This Week In Beauty: The Michelle Obama Bounce
There are some weeks in beauty that completely overwhelm me on both a news cycle and spiritual level, and this was one of those weeks. So much news 🧻 ! If you love this newsletter, consider a paid subscription.
HEADLINES
I had no idea what to expect watching the inauguration on Wednesday. The pomp and elegance of Obama’s 2008 and 2012 inaugurations felt like distant memories I didn’t care about. After 4 years, the Trump administration’s aesthetics — tastes as haggard as their agenda — dominated my newsfeed and psyche.
So I allowed myself to indulge in a little neoliberal pageantry, as a treat. The aesthetic is always political. We have a running memory of the symbolism of red, black, white, or even beige in the political arena. Even lipstick has a history as propaganda.
For Wednesday's procedural, Lady Gaga arrived in Schiaparelli. JLo arrived with her nude lip. Amongst the notable Black women attendees, the hair was undeniable. There was Amanda Gorman, whose twisted crochet up-do, topped by a red silk headband, looked something like a crown. And of course Vice President Kamala Harris with her classic silk press wearing a royal purple coat by Christopher John Rogers.
Former first lady (3b-4c curl pattern) Michelle Obama entered alongside former president Barack Obama and as usual, every camera in the room panned quickly to them. A strong side swoop and big, barrel curls framed her face. You couldn’t not admire the sheen. The internet did its thing and I DM’d her long-time hair stylist Yene Damtew, who I met earlier this year, to ask if she styled the occasion, which she did. Aside from being Obama’s hairstylist for more than a decade, Damtew also advocates entrepreneurialism and ethical business practices in the cosmetics industry. Here’s a podcast interview with Damtew from 2017.
Black women’s beauty choices are political even when they’re mundane. As the nation’s first black and brown female Vice President, coverage of Harris — from the photographs we post to inevitable discussions about changes in her appearance — will divulge as much about our media landscape as it does about her. What more will be revealed?
BERNIE BEAUTY MEMES ARE ALWAYS TOP TIER
This meme is quite fitting, considering Bernie Sander’s commitment to the working class. Also, remember that time he met Cardi at the nail shop?
EXTRA EXTRA
Oversensationalized headlines linked Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine to filler swelling, and it sent the beauty world spinning. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons took to social media to tell patients: the risk is rare. Get the vaccine. This reporting by Jolene Edgar for Allure is extensive and I hope you read it.
In the past few months, I’ve seen Glossier products on the rap battle phenomenon Verzuz twice, Glossier sweatshirts on AKAs for Founder’s Day, and a Glossier campaign with the WNBA. I know ya’ll can read the room; we know what’s going on here. I have a story coming out on this, so keep your eyes peeled!
A Utah bill will make it easier for places such as Dry Bar to exist by legally being able to hire hairstylists without licenses who will only “dry, style, arrange, dress, curls, hot iron, shampoo, or condition hair.” The main supporters of the bill are libertarian advocacy groups.
California beauty professionals are suing Gavin Newsom. They want to re-open and receive financial relief. Here’s the lawsuit.
SheSpoke launched a collection of lipsticks based on Vice President Kamala Harris’ now-famous line: "Mr. Vice President, I'm speaking." There are definitely a group of beauty brands out there with strong political messaging such as Y Cosmetics, UOMA Beauty, Lipstick Lobby, and Lipslut.
Ok sorry this is news:
via INSIDER
MEDIA DROPS
“I did not want COVID to be a reason why I did not survive.” I am so fascinated with the shifts happening within the beauty supply world with more Black-owned beauty supply stores (brick and mortar and digital) popping up. Here’s an interview with Pamela Thompson, owner of the latest Black-owned beauty supply to open in Tampa, Florida. Ileana Najarro
In 2019, beauty industry vet and former executive Ella T. Gorgla and the CEO of Sundial Cara Sabin founded 25 Black Women in Beauty. Here’s a Q&A with Gorgla published yesterday on their mission. Kathleen Hou
The most influential person in skincare right now 'zero qualifications in dermatology. Here’s how the influence ecosystem is impacting the beauty industry with a focus on Hyram Yarbro. Daniel Rogers
“Child, ANOTHER launch?” — Publicists and labs everywhere. The never-ending cycle of product launches. Rachel Strugatz
A review of Sasha Obama’s favorite lip gloss!!! Also, more lip gloss reviews PLS??? Lara Walsh