This Week in Beauty: NFT ME
My viral Mona Lisa tweet, and still, the latest beauty news.
A few months ago, I decided I’d put an NFT behind my most viral and impactful tweet.
In February of 2019, I tweeted a photo of myself standing in front of the Mona Lisa and asked other Black women to join me. The response was resounding. I did not expect it, but I should have. In a mix of photos and written stories and artwork, it garnered over 10,000 responses. The tweet was also covered by BuzzFeed and Refinery29. To this day, women continue to add their photos.
This thread holds my story and so many others. I want to continue them by backing this tweet with an NFT so that I can do more than send tweets, but transform some of the takeaways I’ve learned throughout my career on the internet into creating more moments, media, and storytelling that I want to see out in the world.
In the spirit of the tweet, a percentage of the money will be used to create a fund in which Black women and Black femmes can apply to have their U.S. passport fee or passport renewal fee paid for. Yes, COVID-19 has caused passport delays and that’s exactly why you should get yours.
Lastly, for the last 24 hours of the auction, I’ll be on Clubhouse with friends ‘til the very end. There will be talks, DJ sets, meditation sessions, all centered around beauty, tech, entrepreneurship, the internet, media, pop culture, and politics. And of course, a Beauty Headlines news special. Check my Instagram for the detailed schedule dropping soon. Set a calendar reminder. The room begins on Wednesday, November 3rd at 9 am PT/ 12 pm ET.
You can learn more about the true essence of NFTs, the tweet, and my story at studiosymone.com.
We’re coming off the heels of Halloween, and everyone went all out. You’ve seen the looks.
But this… this hit home. Remember that time I covered the Gorilla Glue fiasco with live updates? These costumes are giving… #triggered!
And other:
The News
Last week, Mark Zuckerberg appeared in a virtual universe and announced Facebook’s new name: Meta. The technology giant must understand the benefits of associating their new image with a Black, successful businesswoman and creator in beauty because they displayed the commerce aspect of Meta with Jackie Aina.
Aina didn’t post to her Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook page about her appearance (except for a repost from a fan page on her outfit). Rather, the videos are posted on socials of the Metaverse’s Vice President Vishal Shah. They toured a virtual universe where her candles would be sold. Facebook may have a new name, but its issues remain. In addition to the announcement of Meta last week, we continued to learn more about the inner workings of Facebook’s biggest mistakes through the Facebook papers. Here are two pieces that have helped me understand what. is. going. on.:
During his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction speech on Saturday, Jay-Z joked about having to go to court on Monday. A day ahead, he was already seen testifying in court. Mr. Carter is being sued for unfulfilled promises that involve a line of perfumes with his name. Questioned by Parlux Fragrances’s lawyer he was mostly grilled on marketing and promotion under a 2012 agreement. “I’m sure my lawyers outlined the details.” He must smell amazing.
Speaking of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Tina Turner was inducted as a solo artist. I’ve written about why she’s my personal beauty icon for ELLE.
LTL Management, a newly created and separate subsidiary formed by Johnson & Johnson to hold and manage claims in its cosmetic talc litigation, has filed for bankruptcy. This comes as no surprise. This was the plan, and it’s happening. According to CBS, the move could stall settlements for thousands of families. I’ll continue to keep yall updated on this story.
Procter & Gamble will increase the prices of some of its skincare, grooming, and oralcare products in the U.S. to counter the costs of a failing supply chain. What’s up with the supply chain, anyway? Beauty Independent explains.
Dubai-based beauty brand Huda Beauty has settled a court battle for ‘unlawfully’ labeling its Neon Obsessions palette after it was accused by U.S. consumers of “falsely advertising the sku for use in the eye area and failing to disclose material information about the products.”
The court didn’t decide if the brand was to blame, but both parties have agreed to offer purchasers of Neon Obsessions a full refund of $29 for each product, or $87 with proof of purchase.
Sephora launched its same-day delivery service that arrived within 2 hours for a fee of $6.95.
Asos will offer its staff flexible working and paid leave during menopause.
Why does Aesop always do dope sh*t? The brand has teamed up with the Worldwide FM platform to launch ‘Heart notes Radio’ a series of broadcasts to promote its new collection of eau de parfums, Othertopias.
