Since posting the news about Lupita Nyong’o’s new role as the ambassadress of Lancôme, I’ve seen quite a few misconceptions online. Allow me to address them one by one!
Lupita for Lancome! Her first official image, sent by Lancome PR
#1 – Lupita Nyong’o is NOT Lancôme’s first ever woman of color representative. Arlenis Sosa has been a spokesmodel for the brand since 2009. Lupita is their first celebrity ambassadress of color. She joins the likes of Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Penélope Cruz, and Lily Collins in that role.
#2 – There may have been a time when Lancôme didn’t have the widest range of foundations, but they definitely have stepped up their game in recent years. Dual Finish (my latest favorite, click here for my review), comes in 32 shades. Makeup artist favorite Teint Idole Ultra 24H comes in 28 shades, from Ivoire to Suede C. Teint Miracle comes in 31 shades. Sometimes, if you don’t see your shade at the counter, it’s because that department store or boutique has decided to limit their offerings. It doesn’t mean that the brand doesn’t make your color. It just means you should look online to see if they do, and shop online.
#3 – Obviously Lancôme makes makeup for Lupita’s shade range – otherwise, why would she sign on to be their spokesperson? Some of the comments I’ve seen seem to assume a lack of agency on Lupita’s part. She is an Ivy League educated woman with an acute awareness of her importance to young girls who look like her and are looking up to her. She spoke eloquently on this in her compelling interview with WWD:
“What appealed to me about Lancôme is that they’re not dictating what beauty is,” she said. “What they do supports something that already is — and that was appealing to me, too. It’s what drew me to them. Hopefully it’s a symbiotic relationship — that I benefit from being associated with them, and they benefit from being associated with me, as well. And for the consumer at large, I think Lancôme has a range of products for every woman, and I think having me will expand people’s understanding of, hopefully, what Lancôme stands for, who Lancôme is for.
“I had to give a speech about beauty right before the Oscars,” she continued, “and for me, beauty is a compassion for yourself and those around you. And I think that in focusing on that, the light inside illuminates the beauty outside. The idea that Lancôme now has a few actor ambassadors is significant because actors are not just faces, they are spirits that people enjoy and relate to more than in an aesthetic way. We have the privilege of standing for something other than just looks.” One of Nyong’o’s personal inspirations is model Alek Wek. “When she came on the scene, I felt more seen,” said Nyong’o. “Having me on a huge campaign like this will hopefully do that for other girls or people who feel unseen or underseen.”
She gets it. She gets the excitement and concern and questions. I really think she made a great decision for herself here.
I reached out to my friends at Lancôme for a detailed breakdown of Lupita’s look in her official first photo, so those who had questions about the range of shades could see for themselves what Lupita uses.
Image via Lupita Nyong’o's instagram
Here’s exactly what she’s wearing:
Blush Subtil in Shimmer Violet Sunrise
Le Crayon Poudre pencil in Brunette
Color Design Eyeshadow in Bronze Amour
L’Absolu Rouge in Amande Sucree
I love the subtleness of this look, it enhances her luminous skin!
Lancome also sent me the breakdown of a flashier look, seen on Lupita during awards season at an Oscar party. Makeup artist Nick Barose gave Lupita a cobalt eye for the ages!
Here she’s wearing:
Lancôme Artliner 24H Bold Color Precision Eyeliner in Sapphire
And on her lips,
YSL Rouge Pur Couture in #1 Le Rouge
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel No Shine Lip Balm
In case you were curious about trying Lancôme and wanted to know what specific colors and shades might work for you, that’s a great start.
What are your thoughts on Lupita for Lancôme? What do you hope to see from their relationship, and what products are you most interested in trying?
Your page doesn’t work well on an iPhone. You should look into that. I can’t read this post.
agreed and that’s something I need to work on…
Thanks. Also for Android phones. Much love.
Whatever Lupita is selling, I;m totally buying!
heartily cosign!
I’m cautiously optimistic to see a dark skinned beauty being offered a spokeswoman contract by a major high end makeup brand. Hopefully other high end makeup brands – yes I’m talking to you Chanel, Guerlain, Givenchy, etc. – will diversify their brands’ product selections and offer spokesperson status to women of color as well. It’s ridiculous that we are still dealing with a lack of diversity in 2014. That being said, I’m looking forward to seeing Lupita’s future campaign(s) for Lancôme.
Great start to what will be an excellent collaboration.
I definitely prefer the first photo
I am very happy for Lupita! I used Lancome’s foundation over 12 years ago. It was moist and very natural on my dark skin. Excited to see hues for all women back with Lancome. Smart move. Thank you.
Is there a colour that is NOT this woman’s BFF???
I couldn’t hardly pull off that cobalt eye shadow and red lips, but she wears it like it ain’t no I had no idea that Lancome had so many shades. I never see *32* shades in department stores here.
I’m willing to give the line an ingredients check to see if I can wear their product.
We all should become more aware of Black owned companies and products and began to shift our economic influence in this country and all over the world.
http://www.harvard.com/book/divided_we_fall/
Benny, thank you, thank you for your comment and I will purchase the book.
Great post, love the look and the links are very helpful. It’s far past the time when other makeup companies follow Lancome’s example.
ladies check out https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCbakwB6S-4hKKlZtLzxf0BA
for hair and makeup videos for women of colour
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCbakwB6S-4hKKlZtLzxf0BA