This Week in Beauty: The Body
Latest beauty news, career opportunities and media drops.
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 🧠⚡️💄
Hi! Hello everyone! I feel like it’s been a minute since I’ve simply said, “how are you?” in this newsletter. Well, we’ve all had to rethink how we greet one another the past (almost) two years.
Every week I aim to share my POV in a way that feels quick, but not lazy. That is a lot of precision and hard work, and the truth is I’m a longwinded girl! 😂 You’ll notice this week’s newsletter is shorter and more to the point. I’ve been focusing my energy on projects related to this beauty, politics, pop culture, but it also means a shift in my time as I continue to learn how to manage my schedule. (It would be different if I was earning enough money from my newsletter so compensate for my time, but since that’s not the case, I am constantly shifting my time priorities. That is the candid, honest, very real reason!)
Still, here you will find my brain on beauty; whose helping to redefining beauty — and how I choose to define it from my own lens. Makeup, hair, skincare, nails but also women’s health, self care, gender and sexuality, coverage of people (athletes, musicians, creatives, etc.) who are in true pursuit of wellness, spirituality, aaand internet culture, when I see that it points toward bigger trends or messages. That said, you will still find a ton of fascinating stories from the past two-ish weeks. Remember this is a newsletter you can revisit and enjoy at any time.
Also, are you following me on TikTok? Just made a killer video and it’s on Instagram too if that’s more your speed. — @darian
On abortion: “My Body, My Choice” Doesn’t Meet the Demand of this Moment' by Barbara Sostaita
“While the language of bodily autonomy has been crucial in securing reproductive rights, it’s obvious that “my body, my choice” fails to meet the demands of this moment. Instead, it’s being appropriated by people who reject any kind of responsibility to the other. In the end, “my body” is vulnerable to and caught up in yours, and my choices are shaped by and inseparable from yours.”
Essence Ventures acquires Beautycon, Moj Mahdara out
Exclusive from The Wrap: Beautycon Comes to Ugly End: CEO Moj Mahdara Out, Website Dark, Assets Sold in Foreclosure
Poet Amanda Gorman is Estée Lauder's Global Changemaker. “As opposed to, say, spokeswoman or ambassador or “face,” though she will also be all of the above,” according to the NYT. Read more about her unique contract.
Naomi Osaka lost at the U.S. Open this Friday; she essentially broke down in tears as she said in the press room, “I feel like for me recently, when I win, I don’t feel happy; I feel more like a relief. And then when I lose, I feel very sad.” She went on to say this doesn’t feel normal. All throughout LA, I see Noami’s image used, everywhere for the various brand collaborations she has; Sweetgreen posters, bus stop ads, billboards in the sky. This has been heartbreaking to witness.
Fashion Fair is back! Inside the legendary cosmetics brand’s long-awaited relaunch.
I was part of American Express’ vodcast Built to Last Podcast. On the episode with Lip Bar founder Melissa Butler I outline the history of Fashion Fair:
This “magical” viral eye cream has more than 16 million views On TikTok.
Deep dive: What Happened When Peter Thomas Roth’s Eye Product Went Viral On TikTok.
Dr. Bronner’s is offering employees a $1,000 bonus to get vaccinated.
Private Equity-Backed Haircare Brand (and cult favorite) Olaplex files for IPO
The Body Shop and Dove campaign against the European Chemicals Agency to maintain EU’s ban on animal testing.
Aesop is continuing its efforts of filling its store shelves with LGBTQIA+ books. During Pride month in June, Aesop cleared the shelves of shops in Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto to make room for books written by LGBTQIA+ authors. Now its headed to the UK; Soho and Borough locations.
Collabs & Celebz: Surprisingly light this week! We love that.
Jennifer Aniston is launching a beauty line.
Bella Hadid is now a ‘co-founder’ of wellness drinks brand kin euphorics.
Jonathan Van Ness' JVN Hair Line is here.
And he has a new self-care class on Skillshare, announced around the same time.
OPPORTUNITIES - (pass them on.)
Brown Girl Jane’s #BrownGirlSwap Grant Competition is back. They've teamed up with Shea Moisture to give two Black Women-owned, independent beauty and wellness brands $150k. 10 businesses will be awarded $10,000. Apply here or forward this to someone you know.
Bephie’s Beauty Supply is looking for a full-time Social Media Specialist based in L.A.:
MEDIA DROPS
The Highs and Lows of the Beauty Industry, According to Leiomy Maldonado and Junior Mintt — Darian Symoné Harvin (me!!!).
I pitched this to be part of The Cut’s Black Beauty Matters series and I am so thrilled with how it turned out. I will never ever forget this conversation I had with Junior Mintt and Leiomy; it will stay with me forever!
Them recently wrapped up Body Week, “a weeklong series, we're exploring what it means to be queer and have a body.”
I Hate How Much I Love My Skims —Tahirah Hairston
Tahirah and I have talked about this endlessly (and for months). I love the ton of it; a leveled observation of something that can no longer be ignored, from the lens of a Black girl who wears Skims and is also highly (and acutely) aware of the politics of her decision. Also, remember this video?! Lots of addition thoughts there.
The Global Pursuit of a Bigger Butt — Crystal Martin
The Future of Hair Loss Treatments Will Involve a Lot More Robots — Beth Shapouri
Zandra Rhodes on Her Signature Rainbow Beauty Look, and Why Her Hair Will Always Be Pink — Lauren Valenti
Laru Beya Collective Is Revolutionizing Surfing for Black and Brown Youth — Juliette Kenn de Balinthazy
The Competition for Miss America 1984 Was Business as Usual — Until Everyone Got a Look at Vanessa Williams — Amy Argetsinger
Can You Manifest Hotness? — Laura Pitcher (The short answer is yes! Trust me, I know)
Selfmade CEO Stephanie Lee on Redefining Resilience — Carla Seipp
What Beauty and Fashion Mean for Black Culture | Every Day, Black — Vice 👇🏾
The video is with Paris McKenzie who I spoke to last October for this newsletter.
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