"Women and men of all skin tones should have access to great-quality makeup that actually matches their skin tone at prices that are accessible. That's what you call makeup equality."
POPSUGAR: Why is this shift in beauty brands becoming more inclusive so important?
Aja Naomi King: People of color are bringing issues up, and the world is finally beginning to listen. I also admire women, such as yourself, who are able to write our stories and educate people on what black women have been, and are still, affected by. We're all rising up together in that way, and it's incredible.
When I was shooting a part of my True Match campaign, one of the L'Oréal chemists was there. She's a stunning, cool-as-f*ck black woman who was telling me that she travels the world with a small tool she puts up to various skin tones to see what components make it up. Then, she goes back to the lab and creates makeup for that specific complexion. Seeing this powerful woman of color understand the nuance of our skin (and of all skin) and make products for us was truly incredible. Women and men of all skin tones should have access to great-quality makeup that actually matches their skin tone at prices that are accessible. That's what you call makeup equality.
That's what we should be striving for.
