L’Oreal: “We Don’t Want Black Women Selling Our Cosmetics”

Posted on June 26th, 2009 - By Bossip Staff

Categories: Beyonce, For Discussion, For the Ladies, Lawsuits, News, SMH

loreal-beyonce

We hate to hear things like this. Whenever major companies make statements like this, we need to ban together and boycott them. L’Oreal may whore Beyonce, Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington for their cosmetics and hair care products but we as consumers don’t have to buy their bullsh*t.

Flip the script for more

French cosmetics giant, L’Oreal, who has hired Beyonce and other African-American personalities to front their products is in hot water. It’s ok for us to peddle their products but not ok for us to work behind the scenes. The highest court in France determined that executives at Garnier, L”Oreal’s beauty products division, intentionally created an all-White sales teams to promote their shampoos throughout the country, according to TimesOnline.com. Blacks, Asian and Middle Eastern women were hardly ever considered for hostess positions.

In fact, a fax was issued into evidence that requested hostesses must be between 18-22 years old, wear a European size 38-42 and be BBR. Apparently, BBR stands for “bleu, blanc, rouge” or French for “blue, white, red” the colors of their French flag which is also code for white people. This ends a three-year legal battle for the L’Oreal bosses who apparently were “disappointed” by the court’s decision. They will now have to pay 30,000 Euros in fines and another 30,000 in damages.-WLW

With the amount of money our community spends on beauty and hair care products, they should be welcoming black women into their company to help sell their products. SMH

Eva LongoriaBeyonce L'OrealKerry Washington

Source

  • NEEKYUK

    1st!! .. Fu*k L’oreal!! My friend used to work for them and said the same thing. I never buy their products.

  • Golden Goddess

    i won’t buy L’oreal ever again!!

  • http://urbanfrugalchic.com Cynthia

    I cannot believe this story…this is disturbing! Glad this suit is public and they didn’t try to keep it hush hush

  • http://www.myblackisbeautiful.com Symone

    I don’t wear their products anyway, so they don’t have to worry about this black woman!

  • NOLA

    i think the actresses and entertainers who model for them should step up and say something , but thats too much like right.

    as a whole our black women are more into Mac anyway.

  • http://www.freewebs.com/bestsexever CinJin

    Peace out L’Oreal. You won’t get my paper!

  • think it through

    This happened in France, and was executed by French executives. It did not happen with the American division of the company which tells you it is not company policy to promote discrimination. If it were company policy, they would not have hired any person of color.

    Anywho, the products are pretty crappy to begin with, so no boycott needed.

  • frida

    Time to let L’Oreal how I feel about their racist
    business practices. BOYCOTT their products & send them an email telling I am. Hit them in their bank accounts. I’m sure they stop their racist ways that way.
    Gotta go, throwing out all my L’Oreal cosmetics & hair products right NOW!!!
    P.S. They have no trouble raking in our “non-white money”.
    BOYCOTT L’OREAL!

  • Lee Lee

    Come one NOLA you know them fools not giving up their stack…and Bey is right on top. She would be pimping for Loreal for years to come.

  • thepromised1

    I hope black people take the queue and quit investing part of the 7 billion a year we spend on personal hygiene and fashion into these bum’s company and if the stars we support don’t stop peddling this garbage and distance themselves then we need to stop purchasing their goods too. MAC products is a good alternative.
    Black ppl stand up RIP MJ.

  • think it through

    And none of you will get far with a boycott anyway because L’Oreal owns all of these brands:

    SoftSheen Carson (boycott that!!)
    Garnier
    Maybelline
    Ralph Lauren Beauty
    Shy Emura
    Lancome
    Georgio Armani
    Kiehl’s
    The Boby Shop
    Diesel
    Redken
    Matrix
    Mizani (Mmm hmm)

    Look for yourself:

    http://www.loreal.com/_en/_ww/brands-l-oreal.aspx

  • http://www.twitter.com/IHearMusique Re—>I live in Bilbo Baggin’s shirt pocket.

    Aaaah, Loreal was wackness anyway. Never desired to purchase that mess…

    So…BYE.

  • 303

    i dont think people should get upset about loreal products – and who they choose to promote their line of cosmetics, i think certain product are for a certain race – i mean do you see white models advistizing black cosmetic – we as a ppl make a big deal about simple things – like cosmetic
    if you dont like what they stand for move on buy another products. there more important thing to stand up for in this day and time

  • http://peppermintblowpops.com Trey Tymes

    they always lighten her skin too!!! F L’oreal im glad im a dude i dont need it. check out peppermintblowpops.com

  • Ooops

    This is old news, the ad agencies have had that directive from them for years!!
    Vote with your money peeps move to their competition.

  • mamamia

    FYI: for those of you who say you don’t use L’oreal products, they own a gang of brands that I didn’t even realize until recently including

    Mizani
    Lancome
    Kiel’s
    maybelline
    Giorgio Armani fragrances
    Ralph Lauren frangrances

    There are a bunch more but I remember those for sure so there’s a lot more boycotting to be done if ppl are really pissed.

  • http://Bossip You feed into this bull crap if you want.

    This cheap product is not good for blacks anyway so who gives a f*ck. Take that cheap as product and shove it up your white ass!

  • QUEEN OF F’N SHEEBA

    If you want to honor morals, go with gover girl or Max Factor, Pat McGrath (a sista) is their GLOBAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR…..just a tidbit of info.

