Cultural Appropriation in the Beauty Industry

Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Appreciation

Cultural appropriation is one of my favorite discussions to speak on. Cultural Appropriation has a heavy presence in the beauty industry. Many would argue cultural appropriation is cultural appreciation, which is two completely terms of context. Before furthering the discussion, I want to define cultural appropriation, to distinguish the context from cultural appreciation.

Cultural appropriation is the adoption of elements of one culture by members from a different culture. The elements being copied are often from minority cultures, which become adopted by the dominate culture. The elements being copied loses its original meaning and is viewed as disrespectful. Often times, there is a deep meaning to the originating culture that is being imitated. The important message of cultural appropriation is the imitator who does not experience oppression is able to “play” or “resemble” the originating group without experiencing any of the daily discrimination faced by other cultures.

Cultural appreciation is learning about another culture respectfully and with value. Importantly, being self-aware and willing to learn/understand another culture helps to broaden your own perspective.

Blackfishing in the Beauty Industry

Now having the level of understanding, let’s dig deeper to the issue of cultural appropriation. I have noticed many women in the beauty industry using cultural appropriation to their “advantage” or to make a profit. Many white women in the beauty industry, whom are social influencers are "blackfishing." Blackfishing is a term used to describe someone who masquerades as a black person in order to deceive.

Recently, a popular beauty influencer named Emma Hallberg has been accused of pretending to be “black” to gain more followers. Emma is such a perfect example of cultural appropriation. Prior to the back lash of Hallberg, I would notice her pictures on the explore page via Instagram and I assume she was a biracial woman. Turns out, Hallberg is Swedish. Hallberg defends herself by stating she tans a lot. I think Hallberg goes through extreme lengths to get her skin very dark and if you check out her profile, she tries to imitate black features. Hallberg eludes the features of a black women but, is a pale white Swedish woman. I was very deceived by the misrepresentation as a black women. I believe this is very distasteful and tricks people like myself into believing she is a black woman.

Kardashian Kultural Appropriation

Notoriously, the Kardashian clan has made a capitalistic venture on cultural appropriating black women. The Kardashian features of curves, lip fillers, plastic surgeries, make-up, and fashion are all “aesthetics’ to resemble a black woman. The family has profited majorly from racial ambiguity. Let’s take Kylie Jenner for example. Kylie Jenner has a popular makeup line which she made her fortune from using her fuller fake lips to sell the products. Although, I am a black woman, I do not have big fuller lips, but my cousins, mother, and sister have. I recall the stories of them explaining how they were picked on and bullied for their appearance of having big lips. Jenner may not understand the culture and stigma in which goes into being a black woman daily, but it’s very ignorant.

Being Black in America

On a national level in America, black people have always been shamed and discriminated because of their African ancestry features. Black features have always been labelled as “unattractive” or “undesirable”, but when a white person imitates a black woman, its noted as “exotic”, “chic”, or “innovative”. I always say, “Everyone wants to a be a black person, until it’s time to be a black person.” I know some will understand and others may not. I often say this because if you are not a black person you will never understand the issues first hand my race faces every day. It is very offensive and ignorant when others imitate black culture. As a black woman who loves make-up, I want to educate and have others be aware of cultural offenses they partake in.

It's important to be aware and listen to others who are explaining the reasons why cultural appropriation is wrong. Cultural appropriation is at an all-time high and white women who are beauty influencers practicing this needs to stop. There are others ways of being original and creating new ideas to gain popularity on social media, but cultural appropriation is not one of them! Cultural appropriation should be a wake-up call to the beauty industry to start supporting and uplifting black women because there is a lack of representation in the industry.

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