California has legalized the selling of CBD edibles and smokable hemp. From Cannabis Now:
The bill also establishes regulations for hemp products including CBD edibles, supplements, and pet foods, as well as smokable hemp and other inhalable forms of the crop.
Kendra Bracken-Ferguson has launched Founders Studio, a branch of BrainTrust, her digital marketing agency. “The Studio has valued the mentorship opportunities and access to capital offered by its corporate partners at around $100 million,” according to Business of Fashion. So far, 25 Black-owned beauty brands have been selected.
Qwo, the first FDA-approved injectable for cellulite, is here. It appears the FDA approved Qwo in July of 2020, but now it’s widely available. Here’s what you need to know.
Birchbox has been acquired by the new fem-care startup FemTec for more than $45 million. It is a company backed by Estée Lauder, Walgreens, and Unilever.
“The company will begin asking its 300,000-plus subscribers to share personal health information — collecting data through skin tests, for instance — and using it to zero in on relevant skincare, supplements and other products, like birth control or pregnancy tests.” — Forbes
Cantu Beauty and UNCF (United Negro College Fund) have banded together to invest $150,000 into nontraditional college students. Think: students who have had to delay enrollment, work full time, or go to school part-time. Fifteen $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to those who take part in the career-readiness sessions.
Collabz & Celebz, ranked from most interesting to “why are you making us go through this?”
Actor, Youtuber, and artist Chella Man is the first transmasculine face of YSL Beauty:
Nia Long appears as a therapist in the latest Old Bay commercial. LOL. I loved her interview on it with Essence. Also seen is actor Deon Cole, who seems to have a partnership with the men’s care line.
Billie Eilish announced the creation of her first perfume, Eilish.
Lori Harvey’s skincare line, SKN by LH, has launched.
Dior has named actress Anya Taylor-Joy as its women’s fashion and make-up ambassador. Which should come as no surprise! She’d been dripped in Dior all season.
Ellen Degeneres has launched her skincare line, Kind Science.
The NBA now has an eyeshadow line through ColourPop featuring popular teams like The Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and The Celtics.
I understand all of the marketing reasons why this makes sense, but it still kind of annoys me. Ha 😅. It led me straight to think about how impactful the women of the WNBA have been the past few years. How they’ve put their careers, money, and livelihoods on the line to stand up against police brutality, abortion, voting rights and also themselves. Women athletes have proven to be among the true faces of beauty. If a brand doesn’t have enough sauce to honor that, 🤷🏾♀️. But! The makeup will sell. It’s a very event-driven palette that people might wear to games or get-togethers.
Book Drops
Dermalogica Founder Jane Wurwand’s book is here: Skin in the Game: Everything You Need is Already Inside You
Award-winning reporter Zara Stone has released her latest book: Killer Looks: The Forgotten History of Plastic Surgery in Prisons.
ICYMI: Photographer St. Clair Detrick-Jules’ art book, My Beautiful Black Hair: 101 Natural Hair Stories from the Sisterhood, was released in late September.
Media Drops
Mickalene Thomas Is Reinventing Nudes — Angela Flournoy
Censorship of Marginalized Communities on Instagram, 2021 — Salty in partnership with the University of Michigan [research study]
Emily Ratajkowski’s New Book Tests The Limits Of Self-Awareness — Scaachi Koul
The Bizarre and Unsettling Rise of True-Crime Makeup Videos on YouTube and TikTok — Hannah Jackson
Latina Entrepreneurs Are Forcing Beauty Giants to Pay Attention — Daniela Sirtori-Cortina
What Does Mindfulness With Plants Look Like? Justina Blakeney Can Show You the Way — Siena Giljum
The Morbid Appeal of “Botched” Plastic Surgery — Terry Nguyen
Brené Brown’s Empire Of Emotion — Sarah Larson
Katie Couric Is Not for Everyone — Rebecca Traister
What Companies Behind The Scenes In Beauty Believe Will Be Big In 2022 — Rachel Brown
“What would it mean to return to my homeland as a very openly genderqueer adult?” — Yas Necati
such a great read! hope the NFT went well! You are always on the pulse of everything culture.