There has been a huge controversy on the new Tarte Shape Tape Foundation. Tarte recently launched their new foundation that only comes in 15 shades and there are only three dark shades... yes, only three.
People Are Talking
I heard about this issue when YouTuber, James Charles talked about it in his review. Many makeup artists on YouTube are sent products when they first release so they can give an honest review and oh... there were many honest reviews. Patricia Bright who is also another YouTuber did a review on this foundation.
You can watch it here. She was sent the darker shades and there was one that somewhat fit her skin tone but the worst part is that if she wanted to wear this foundation she would have to wear a color that doesn't match hers! How absurd is that? She said something that really struck out to me, "Yes, this color might fit me but what about the other girls who don't have a shade that fits their skin tone?" It's one thing to not have to worry about issues like these because they don't affect you specifically but if there is an issue- I'm a firm believer in speaking up despite whether it affects you or not.
Why only three?
There are about 12 shades that could fit almost anyone with a lighter skin tone but what about those who have darker skin tones? After Fenty Beauty recently came out with forty shades I really thought the makeup industry would get a hint. It's 2018!!!! We are a diverse community, we are accepting and it's upsetting that Tarte didn't think much about including people with darker skin tones.
Tarte has apologized and said they will come out with more shades and that their intentions were never meant in a malicious way but why couldn't they launch all of the shades at once? I'm sure it's not a money thing because their company is making bank for the amount they sell their products for. I just really hope the makeup industry becomes more inclusive and thoroughly thinks through the way they launch their products. A company can really go downhill for an issue like this. The message you send out to your customers is vital so it's important to think about what you're putting out there.
I'm not so sure anymore...
I've always been a Tarte fan but after this issue, I might be taking a step back. Darker shades should never be an afterthought. If you believe this isn't a big issue or people are being overdramatic then, that's fine. I just hope you weren't the one to complain about the Starbucks red cups... Big or small, a problem is a problem and the only way it's going to get fixed is if people speak up.