The Naked Truth
Celebrating Mimi Kamara's nude lip collection, Google's tribute to Mama Cax, Riri's comeback message, and a look at why mercury in beauty products is in the news!!
Mimik Beauty Takes Nudes to New Heights
One of the things I love about my work, on my podcast and this newsletter, is that I build relationships or tap into the connections I already have, both last beyond the interviews. I even follow my guests on social media to keep up with their careers or entrepreneurial progress. So, I was over the moon when I discovered that one of my favorite celebrity makeup artists and educators, Mimi Kamara (episode 35), was launching a nude Vegan lip gloss collection last fall called Mimik. If you have ever had the privilege to get your makeup done by Mi, she was famous for mixing up the most fabulous natural-looking pouts.
When she launched, I quickly ordered the whole collection. I am glad I did! The shades: Strength, Strategy, Favor. Mercy and Grace ($17 each or $75 for the collection) sold out quickly. So, some folks had to wait for a couple of days to get all that nude goodness. Since then, she added a clear gloss called Heaven. While I knew that I would make these shades my go-to during the day, what surprised me is how beautiful a nude lip can be with a dramatic eye for the evening.
Google Strikes The Right Pose with This Tribute
There are times when corporate efforts to celebrate Black History Month can either come off as performative or not very well thought out. When a company gets it right, it is good for us to take note. Google did just that with their February 8th #GoogleDoodle of Haitian American model and disability activist, Cacsmy Brutus (Mama Cax).
Mama Cax was diagnosed with cancer in childhood and became an amputee at a young age. She later excelled at wheelchair basketball and before her death, hand cycled the New York City Marathon in 2019. She was fierce and fabulous. Mama Cax pushed the boundaries of fashion by modeling in runway shows, being the face of beauty campaigns, and making inclusion an imperative. Google upped the ante by turning to a Haitian artist and illustrator, Lyne Lucien, to render the amazing images. Check out how Lucien was inspired by Mama Cax in the video below.
What You Need to Know About This New Legislation About Mercury in Beauty Products
When I heard about the recent bill championed by New York State Assemblywomen. Karines Reyes, related to banning mercury in beauty products. I was confused. Were products containing the ingredient really for sale in New York, let alone the rest of the United States?
Reyes (below) recently sat down with Brigid Bergin on the Brian Lehrer Show to discuss why she brought the bill before the NY State Assembly. Here’s the deal. Mercury can be a natural-occurring substance that is often used as a preservative in products but when used in larger doses can be linked to diseases and developmental disorders (because the ingredient may be passed from mother to child) and might also impact employees in salons or spas.
While Reyes says that the FDA has safe practices in place, she drafted the bill because there are potential dangers associated with products imported from Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa. Many of them are skin-lightening products sold in beauty supply stores in Black, Brown, and AAPI neighborhoods. The unregulated products don’t necessarily include the ingredient on their labels so if you are a customer, you won’t necessarily know that the product you are using contains mercury. Reyes says that the government is trying to regulate the import of the products and conducting raids of stores suspected of selling these compromising skincare offerings. But they also rely on customers reporting stores.
If you are tempted to purchase a product and the label seems dubious. It may be too good to be true. Don’t risk your health for a quick fix. Check out the full interview here.
Are You Ready for Rihanna’s Performance at Super Bowl Sunday?
If you are excited to see Rihanna take the stage for the first time in years this Sunday at The Super Bowl for the halftime show, raise your hand.
Well, even if you didn’t raise your hand, I hope this Apple Music spot will get you in the mood. I am celebrating Rihanna because she’s never forgotten where she came from/ And the girls featured in this spot are winners. See you next week.