Skin Deep

In last Sunday’s  Sunday Times Style magazine, there was a brilliant article looking squarely at the issue of being a mixed race young woman in Britain today.   An extremely beautiful 24 year old called Alexandra Simon, recounted her journey of realising and accepting her identity…and the challenges and triumphs that she encountered along the way.

Source: Sunday Times Style (15 Jan 2012)

Race and ethnicity are still hot topics in the UK and I hope that the candid, honest debate continues and that developments in the beauty industry can contribute to this debate.

I do believe that 2012 will be a significant year for the ethnic beauty here in the UK, as several of the large beauty brands – both mass and prestige – have launched foundations to target this burgeoning sector of the population.

So what’s on the agenda?

Lancôme

Lancôme launches its latest foundation, Teint Idole Ultra 24H Foundation (£27)  next month, it comes in 18 Shades and you can receive a complimentary, 7 day sample at selected Lancôme counters nationwide.

Arlenis Sosa for Lancôme

The new campaign will feature Lancôme’s stunning spokes model Arlenis Sosa, who joined the brand in 2009.


There will be an impactful in-store presence –  I look forward to seeing Arlenis’ beautiful face grace the pages of  glossy mags and  department store counters.  I will also be trying the foundation out…so will let you know what I think

Chanel

Last year I blogged about the latest addition to the Chanel foundation family – the Perfection Lumiere Fluide Foundation (£36), which was launched in the States last August.  I was praying that the range would hit the UK…and what do you know…it has arrived!!  It seems like only 16 of the 26 shades are available…but there are a good number shades that will suit a darker skin tone.

You can purchase the new range online from Selfridges, or pop into selected Boots stores to also get your hallowed Advantage Card points!

Avon

British beauty Alesha Dixon continues to expand her business empire  – and was recently announced as Avon’s  ‘Beauty and Empowerment’ Ambassador for the UK and Ireland and the face of the new Ideal Flawless Invisible Coverage Foundation (£12).  I was eagerly anticipating the launch of this foundation as I had heard that it would be available in 16 shades!!   Although Avon has an extensive range of bases suitable for dark skin tones that are currently retailed in the US – these shades have not been available in the UK for a number of years.   Ideal Flawless launches in February  – but alas – the darkest shade in the range is a warm honey tone called ‘Earth’ – it would be suitable for women such as the caramel toned Miss Dixon – but there are no shades suitable for a deeper chocolate skin tone such as my own.

L’Oréal Paris

I have long seen the adverts for L’Oréal Paris’  True Match  Foundation (£9.99) featuring (new mum)  Beyoncé but to be honest, I had never really investigated the range, as I just assumed it would not have a shade that would be my true match.  However recent press coverage in this month’s Marie Claire magazine stated that the range now comes in 20 shades!   It looks like the deep shades Golden Cappuccino and Cocoa have been added to the range here in the UK – these shades are featured on the L’Oréal Paris  UK website – but they do not seem to be available on the high street as yet – I will keep my eye out to see if changes and let you know!  Again, I discovered that the True Match range that is available in the US comes in a whopping 33 shades – 10 of which would be perfect for deeper tones just like mine…  (oh well!!)

Check out Mrs Carter’s latest US commercial for the make up.

 

 

So, what can I say?

As I mentioned in my previous foundation blog post – things are getting better for us dark skinned beauties here in the UK – but I still can’t help feeling that there could be so much more to choose from…

Anyway, I will be updating you soon on my foundation picks for 2012!

3 comments for “Skin Deep

  1. January 24, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    It’s good to see that make up for darked skinned beauties is finally arriving in the UK! Has it taken forever or what? I remember in the 80’s working for the various cosmetic houses that there really wasn’t anythiing there for us. Fashion Fair came, and even though for it was for us, it still gave us that masked pancake effect (although their liquids were pretty good). After living in the states for a while, I’ve been able to go to practically any cosmetic house and buy good product. Right now I’m a huge fan of Bobbi Brown’s line. Also I’d like to thank you so much for your lovely coment on my blog, it’s lovely to be in touch with another Chic Brit, I will be supporting you.

    Much love and blessings.

    • beautypulselondon
      January 24, 2012 at 6:25 pm

      Thanks so much!

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