Welcome to another episode of "What Were They Thinking?" featuring none other than Youthforia, the makeup brand that decided to give us a masterclass in how not to do inclusivity. Yes, we’re talking about that foundation shade—so dark, so devoid of undertones, it might as well be blackface makeup from 100 years ago. Buckle up, beauty enthusiasts, because this is one ride you won’t want to miss.
The Problem with Youthforia's Shade Range
You see, the thing about human skin is that it has undertones. Shocking, right? Apparently, Euforia missed that memo and gave us the “600” shade—an unblended mess without any subtones. Imagine putting on black paint for a Halloween costume. Now imagine that’s your daily foundation. Yeah, it’s that bad.
But let’s break it down: creating a foundation shade involves more than just darkening existing pigments. It requires a deep understanding of the different hues and undertones that make up diverse skin tones.
Instead of taking this nuanced approach, Euforia decided to slap on a coat of ebony and call it a day. The result? A product that no human could realistically use, unless you’re aiming for that chic asphalt look.
Industry Reaction and Public Backlash
Naturally, the beauty community was up in arms. Influencers, makeup artists, and everyday users all chimed in to say, “What were you thinking, Youthforia?” Some tried to defend the brand, claiming a model of theirs rocked the shade.
Spoiler alert: that model was using a lighter, more reasonable tone. The social media frenzy was real, with #EuforiaFail trending faster than you can say “foundation fiasco.”
The backlash wasn’t just limited to angry tweets and scathing reviews. Beauty gurus posted side-by-side comparisons, makeup artists offered critiques, and consumers called for boycotts. Euforia’s PR team must have been working overtime, attempting to spin the narrative that they were “trying their best” to be inclusive.
Unfortunately, “trying” doesn’t cut it when the result is this hilariously off the mark.
Beef entre Kendrick y Drake: ¿Qué Opinaría William Lynch?
Bienvenidos a la última temporada del drama interminable del rap! En esta esquina, tenemos a Kendrick Lamar, rompiendo récords a diestra y siniestra con su nuevo hit “Not Like Us”, que alcanzó los 100 millones de streams en tan solo 9 días, superando a "God's Plan" de Drake. En la…
Unmasking Algorithmic Racism: The AI Circus Unleashed!
Keywords #AlgorithmicRacism #AIbias #MitigationEfforts #InclusiveTechnology #EthicalAI #DigitalRights Ladies and gentlemen, gather 'round the digital campfire as we unveil the mesmerizing spectacle of algorithmic racism! 🎩✨ Yes, you heard it right—the greatest show on silicon earth! Imagine a world where AI systems, those seemingly neutral automatons, moonlight as undercover bigots. They’ve…
Wagner Group: A New Colonialism in Africa’s Hard Times
In a tragicomic twist that even Shakespeare himself would not have dared to imagine, Wagner, an obscure Russian mercenary group, has emerged on the African stage with the finesse of an elephant in a china store. With one foot in Libya and the other in the Central African Republic, these mercenaries
Unbelievable Youthforia Controversy: When Makeup Turns into Blackface Nightmare
Welcome to another episode of "What Were They Thinking?" featuring none other than Youthforia, the makeup brand that decided to give us a masterclass in how not to do inclusivity. Yes, we’re talking about that foundation shade—so dark, so devoid of undertones, it might as well be blackface makeup from…
Unveiling Mestizaje: The Blurred Lines of Race and Identity in Latin America
Introduction to Mestizaje: The term mestizaje is a prismatic concept, reflecting a kaleidoscope of racial and cultural intermingling that has been a cornerstone of Latin American identity for centuries. It's more than just a word; it's the embodiment of a historical tapestry, woven from the threads of indigenous, African, and…
Silent Genocide in Congo: a deadly deal?
- Do you have any questions? CONTACT US Maybe you're just curious about what we do or maybe you just want to say 'hello'. We are all ears. In fact, we love to have a good chat. It's like we're your local hairdresser, ready to listen, always with a joke…
Born Sexy Yesterday: How “Poor Things” is subverting stereotypes?
Today we're going to talk about a movie stereotype so ubiquitous that it could compete with popcorn in movie theaters. It's called "Born Sexy Yesterday," and no, it's not the title of a low-budget romantic comedy. This cliché introduces us to a woman who is as innocent and pure as…
Advertisements for the Sale of Enslaved Persons? A critical look
The advertisements for the sale of enslaved individuals during the era of slavery are an indelible stain on humanity's evening dress, remaining the perfect reminder of our capacity to be terribly cruel to one another. Although we officially left it behind (on paper, because in practice, well, you know...), the…
Chinese Lunar New Year for Afro-descendant Populations: Connecting the disconnected
The Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is not just a pivotal event within China but has grown to captivate a global audience. Marked by vibrant displays of cultural richness, it encapsulates themes of renewal, hope, and the ushering in of prosperity. Its influence stretches across…
Black History Month: A Legacy of Struggle and Triumph
Welcome to the annual "Let's remember African Americans exist this month because apparently, we forget for the rest of the year" celebration. Black History Month, that time of the year when we parade our love for diversity with more zeal than a Benetton ad campaign, aims to honor the contributions…
10 Racist realities facing Blacks in Brazil
Afro-Brazilians face various challenges and forms of discrimination in contemporary Brazilian society. These problems are rooted in the country's history, marked by slavery, colonialism and structural racism. Despite efforts to address these issues, progress has been slow, and Afro-Brazilians continue to experience significant disadvantages and institutionalized discrimination[2][3]. Some of the…
Contexto Polémica
Youthforia, a make-up brand founded in 2021, is facing controversy over the darkest shade (600) of its Date Night Skin Tint Serum Foundation. The controversy began when beauty influencers, particularly those with darker skin tones, criticised the brand’s initial range of 15 shades for not being inclusive enough.
In March 2024, Youthforia expanded the foundation to 25 shades, adding 10 darker options. However, shade 600, the darkest shade, has been widely criticised for looking more like a ‘minstrel show black’ or ‘tar in a bottle’ than a wearable foundation for deep skin tones.
Influential personalities such as Golloria George have posted viral videos comparing the shade 600 to black face paint, as the foundation looks jet black and lacks brown undertones. Many have accused Youthforia of insensitivity and failing to properly formulate a dark foundation.
As a result, several major retailers have dropped Youthforia, including Credo, Revolve and Thirteen Lune. Ulta Beauty, which carried the expanded range of 25 shades, has not confirmed whether it will continue to sell the brand. Influencers are also distancing themselves from Youthforia, with some calling for their removal from the brand’s PR list.
As of May 2024, Youthforia had not issued a public apology or statement on the controversy. The brand’s founder, Fiona Co Chan, previously defended the limited range of shades in a video that has since been removed, claiming it was ‘proof’ of the brand’s commitment to inclusivity.
Experts say Youthforia’s missteps highlight the importance of proper product development, extensive shade testing and listening to customer feedback, especially for brands targeting a diverse Generation Z audience. The scandal has reignited conversations about the beauty industry’s current challenges around inclusivity and representation.
Citations:
[1] https://www.beautyindependent.com/retailers-influencers-drop-youthforia-amid-foundation-shade-controversy/
[2] https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/02/style/youthforia-black-foundation-shade/index.html
[3] https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/youthforia-foundation-darkest-shade-scandal/
[4] https://time.com/6972800/youthforia-dark-skin-foundation-backlash/
[5] https://www.today.com/style/beauty/youthforia-foundation-shade-controversy-rcna150216
