This Week in Beauty: Let's Talk About Freedom
This Week in Beauty is a little late because… I was resting!
But that doesn’t negate the fact there were three big stories that fall under how we cover and talk about beauty on BEAUTY IRL.
Sha'Carri Richardson, who has been praised as That Girl after qualifying to run the 100-meter dash at the Tokyo Olympics and for her instantly iconic beauty look, will no longer be competing after testing positive for marijuana use. Chances are, you already know this. In an interview with the TODAY Show Richardson explained she smoked to deal with the emotional trauma of being told her mother died by a news reporter.
To remind you, marijuana is deeply associated with the wellness industry, where its positioned as an act of self-care. Black Americans are almost four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana use than white Americans, although they use it at similar rates. Marijuana’s legalization across the U.S. (18 states, two territories, and Washington, D.C.) will make it a $70 billion industry by 2028.
Swimming caps designed for voluminous hair by the Black-owned company Soul Cap will not be allowed at the Olympics. FINA (the International Swimming Federation) denied their submission, one reason being the caps didn’t follow ‘the natural form of the head.’ Previously, Soul Cap has partnered with British swimmer Alice Dearing, who will be the first Black female swimmer on Great Britain’s Olympic team.
Here, co-founder Tok Ahmed talks about his motivation for creating the caps: his daughter and her desire to swim with one less thing to stress about.
Last Thursday actress, TikTok-turned-media personality, and vegan cook Tabitha Brown responded to Wendy Williams’ take on her marriage after Brown expressed pride and gratitude for being able to retire her husband from the Los Angeles Police Department, where he worked for 17 years. It’s not uncommon for Williams’ targets to respond to her thoughts on their lives, but the demeanor Brown took on to address Williams caught attention.
I’m not a fan of reading the comments on Twitter but folks had interesting thoughts to add; both that agreed and disagreed with my opinion.
I’m going to be honest with yall: When I notice a person's energy is rooted in their spiritual or wellness practices, I consider it fair game to be included in beauty conversations. It’s the things unseen that can influence the way we show up in a room or on a phone screen.
Knowing this, it was no surprise to me when I found out Brown would be honored at the CROWN Awards, which took place on Saturday, July 3rd. Yes, for her luscious curls, but ultimately, her efforts to create community and lead by example.
And as much as the JOY Collective and The CROWN Coalition are working to end race-based hair discrimination in the workplace and educational arenas, their bigger pursuit is freedom in all ways for Black people.
In June I wrote a story for Allure and spoke to Black women about why they decide to their bonnets where ever they like. “Black women shouldn't have to be "allowed" to do anything,” A Very Good Job agency owner Crystal Anderson told me. “At this juncture, we should be beyond reproach for the choices that we make in our lives. Hearing people pontificate on bonnets and policing Black women is actual insanity.”
“Bonnets” in this sentence could easily be replaced with “marijuana” or “hair” or “one’s love life” and it wouldn’t change the meaning of Anderon’s point. It’s also important to note here that Richardson took responsibility for breaking a rule. Here’s sports reporter Taylor Rooks:
I think a lot about freedom, and the desire we all feel to be seen and heard while we are in the midst of fighting to be ourselves. This desire shows up in our beauty practices. But what happens when someone, or some institution, tries to take away that freedom? This question is being answered in real time, so I’m just connecting the dots.
We will be continuing this conversation on Clubhouse *today*. Set a reminder or click here to join at 8am ET/11am PT.
Here’s what else is going on 👇🏾
PAYING ATTENTION
In Norway, an amendment to the 2009 Marketing Act will make it illegal to share edited pictures of one’s body or face without acknowledging the editing. Advertisements that do continue to use edits must include a standardized label designed by the Norwegian Ministry of Children and Family Affairs.
Speaking of Instagram, L'Oreal and Facebook have partnered to provide virtual makeup try-ons within their shopping feature.
Pinterest has taken a step in combating toxic diet culture by banning all weight loss advertisements on the platform. Their head of content Aya Kanai told Allure that they will no longer accept advertisements that "discuss weight loss, reference BMI, or show before-and-after imagery or imagery that idealizes certain body types and features."
Kim Kardashian professed to playing no parts in creating unattainable beauty standards. She said it during the second part of the reunion show for Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Last week, she announced a new partnership between Team USA. Her shapewear brand Skims (keyword: shapewear) will provide the official undergarments and loungewear for female athletes at this year’s Tokyo Olympics.
The FDA has approved the use of pharmaceutical company Galderma’s injectable dermal filler, 'Restylane Contour' for use in the cheeks for adults over the age of 21. This will be a game-changer in the world of non to minimal-invasive facial treatments.
Kataluna Enriquez has been crowned Miss Nevada, making her the first openly transgender woman to compete in the Miss USA pageant in its 69-year-history.
Rizos Curls became the first Latina-owned brand to be carried at Ulta. Founder Julissa Prado, who is Mexican, credits her “Rizos reinas” for advocating for the inclusion of Rizos Curls at major retailers. The brand will also provide a $5,000 grant to a minority-owned business.
Photographer St. Clair Detrick-Jules interviewed Black and Afro-Latina women about their natural hair journeys for her upcoming book, My Beautiful Black Hair: 101 Natural Hair Stories from the Sisterhood. She created the book out of a desire to teach her eight-year-old sister to love her afro.
Hims and Hers Health Inc is acquiring teledermatology brand Apostrophe, the company that matches patients to dermatologists, in a deal that is set to close in the third quarter of this year.
Actor Scarlett Johansson is launching a skincare company, set to launch in 2022. No brand name, but we do know it’s backed by Najafi Companies, the same company that backs Tracee Ellis Ross's Pattern Beauty, Kendal Jenner’s Moon dental care, Shay Mitchel’s Béis, and Beach House Group, the agency working with all of these brands.
Yara Shahidi is the new face of Dior fashion and makeup. According to WWD, Blackpink’s Jisoo, actress Nina Dobrev, model Iris Law, and others will join Shahidi.
MEDIA DROPS
Meeting Another Trans Woman in Men’s Prison Made Me Believe in My Future Again — Vanessa Del Rio, as told to Nadja Eisenberg-Guyot. Check out the entire series, a partnership between PEN America's Prison Writing Program and Harper’s Bazaar.
Aligning Our Beauty Routines with Our Values — It’s me on The Takeaway, guest hosted by Melissa Harris-Perry. Melissa Harris-Perry is definitely someone I’ve watched and looked up to in media so it was genuinely exciting to talk with her. I mention her in this story I wrote for Teen Vogue on why braids were the hairstyle of the 2010s. And the host of The Takeaway, Tanzina Vega, was a guest on my podcast Am I Allowed to Like Anything in 2016.
The Unending Allure Of the Tattoo Boyfriend and the Pretty Girlfriend — Ashley Reese
Why Was All the Natural-Hair Packaging Gold? — Tembe Denton-Hurst
How Track and Field Became Center Stage for Black Glam — Shelby Ying Hyde
We’ve Skipped Lots of Dental Care During Covid. Now Hygienists Are Having a Wild Time — Andrew Mendez
Amina Mucciolo Sits Atop the Rainbow Curve — Mary Retta
Indonesia’s Burgeoning Beauty Scene — Mayu Saini
Billie’s Cinderella with a fairy drag-mother. — Vanessa Newman, Dylan McKeever, Nicole Najafi, and Asia Hunt
