50 Shades of Nude
Spring is finally here and I feel refreshed. My style is leaning more towards understated and simple styles. I am interested in neutrals and muted tones even though I love colour. Interestingly, finding a nude that compliments me is more difficult than picking a bright or neon colour.
Safe Brown
As a child, I was aware of colorism before racism. There is a tolerance level for what shade of dark skin is palatable. There are levels to the shit.
Being “safe-brown” is not limited to black people in North America. The same can be said in Latin America, East and Southeast Asia, India the Caribbean and Africa. With the surge of melanin mania on social media you would assume that people now appreciate dark skin however that is not exactly true. Many may like dark skin but not too dark.
Gilbert Arenas
In response to an Instagram post that read, “Dear Black Girl: You don’t have to be mixed to be beautiful,” an OG troll Gilbert Arenas went on a rant:
“How black are we talking??? Not to be funny can u name a beautiful black women on the outside … not brown skin … like tyrese black … top 50 most beautiful women off all time … the darkest women they have is (Keshia Knight Pulliam aka Rudy) (gab)) union) (taral hicks) (Serena Williams)”
“When u say African features black then u have (#1 lupita nyong’o) and she’s cute when the lights are off second is (Ajuma nasenyana) sorry but ewww so the black beautiful women u try to boost up is technically light skinned or brown skinned.”
One of my favourite YouTubers, Melachild details how her experiences with with black boys were detrimental and gave her anxiety. Their disparaging remarks about her dark skin affected her self-esteem.
Women of color have difficulties finding nudes that match their skin tones. Beige is the primary option in market for clothing and lingerie. I won’t touch upon make-up in this post. Nude is a loaded signifier of identity and value. These female entrepreneurs are providing women of colour with options. Please support small business!
Matched for Me
I get my Micles panty hose for Caribana from Marlise. I met her at a Mas Camp and she does colour consultations to make sure you get the right shade.
http://instagram.com/matchedforme
Email: All4UM4M@gmail.com
Love and Nudes
For years, Chantal Carter Taylor searched for nude lingerie that made her feel flawless in her own skin. She couldn’t find so she’s created her own.
Shades Hosiery Club
Jayne Nicole Jeary runs a luxury nude shade hosiery line for women of colour. Her new line, Jayne Nicole will launch later on this spring in 7 different shades.
When I look at my naked body I am not “nude”. Institutional discrimination perpetuates the idea that lighter skin is of “higher value” and self hate within our community perpetuates it. Remember though there at least 50 Shades of Nude.
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