Youthforia has negative repercussions when it launches black pigment as a base color

The line named Date Night, by Youthforia, had previously been criticized in October 2023, for not having diversity in the dark base colors, and not being inclusive. As a solution, the brand launched another 10 new shades, the darkest being a black pigment.

Negative reactions

The video published on social media, by influencer Gorilla George, has more than 11 million views and 2 million likes, where she compares black paint with foundation, causing a discussion and controversy about cosmetic racism. Gorilla says “What we're telling you is to take the browns you've already made and create base tones. Do whatever you need to do in the lab to make it a darker shade of brown.”

@golloria

the darkest shade of the youthforia date night foundation.

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♬ original sound – golloria

^{Video went viral for comparing the product with paint (Reproduction/Tiktok/Gorilla)}

Beauty journalist, professional makeup artist and content creator, Tássio Santos, who talks a lot about black representation in beauty and inclusion, took a stand in a video explaining the composition of the product, “It seems like mockery”, it says.

^{(Reproduction/Instagram/herdeiradabeleza)}

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Other internet users also pointed out the fact that the product looks blackfacea form used in theaters in the 19th century to represent black people, creating exaggerated stereotypes, which is a racist practice. “Why do they put paint in a pot and call it foundation?”wrote one consumer.

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@paigechappel Why did they put black paint in a bottle and call it foundation??? #foundation #foundationreview #makeup #youthforia ♬ original sound – paige chappel

^{(Reproduction/Tiktok/paigechappel)}

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Youthforia's response

The brand's founder, Fiona Co Chan, took a stand responding to comments on social media saying that the product was tested with makeup artists and real people and says she doesn't understand the negative repercussions, as she heard the previous criticisms and wanted to create something more inclusive.

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Featured Photo: Youthforia black pigment (Reproduction/Youthforia)