Shade Matching Isn’t Inclusive Yet — And We Need to Talk About

For years, Black women and melanin-rich individuals have had to “make do” with limited shade ranges in the beauty industry. Walking into a store and not finding your exact match isn’t just inconvenient — it’s exclusion.

Shade matching goes beyond simply being “dark” or “light.” Melanin-rich skin comes with a wide spectrum of undertones — red, golden, neutral, olive — and these nuances are often overlooked. The result? Foundations that look ashy, too orange, or completely off in natural lighting.

While brands like , launched by , have pushed the conversation forward with inclusive shade ranges, much of the Western beauty industry still lags behind. Many brands release only a handful of deeper shades — often without properly formulating for undertones — treating inclusivity as an afterthought rather than a standard.

True inclusivity means:

- A wide and balanced shade range from light to deep

- Undertones that actually reflect real skin tones

- Products tested on diverse skin types and complexions

For Black women, makeup isn’t just about beauty — it’s about being seen, represented, and understood.

Until inclusivity becomes the norm and not a trend, the conversation isn’t over.

Your skin deserves precision, not compromise.