Fashion + Beauty

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Was Beyonce's skin white-washed?

Jesus, what a week for beauty advertising. First there was Nipplegate 2: Eva Mendes's Calvin Klein nip slip; then nude Olympians hawking Powerade; and now, L'Oréal's been caught with their pants down. And while we've heard of corporate "greenwashing," this is ridiculous.

Well, not really, but they are scrambling to deny allegations that Beyoncé's skin was lightened in the ad on the right, which appears in this month's Elle, Allure and Essence. Said the company in a statement to E! News:

"We highly value our relationship with Ms. Knowles. It is categorically untrue that L'Oréal Paris altered Ms. Knowles's features or skin-tone in the campaign for Feria's hair color."


Hm... Well obviously they're not going to admit any shenanigans, but now that we've kind of moved on past that whole Montauk Monster moment, people seem to be enjoying speculating how this particular aberration of nature could have occurred. Some are saying that skin color changes throughout the season, but that since it's summer she should be darker, if anything. But hello, this photo could've been shot anytime. Another popular theory is that the combination of lighting and makeup could've made her skin look lighter, or that there was some kind of snafu at the printers. Very possible, very possible.

Whatever the case may be, it seems like advertisers need to get really real really soon, because the public's bull ----- whistle is getting louder and more shrill. Of course, as much as I'm loving all of this, I can't stop thinking of that scene in the original Batman when no one can wear makeup anymore (the Joker tainted it all, duh) and the news casters are all depressed and everyone looks like ----- . Just sayin'...

Anyhoo, compare and contrast the photos. What do you think?

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Comments 1-10 of 93
  • Mz. Von's Avatar
    Posted by Mz. Von Fri Aug 8, 2008 10:27am PDT

    Okay, here's where you see definite tampering: the NOSE. The top of her bridge, between the eyes, is stronger and definitely Euro and not ethnic. Just compare the two and you easily see the change. SHAME ON YOU, Loreal!!

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  • Mira's Avatar
    Posted by Mira Fri Aug 8, 2008 10:43am PDT

    its quite obvious her image was white-washed... she needs to cut her ties with L'Oreal-- its not like she needs their money or promotions.

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  • rima10976's Avatar
    Posted by rima10976 Fri Aug 8, 2008 10:57am PDT

    It really doesn't matter, they are selling a product that's what business do. Look at it this way if it was a burger and they had to enhance that beefy meet to look delicious, by all means photoshop the sh!t out of that burger. Nothing is not always as they appear, But somehow to me I would like to know isn't Loreal a hair product and if that's the case why isn't noone talking about her hair being real or fake since that's what she's advertising. But what product you know that sells and the actual person/product look like that.

    People People get Real even though the advertisment is not. I mean come on this if life.

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  • rima10976's Avatar
    Posted by rima10976 Fri Aug 8, 2008 11:01am PDT

    It really doesn't matter, they are selling a product that's what business do. Look at it this way if it was a burger and they had to enhance that beefy meet to look delicious, by all means photoshop the sh!t out of that burger. Nothing is not always as they appear, But somehow to me I would like to know isn't Loreal a hair product and if that's the case why isn't noone talking about her hair being real or fake since that's what she's advertising. But what product you know that sells and the actual person/product look like that.

    People People get Real even though the advertisment is not. I mean come on this if life.

    Report Abuse
  • sunshine7503's Avatar
    Posted by sunshine7503 Fri Aug 8, 2008 11:10am PDT

    Does Loreal really think the public believes that actresses with that kind of money like beyonce and heather locklear really color their own hair?! I know people that are broke and still pay to have their hair done!

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  • Rowdygirl's Avatar
    Posted by Rowdygirl Fri Aug 8, 2008 11:24am PDT

    She has been getting progressively lighter for years. If you look at photos of her when she first came on the scene, she was much darker. Being the celebrity diva that she is, you know she approved these photos, so why is everyone shaming L'Oreal? Why not ask Beyonce why she is changing her looks so drastically? She seems to be the one with the real problem.

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  • Maureen's Avatar
    Posted by Maureen Fri Aug 8, 2008 11:31am PDT

    I'm facinated by it all and what great opportunity is implied by advances in make-up techniques

    Women of NOW have the option of bleaching out their skin tone to be several shades lighter to straight up ghost! The old saying stay black and die no longer applies thanks to his majesty the King of Pop!

    Michael Jackson pioneered the way to lighten skin tones gradually over time from black to cocoa, peachy-pink to vampire white and make it look Awesome!!! Oh God MichaelMichaelMICHAEL!!!!

    Ah yes please be open minded and allow change and advancement in technology and cosmetic medicine to allow us to experience other ethnicities. Because of this we can truly experience walking in another persons shoes and have a lil fun besides!

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  • Mysterious Gryphon's Avatar
    Posted by Mysterious Gryphon Fri Aug 8, 2008 11:35am PDT

    Do we really care how a beauty product portrays its models? Come on: we accept airburshed skin on a foundation model, thighs that have been shaved down to oblivion on an ad for cellulite cream, and eyelash extensions on a mascara model. We as a society and consumer base have proven that it doesn't matter how the company markets itself.

    I understand that this is about the suggestion that lighter skin = more beautiful. But let's compare that with the opposing suggestion that tanned skin = more beautiful. Which one is it?

    Who cares about a cohabitating pop starlet, who won't even admit to the world that she's married? Move on.

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  • Knows Better Now's Avatar
    Posted by Knows Better Now Fri Aug 8, 2008 11:50am PDT

    She hasn't been spray tanning lately, that's all. And if this was a Caucasian person, no one would say anything! Stars, and 'normal' people, use tanning products all the time, and vary from skin shades every week.

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  • K K's Avatar
    Posted by K K Fri Aug 8, 2008 1:23pm PDT

    who gives a crap

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Comments 1-10 of 93

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