Controversy Surrounding Youthforia’s Latest Foundation Release: Shade 600

The beauty industry is no stranger to controversy when it comes to providing inclusive products for all skin tones. The latest uproar surrounds Youthforia, a makeup brand that recently released its darkest foundation yet, Shade 600. However, the reception from Black women has been less than enthusiastic.

Golloria George, a dark-skinned beauty influencer, took to TikTok to express her frustration with the new foundation. In a video that has garnered over 34 million views, she compared the foundation to black acrylic paint, calling it “tar in a bottle.” This sentiment was echoed by many others who shared similar videos showcasing the mismatched shade.

Ms. George’s anger quickly turned to sadness as she highlighted the lack of consideration for dark-skinned women in the beauty industry. She expressed her disappointment in not being included in the range of shades offered by many brands, forcing her to resort to mixing her own concoctions to find a suitable match.

Youthforia, known for its innovative and bio-based beauty products, has faced criticism in the past for its limited shade range. Despite promises of expanding their offerings, the brand has continued to receive backlash for their latest release.

Cosmetic chemist Javon Ford weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that Youthforia may have missed the mark by not having a proper color benchmark for their foundation. He pointed out that the inclusion of a white base in the formula could be responsible for the unnatural gray undertones in Shade 600.

Despite the backlash, Youthforia is still selling Shade 600 on their website and at Ulta for $48 per bottle. The brand’s response to the criticism remains unclear as they have not addressed the issue publicly.

The controversy surrounding Youthforia’s latest foundation release serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for inclusivity in the beauty industry, particularly for dark-skinned individuals. As consumers continue to demand representation and diversity, brands will need to step up their game to meet the needs of all customers.