Fashion + Beauty

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

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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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From the Community…

Comments 11-20 of 110
  • Superwoman's Avatar
    Posted by Superwoman Fri Aug 8, 2008 3:52pm PDT

    Why are so many blacks in the entertainment business lightening thier skin? What are they ashamed of? "BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL" There isn't enough money in the world that could make me want to lighten my skin for some stupid commercial.

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  • jessicatastrophe_70x7's Avatar
    Posted by jessicatastrophe_70x7 Fri Aug 8, 2008 4:09pm PDT

    bad lighting, printing snafu.

    yes.

    its not a huge deal.

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  • AngieBaby's Avatar
    Posted by AngieBaby Fri Aug 8, 2008 4:23pm PDT

    wow, a mountain out of a mole hill.

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  • mabcosmic's Avatar
    Posted by mabcosmic Fri Aug 8, 2008 6:16pm PDT

    Women of all races get photochopped for the sake of mass media representation. It sucks. The fact is, nobody really fits into that ideal mold or else they wouldn't have to adjust skin tone, breast size, or facial features.

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  • 's Avatar
    Posted by Fri Aug 8, 2008 7:08pm PDT

    The world is a mess; who really cares about Beyonce's skin! I don't have anything thing against anyone however I have to laugh at how black people get angry at whites if they wear afros, baggy pants or listen to rap music etc... saying we're trying to be black and yet you see black girls with blonde, straightened hair, light contact lenses etc... What's that about? Like I said; with all that's going on in this world that's horrible and affects all of us, who really cares about the small foolish stuff?!

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  • Cajonestx's Avatar
    Posted by Cajonestx Fri Aug 8, 2008 7:25pm PDT

    Alterations to pictures are nothing new. While it may not be noted - I feel most of them are - air brushed, white-washed or otherwise enhnced - anything to sell more magazines.

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  • sweetheart1982's Avatar
    Posted by sweetheart1982 Fri Aug 8, 2008 8:08pm PDT

    I don't really think this is a big deal, maybe the picture was taken in the winter months or with less tanning? You can still tell it is her. I for one am paler in the winter and get about as dark as the picture on the left in summer since I am outside way more. Also her hair dye job is way blonder in the lighter photo so that makes the picture look more drastic than it really is.

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  • Tierra's Avatar
    Posted by Tierra Fri Aug 8, 2008 8:53pm PDT

    it could be the light on the camara.and on the one where she looks light could be the make up to mack her look soft

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  • night owl's Avatar
    Posted by night owl Sat Aug 9, 2008 1:00am PDT

    RELAX GIRLS, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANOTHER MICHAEL JACKSON ON OUR HANDS, SHE'S BEAUTIFUL! JEALOUS GIRLS. SHAME ON YOU! I THOUGHT THE THING WITH WHAT COLOR YOU ARE WENT OUT WITH RACISM! I SEE NO COLOR. AGAIN SHE'S JUST RIGHT, DON'T YOU THINK? BEYONCE, EVEN HER NAME IS BEAUTIFUL! GET OVER IT.

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  • jade's Avatar
    Posted by jade Sat Aug 9, 2008 1:37am PDT

    uhm... who cares???

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Comments 11-20 of 110

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