A Swedish spray tan specialist, known as Emma Tan, has sparked controversy because of their newest shades. Shades include dark ash, chocolate, black onyx, and caramel. People are upset because they believe the shades imitate the skin color of a black person.
Normally spray tans are used to imitate the effects of the sun on the skin, and most people are aware of the damaging effects it has on the skin. When it comes to spray tan many of us are reminded of the orange tinted skin on the cast from Jersey Shore, but it seems spray tanning is taking a new, darker turn.
Currently, their site has sold out of caramel, coconut, and chocolate.
BET is calling this new product “Black face in a can.”
Are these darker tones just a new degree to tanning or is it just as offensive as the black face of the past?
Emma's spray tans aren't the only recent accusation of black face. Actress Zoe Saldana is under fire for darkening her skin and wearing a prosthetic nose in order to portray Nina Simone in the upcoming movie depicting the singer and activists' life.
Black face was often used in the past to imitate a black person in a movie or performance because the producers did not want to hire black people. White actors would darken their skin and overly exaggerate their lips.
Emma Tan posted on Instagram after opening her profile to the public again that her intentions were not to imitate the skin of a black person, and she says that after a shower the color appears more natural. She also explains that in Sweden, they do not get very much sun, so spray tan is the best option for their sensitive skin. She was very much in shock from all the backlash she has received on social media.
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