The Black Beauty Effect
Inspirational series profiles Black beauty game changers.
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The Black Beauty Effect
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Black Beauty Effect is a docuseries that celebrates the cultural changes taking place in the overall beauty industry thanks to the efforts of Black women to claim their place in it. It features archive footage of models wearing skimpy outfits, as well as racist images and conversations about beauty stereotypes, all of which are offered in context. Beauty products and logos for L'Oreal, Maybelline, Fashion Fair, Iman Cosmetics, and others are prominently featured throughout. Fashion publications like Allure and Essence and social media content on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook are also important parts of the narrative. The overall presentation sends positive messages about Black identity and culture, body image, and self-empowerment.
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What's the Story?
Created and produced by Degrassi: The Next Generation's Andrea Lewis, THE BLACK BEAUTY EFFECT is a three-part docuseries that examines recent changes in the beauty industry from Black women who have inspired social change within it. It features interviews with performers like Glee star Amber Riley and Bob The Drag Queen, beauty writers like former Essence magazine editor-in-chief Mikki Taylor, award-winning makeup artist Sam Fine, content creators and influencers like Jackie Aina and Shalom Black, and brand business leaders like Melissa Butler, founder of The Lip Bar. They discuss the history of the Black beauty and fashion aesthetic, and how Black women are using this to reclaim and redefine beauty standards in empowering ways. Conversations with scholars, along with archive footage highlighting historic trends and major changes to Black skincare, hair, and makeup are also featured. Collectively they define and articulate what the "Black Beauty Effect" is, and how it will continue to revolutionize the beauty industry.
Is It Any Good?
The inspiring docuseries celebrates Black women and others who've disrupted the traditional, White-centered beauty industry culture and those who continue to reclaim, reinforce, and transform it. It discusses how Black beauty aesthetics have historically and repeatedly inspired fashion trends and contributed to popular culture, and reveals how the beauty industry is undergoing major changes to become more inclusive. More importantly, The Black Beauty Effect underscores how Black women, including contemporary media influencers, are claiming their space in it and become thriving innovators, collaborators, and creators. Overall, The Black Beauty Effect pays homage to those who have inspired this beauty revolution and celebrates the broadening of beauty standards of the business.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the history of the Black beauty industry. There's a history of Black industry leaders who have created beauty products for the Black community. Is the mainstream beauty industry in the United States and Europe fully embracing consumers with dark skin today?
What does The Black Beauty Effect reveal about the role of social media plays in the evolution and transformation of Black beauty in the beauty industry? Could this revolution be happening without distribution outlets like Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram?
TV Details
- Premiere date: November 25, 2022
- Cast: Andrea Lewis, Amber Riley, Meagan Good
- Network: Xfinity
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Empathy, Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: March 1, 2023
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