This Week in Beauty: A Quick Lesson From Me on What It Means To Be a Chief Disruption Officer
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BEAUTY IRL is a newsletter run by @darian that covers beauty at the intersection of politics and pop culture. If you’re passionate about this world, consider a yearly or monthly subscription to support the everyday operation of this newsletter 🧠⚡️💄
PAYING ATTENTION
According to a report by Reuters, Johnson & Johnson is considering a plan to offload its liabilities from its existing baby powder lawsuits into a new business, which would then declare bankruptcy. Johnson & Johnson has been facing tens of thousands of lawsuits regarding asbestos in its talc-based baby powder. This move could potentially help them to avoid expensive settlements.
Ulta Beauty at Target officially launches this August. The partnership is beginning with more than 100 Target locations and online inventory at Target.com, but has plans to expand to a total of 800 Target locations in the future.
In the latest beauty x fashion news, artist Halsey's about-face beauty brand collaborated with Dickies to create two limited-edition bags. The bags were released at the same time as the new about-face Face Blushing Beige lip drop.
There is a lack of pretentiousness that Halsey’s brand has, and it works. It likely has something to do with the fact her face isn't plastered all over the site. She may be the voice of it, but she is not the only face. Rather, I can see her influence and taste through colors, packaging, and design. To me, that’s far more interesting.
Dermalogica has built a virtual reality (VR) e-commerce storefront, using it to showcase its newest products. The storefront includes videos on the brand's services and products, its free skin analysis face-mapping tool, and an avatar of Dermalogica’s VP of technology and innovation, Dr. Angela Murphy.
Who owns skin? That's the question raised after this week's latest in celebrity skincare brands. Earlier this summer, Kim Kardashian announced that KKW Beauty would be completely shutting down prior to a complete rebrand, and a new trademark for “skkn by Kim” was reported. Then on July 9th, a trademark was filed under 'SKKN'. Last week on Instagram, Lori Harvey shared a photo hinting that her new brand “SKN by LH” is arriving soon. If it feels like news of celebrity skincare lines are constantly emerging, the similar names of them definitely aren't helping.
Anyway, we had a really really good conversation about SKIMs last week.
Lots of great comments under this video, click to read. No consensus was reached, and that wasn’t the point of the discussion anyway. I was so intrigued to hear different people’s perspectives. We’re going to continue the conversation again on Beauty Headlines because a lot of people were sad to miss it! Tuesday at 8 am PST/11 am ET.
Sha'Carri Richardson appeared in a Beats by Dre commercial this week featuring a new single by Kanye West, “No Child Left Behind.” In the video, Richardson sported a beautiful deep red-colored wig styled by Christiana Cassell, who also did her makeup. The commercial also featured Richardson's signature ultra-long nails, adorned by blue and pink French tips and hearts.
Simone Biles said mind your business:
A BEAUTY-ISH THOUGHT ON DISRUPTORS
LVMH announced it was purchasing a majority stake in streetwear brand Off-White, and expanding its relationship with its founder, Virgil Abloh. He is currently the artistic director of Louis Vuitton men’s wear. The New York Times described his new title, chief disruption officer, as “fairly nebulous,” which I found to be odd, and more like a check on the newspaper’s own ego and perceived authority. GQ Australia doesn’t know either. As for me, I know exactly what a chief disruption officer does. Anyone considered a "pundit of pop culture" knows how to make things (music, art, clothes, books, written words, anything) that talks back to current events, conversations, and hardships happening around them in a way that challenges current conversations, or starts an entirely new one. Sometimes a trend. They have a special trade, but their impeccable curation skills (and delegation skills) allow them to navigate different worlds. This is what Virgil has proven he knows how to do. And his new role will only give him more room to do that in relation LVMH's Wine and Spirits and Hospitality categories.
So now you know what a chief disruption officer does. The way Virgil connects design, thoughts, hype, perceived value, his hometown of Chicago, and music to create ripple effects across fashion makes me wonder, who in the world of beauty is doing the same?
(Also, I feel like I need to say this because liking or not liking Virgil has become a Personal Trait: I’m just observing what I see happening.)
MEDIA DROPS
23 Newsletter Writers on Their Favorite Newsletters — Jack Denton. *so happy to be included in this, shout out to Hunter Harris of Hung Up.*
Why Some Black Women Are Going Back to Relaxers — Kovie Biakolo. *raises hand in the back!!!*
Piercing Your Baby's Ears Doesn't Make Them a Girl — Angela Ruiz *never thought about this, but yes. Also loved hearing her perspective as Puetro Rican woman.*
Prom, After a Senior Year Interrupted — Melinda Fakuade. *so good*
In Praise of Sweat — Kari Molvar. *on sweat having spiritual significance. i’ve always kind of felt this way, but never truly indulged the idea!*
The Tweet That Launched a Thousand Dye Jobs — Jessica Matlin and Jenna Rosenstein. *loved the photos*
Facebook’s Next Target: The Religious Experience — Elizabeth Dias *👀*