Beauty brands are advocating for the redefinition of Black
MAC Cosmetics, e.l.f, and Morphe are just some of those involved with a campaign that’s seeking to shift perceptions about what it means to be Black. In 2020, the pressing question of ‘how can I help’ was one that dominated social media well into the following year. It came on the...
Current in Fashion + Beauty
Major shoe brands finally address size and gender inclusivity
Heels, pumps, and other ‘feminine’ footwear are often restricted to smaller sizing. But with increased pressure from consumers, the biggest brands on the market are working to include shoe lovers from all walks of life. Feet are funny things. Some love them, some really hate them. They’re big and small; wide...
Zara makes party dresses from pollution
The fast fashion giant has partnered with LanzaTech on a capsule collection featuring fabric made from recycled steel plant carbon emissions. If you read about H&M’s shift to sustainability last month, like me, you may be feeling somewhat relieved that fast fashion appears to have heard our unceasing cries...
Harry Styles’ beauty brand reignites discussion of modern masculinity
Not one to turn down a purple feather boa or a pearl drop earring, Harry Styles’ new beauty line, ‘Pleasing’, has reignited questions of sexuality and gender that constantly swirl around him. But must a man’s foray into makeup and skirts always be the subject of such social debate? On...
Beauty taps into the metaverse
Blurring the boundaries between real and virtual, the future of the internet has already caught the attention of cosmetics brands determined to keep tech-savvy consumers interested. As in a large majority of sectors, the worlds of beauty and technology have collided at an accelerating pace during the last few...
Why has Lush decided to quit social media?
The cosmetics brand is deactivating four of its accounts until platforms ‘take action to provide a safer environment’ for users. In an increasingly connected world, the idea of a leading company quitting social media seems unthinkable. Alas, just this week, British cosmetics brand Lush announced its decision to quit Facebook, Instagram,...
Could your skincare regime be endangering sharks further?
One ingredient in popular skincare items is regularly sourced from endangered, deep ocean dwellers. Shark fin soup has racked up serious blame for the depletion of shark populations around the world. But even if you aren’t eating sharks, there’s still a possibility that your daily habits are contributing to the great endangerment of the species. Inside the liver of sharks is a sought-after oil called squalene. Known for its hydrating and...
Relaxed attitudes towards cosmetic procedures are dangerous
Cosmetic surgeries have become commonplace in our society, but even non-evasive procedures are never without risk. What can we learn about self-acceptance from one top model’s botched experience? The year is 2021, and you’d be hard pressed to find a celebrity who hasn’t undergone a nose job, brow lift, or sculpted their face with derma filler even slightly. In terms of body modification, female rappers and others in the spotlight have...
Why the beauty industry should be selling rejected products
To save our planet, the environmentally damaging industry would do well to follow in sustainable fashion’s footsteps and begin turning unwanted off cuts into a zero-waste solution. In 2021, the negative connotations once linked to pre-owned fashion are no more. During a time in which the threat of climate change is impossible to ignore, second-hand shopping is all the rage and many of us take immense pleasure in scouring thrift...
How Gen Z is pushing beauty to be more diverse and accepting
Leaning into a natural skin aesthetic while still leaving room for makeup experimentation, Gen Z is changing the way we approach beauty products. We already know that Gen Z is the driving force of pushing boundaries, both in terms of social change and creating new trends. This is especially evident in the beauty industry, which has had to adapt itself to earn the respect and trust of younger consumers. A core ethos...