (Africa and the Middle East), they did not take the time to consider the implications of their art and of a line that excludes some of their customers. I truly believe they are aiming to do better. And they are working on another duo for those they left out. It speaks volumes that they sent me this collection knowing that I disapproved of the art and did not think it was inclusive. And, thankfully, they have since removed these products from their website. I look forward to seeing the new, more inclusive and more culturally aware blush line.

The swatches of the duos are below. I also included blended swatches so you can see the level of ash more clearly.