Inclusive Nudes
Growing up mixed in a predominantly hispanic and white community, meant that I was aware, at a very young age, that I was different. I didn’t look like the majority of the other kids in my classes. Although there weren’t many blonde and blue eyed kids, most of them had a lighter complexion and straight hair. I, on the other hand, was “caramel” colored with black curly hair. I was aware I looked different, but it wasn’t much of an issue or a hardship— until it came to the dance and performance world.
I started dancing at the age of three and competed and performed for many years. The dance world is where I would ultimately realize, with much frustration, how “different” I really was. A lot of necessities in the dance world, and ultimately products used by more than just dancers, were tailored to those who were white or had a lighter complexion. Everything from makeup, to tights, to shoes, even underwear has a “nude” shade, but more times than not this shade was only considered nude for those who were white. Nude tights did not look nude on my legs, nude shoes looked more like beige shoes, and nude lipstick just made my lips look discolored and chapped.
For some reason, it has not been until recently that companies are realizing that the standard nude shade is only truly nude for a small portion of women who use these products. I don’t understand why it has taken this long— because women of all colors have always existed and used these items— but nevertheless, it is finally happening. Companies of all types are coming out with more shades to include women of color and to ensure that complexions ranging from very light to to very dark are recognized in their “nudes.” Women all over the country rejoice!
These companies are changing their idea of what “nude” really means.
Louboutin
The famous, high fashion shoe and accessory brand has come out with a line of nude ballet flats, that come in a variety of shades. The line includes seven nude shoe options, ranging from the first and lightest shade, “porcelain,” to the darkest shade, “deep chocolate.” People are praising the well-known company for making inclusive nudes, which will hopefully inspire more high-fashion brands to follow suit.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
The beloved makeup brand has recently come out with it’s newest product - stick foundation. Along with this new product comes three contouring sticks and a highlighter. The foundation colors are broken up into seven categories: Very Fair, Fair, Light, Medium, Medium Tan, Dark and Deep. With these seven categories comes 26 foundation shades ranging from Alabaster to Earth. Each foundation has different undertones to ensure that their customers can find a shade that works for them and best fits their skin tone.
Neutrogena
In February, the makeup brand expanded its shades to include more colors not only for women of color but across all shades. Neutrogena created 11 new shades for it’s foundation collection and 10 new colors for its MoistureSmooth Color Sticks. It’s important to note that not only did they add shades in their foundation products but also their lip products. Often, many women of color don’t look the same in certain lip shades such as light pinks or some browns as other women do, so because of this they tend to pick out different lip colors. Neutrogena has realized this trend so they took action.
Nubian Skin
Created in October 2015, Nubian Skin creates lingerie and hosiery for women of color, so every woman can now have the necessary basics at their disposal. The company believes “a nude bra and skin tone hosiery are the basics of every woman’s wardrobe” and makes that a possibility for women who might not have been able to have those basics before. Their products are available online and at select stores such as Nordstroms. All products are available in four different shades: Berry, Cafe Au Lait, Caramel and Cinnamon. Not only is it inclusive but it is also affordable- the panties in the nude line range from $16 o $25, while their bras are a little more pricey, selling for about $55.
Nudz
The undergarment company strives to “banish beige” as the go to shade for nude, becuase nude for one woman does not mean nude for another. The founder realized that this wasn’t just a problem for women of color but women of all colors of the spectrum. The company’s mission is to “redefine nude and banish beige as the default standard in the intimate apparel industry.” Nudz has come out with a collection called “The New Nudes.” Inspired by 10 celebrities, the undergarment collection includes shades ranging from ivory to cocoa, and allows all women to have not only pieces that match their skin tone but also fit them well.
Mahogany Blues
The dance apparel company, Mahogany Blues, launched in 2015 with the mindset of creating a product for girls who have been dismissed and forgotten about by an industry who has been color blind for so many years. So many dancers have to resort to dyeing their apparel because there has never been a color of tights, leotards or shoes that accurately suit them. Mahogany Blues strives to be a solution for that dilemma. Their mission is to “provide nude dance apparel in shades reflective of every dance experience ensuring that no dancer is left behind.” Their leotards come in four colors- Amina, Jasmine, Tiana and Mulan.
Makeup Forever
The well-known makeup brand has recently launched new shades in its Ultra HD line, both in foundation - liquid and stick - and in concealer. Makeup Forever now has 40 shades in its Ultra HD liquid foundation ranging from Alabaster to Dark Brown. The stick equivalent- Ultra HD Stick Foundation now has 15 shades ranging from Ivory to Brown, and the Ultra HD Concealer now has 10 shades ranging from porcelain to chocolate. So whether you need full face coverage to just a light touch up, Makeup Forever most likely has your shade, whether you’re a woman of color or not.
It has taken way long for the makeup and clothing industries to not be colorblind and realize that women of color not only exist but also use the same products as everyone else, sometimes at an even higher rate. Now that they have, women of color can finally rejoice and take advantage of the ever changing society in which “nude” is not just nude for one type of woman.
