I always tell myself I won't expand on certain topics. Keep it short! Keep it cute! Yet, here I go đ
Interwebz
Cardi B discusses war (genocide) in her bonnet.
My man, my man, my man!
THIS is my final form (solidarity with lipglossssssssss)
What do you consider an anti-wellness beauty brand? Arabelle Sicardi wants to know.
Community space SALON was included in "Our Women and Their Collectionsâ for the New Balance 1998 30th Anniversary
Industry / Politics
Relaxers: Here is what you need to know right now, at this moment, about the latest in reaction to the release of an NIH study that connects chemical hair straighteners to uterine cancer. The FDA plans to propose a rule that would ban products that contain formaldehyde1 and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals. According to Reuters over 7,000 relaxer lawsuits have been consolidated in a Chicago federal court, following. In connection: LâOrĂ©al, Revlon, and other companies mentioned in the lawsuit have tried to get the case of Jenny Mitchell dismissed, but this week, a judge said the lawsuit could move forward.Â
Revlon and LâOrĂ©al to Reuters: âWe do not believe the science supports a link between chemical hair straighteners or relaxers and cancer,â Revlon said. LâOreal added that it is committed to offering the best products âfor all skin and hair types, all genders, all identities, all cultures, all agesâ and that its hair relaxers have a ârich heritage and historyâ originating with Black inventors and entrepreneurs." // Just gonna say it, and I hope Iâm clear: To throw the issue back on Black inventors in response to a reporter's questions about a study and lawsuits connected to your product and to then, in the same breath, also act as if you are following in the tradition of these formulators, is nasty work. The DEI/PR agency, executive, or consultant that helped LâOrĂ©al craft that take should feel deeply uncomfortable about it. Where is your head?
Beauty conglomerates are sued all the time, but Iâm interested to see how this one will turn out. Just so you know my status and can judge me as you see fit: I just applied a relaxer last night. Whenever I want a 90s, sleek, no-time-down pixie, I reach for creamy crack.Â
The FDA announced that it is postponing the first step in a series of changes that are coming under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022, or MoCRA: beauty brands will now have until June 24 to submit facility registration and product listing. Read more from Lexy Lebsack.
Locked up, they wonât let me out: Sephora has removed all of its fragrances from the floor, aside from fragrance tester bottles.
Health + Wellness / STEM
Flamingo expects to donate at least $1 million to Girl Scouts USA in a two-year partnership that will focus on building body confidence and self-esteem among girls. (P.S. -Â Love Flamingoâs shaving cream and I purchase it with my hard cold cash.)
LâOrĂ©al USA has announced the winners of it For Women in Science (FWIS) Fellowship program, one theyâve been running for 20 years now.
Sports
LSUâs Angel Reese was absent from the teamâs second game of the season with no clear answer. Read Lindsay Gibbs on why Reese deserves better (clue: her coach isnât helping.) // Why is Angel Reese in this newsletter? Reese is a certified beauty culture girl, a Gen-Z image maker, and at the tip of conversations about women athletes and beauty â even before the Mielle Organics partnership. In 2021 I wrote about why athletes are the real beauty influencers; here is a more recent article about it because there have been big developments.
NYX is now the official makeup sponsor of the New York Liberty.
World
Avon is opening its first physical store in the UK (where itâs been headquartered since 2016) followed by South Africa and Brazil. Currently has 63 stores in Turkey. //Â Not their demo, but not the point. Worthwhile update.Â
The classic probiotic beverage Yakult is opening its first cafĂ© in Japan, which will feature a spa. âA beauty salon above the cafe will offer facials using cosmetics made with lactic acid bacteria..â // NICE⊠I love a cafe/spa situation, seems like my type of place.
#nowreadingÂ
đš Offer 10% off my book Black Icons in Herstory: 50 Legendary Women. A great gift during the holiday season, especially for young ones! Code: HOLIDAY
How Eyeliner Became A Symbol Of Political Resistance â Adele Walton
Why Do Beauty Brands Post About Politics? â Jennifer Sullivanâs âAsk A Beauty Editorâ Column
Sorry, Environmentally-Friendly Glitter Just Doesn't Exist â Elizabeth Siegel
The BoF Podcast: Re-Imagining Indian Beauty â Imran Amed
Who Will Snap Up Beauty Assets on the Block? â Jennifer Weil, Kathryn Hopkin
My Boyfriend Helped Me Take Out My Braids. We Both Learned A Lot. â L'OrĂ©al Blackett
#nowlistening
I really write this newsletter so I want to tell you what Iâm listening to.
Canât Shut Us Down - Kitty Cash & PawPaw Rod
Listen to Studio SymonĂ©âs playlists on Spotify. Follow Studio SymonĂ© on Instagram.
#nowusing
PiĂș Mas Sleep Ritual Dry Oil ($39)
Unique fragrance and formula. This product is exceptional, and I promise youâll see the girls hyping it soon, which is why Iâve got a code for you now. Promo: SSGIRL
ILY (maybe),
@darian
*Black women are the main users of cream relaxers in the U.S.. Cream-based lye and no-lye relaxers â the âhair relaxerâ thatâs being visually referenced most in articles - typically donât, if at all, contain formaldehyde, which is the chemical the FDA wants to ban. Many other straightening treatments do, such as keratin treatments. I think images of all kinds are important to note as we continue to see the onus of this convo surrounding Black womenâs use of relaxers. For example, articles on the FDA formaldehyde ban proposal show Black women having cream relaxers applied. The media is going to do what they do. Iâm telling you to stay vigilant.
Loved this!! I appreciate how expansive the topics are and the note about Angel. I think people forget about that beauty intersects in so many ways and places and you package it in a way that takes them all and ties them all in a bow beautifully. What a gift, literally and figuratively.
Thank you for the treasure trove of beauty and pop culture information. Reading up on how athletes are the true beauty influencers now.