Rihanna launching 40 shades of foundation in 2017 was a ground-breaking moment for the fashion and beauty industry. Within one month of release, Fenty Beauty’s sales were valued at $72 million and sold-out products with darker shades of foundation. The change affected by the Barbados beauty caused a huge paradigm shift in the beauty world. All of a sudden, brands started featuring more shades to cater a broader market. While the world picks up speed on having more representation in their products, we turn to a homegrown talent for inspiration.
Vanizha Vasanthanathan has long struggled with acceptance of her dark skin tone and was teased for it for most parts of her life. It was not until she was featured as a runway model for local fashion designers that her entire reality started changing form.
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After conquering many international stages, magazine covers and brands, Vanizha announced with pride that she has landed an international beauty campaign with makeup giants, SEPHORA.
She shared her excitement on Instagram with a caption stating,
“Aside from the personal achievement, the bigger picture is it’s “social importance” and this an example of a purpose that commercial platforms potentially can serve . Successes that we can all celebrate as a society, this joy doesn’t only belong to me, it belongs to every dark skinned girl and any man/woman who are proud of their dark skinned friends. It’s about time we take advantage of this platform to share our triumphs that changes another person’s life. Not to flaunt cliques, not to label/argue what is ideal” or isn’t ideal about how someone looks, definitely not to parade financial statuses. THIS IS IT. To make a difference big enough for everyone to celebrate together, to break barriers that have been stigmas that have lasted many many decades.
I never thought that I’d be living the life that I’m living today. I never thought that I would be where I am today, but then again, you never know what’s going to happen to you the next minute, which really is the most mesmerizing thing about life.
I thank the genuine souls that have constantly pushed me and told me that this is who I am and this is what I am made for. Seeing this picture today, I’m very proud of myself that I didnt give up on my dreams, to which I nearly did last year. This is my validation for not giving up, the perseverance and patience that led to the achievement of what I believe is an honest purpose. It is not a want, this is a need.
SPOT ME AT SEPHORA MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE, HONG KONG, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, INDONESIA, INDIA, THAILAND AND PHILIPPINES AND TAG ME on your instastory with the location and I would love to repost it ! Thank you so much”.
Thank you Vanizha for giving girls an opportunity to see the beauty within them and for paving an inclusive path towards beauty and fashion.
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