  • Nique

    @Apoc87

    Exactly! There are many different ethnic groups in France who are born and raised there. Although Im sure the executives meant the WHITES

  • Nique

    OH AND NOBODY IS OR HAS BEEN CHECKIN FOR L’OREAL

  • think it through

    I worked for MAC. That is not good make-up, sweetheart. It is very cheaply made. Again, look at the products the L’Oreal parent company owns. They make black hair care products (most of the better ones), Mizani and Softsheen.

    http://www.loreal.com/_en/_ww/brands-l-oreal.aspx

  • thepromised1

    there goes my obsession with Ralph Lauren cologne out the window, guess I’ll switch to Bvlgari

  • luvadhi

    Are we sure that this did not mean BLOND,BRUNETTE,REDHEAD?????…..as most hair caompanies specify when hiring models for promo events.

  • Me No Likey “is super sad, Hubby must stay in Iraq through July, when he was told June 26th was the end!”

    Please do your research. Loreal owns several smaller brands- so if you intend to boycott make sure you know which products to ignore.

  • HarlemWorld

    Don’t you see how you they lighten Beyonce’s skin hue in her advertisements!!!! I really hate that.

  • Iyan

    Never was a lo-ree-al fan anyway! Boycotting will be easy.

  • Louiethe8th

    Loreal can hire black people when BET hires white people. It goes both ways. Fukn morons!!!!

  • Iyan

    Bought a mascara once and was highly dissapointed, nuf said.

  • http://anonymous@yahoo.com …..*……*……*

    I will never buy Lo’real products again, as if i ever bought that many in the first place~~

  • http://www.bossip.com BMWdriver540i. …… ..Gone Night Fishing Because The Catfish Bite At Night!!!!!!!!

    Just like Tommy blacks will still buy it This I truely believe!

  • ME

    Beyonce said she isnt black anyway, so, oh well…and I could really care less because I have beautiful black skin and I dont wear cosmetics…AT ALL!!!!

  • DayShifter

    LOL!!!

    That’s what ya’ll get….. My Brothers and Sisters will NEVER learn!! Stop making these mutha-f*ckers rich!! We are seen as nothing more than consumers willing to lose our money on whatever the new fashion fad, pop star, athlete, car, bling…..etc. whatever!! WAKE THE F*CK UP!!!

  • RAWRR

    I’m not big on makeup so this isnt a loss. lol

  • CoCoa Suave’

    Never been much of a makeup fan, BUT if I did need the unexpected coverup Mac has the best non-allergenic quality powder. This doesn’t surprise me tho, I always figured L’oreal was more for the white folks anyway.
    This is just like Louis Vuitton, I can’t for the life of my figure why black people like to sweat their brand so hard and they make it PAINFULLY OBVIOUS that they don’t want US wearing it.
    Wise Up ppl.

  • The Institution of American Marriage Has Been Single- Handedly Dismantled By The Media

    who the hell wears L’oreal anyway or make-up for that matter? As a Black woman, I would never ruin my naturalness with clown paint!

  • http://facebook.com/ggoodei ggoodeimc

    But…what black woman buys L ‘Oreal products anyway…?

  • Ms. Brilly

    I’m not too upset about this. Loreal makes shampoo for a certain type of hair. That type of hair is, in many cases, not natural to Blacks so if they want to have whites peddle shampoo made for whites in France, it’s no skin off my back.

  • Girlie Girl

    Fortunately, there are many cosmetic co.’s who are more than happy to cater to the needs of women of color…screw Loreal…who needs them? We don’t.

  • joeyporsche

    most black ppl buy Dove anyways

  • Doomster

    ok, Beyonce, time to step up and be more than just a pretty face… time to be a leader. say something.

  • Consider this…

    @think it through

    Are you aware of how large the Black population is in France?

    Just because this wasn’t “in the American division” of the company doesn’t make it right. Hell, it doesn’t even mean that it’s NOT going on over here, we just haven’t caught wind of it…..yet. The Black diaspora ACROSS THE GLOBE is effected; our Sistas, and even our Brothas over in France need our support.

    Just something to think about.

  • HaitianZoe

    She looks pretty in the picture

  • twinkle

    If their lipstick/gloss causes your lips to look like Beyonce’s in the photo, they don’t ever have to worry about me buying their product. Her lips are very disturbing!

  • 303

    She looks pretty in the picture
    ____
    of course – pretty made up and air bursh
    with loreal products that you guts want to boycott
    lol

  • copelli21

    Screw L’Oreal!! Buy IMAN! There are other options.

    First they lightened Bey in one picture and now they photoshopped her lips. They don’t even look natural.

    Black women should boycott L’Oreal. End of story.

  • steelcitychick

    Please……….you black folks who are up in arms about this racist nonsense are full of shyt. Ya’ll gona go back to buying their produces as soon as they come up with the newest shade of lip color or hair color. Black folks are like sheep….ya’ll just follow where ever the white folks lead you. Ya’ll can’t stick together for shyt!

  • twinkle

    Yuck! This photo is disturbing!!! We need to boycott them for making her lips look like that!!!

    This is no personal hate. I love Beyonce and all, that my Birthday Buddy. I have never seen her lips look so DISTURBING!!!

    L’Oreal is wrong!

  • marina

    I will never buy one of their products again!

  • White Guy

    The funny thing is….. the owner of the business is a black guy…… trying to be white of course!

  • 303

    First they lightened Bey in one picture and now they photoshopped her lips. They don’t even look natural.
    ____________
    first, there is never anything natrual about beyonce
    she allow them to make her look like that -

    Black women should boycott L’Oreal. End of story.
    ___________
    and at the end of the day loreal is going to continue selling there products and trust me Black People will be buying it – cause not every black person feel the way you do – i happen to like the product – and i am quite sure there are a few blacks out there who has no problem with it .

  • SEXII MAMA

    OOOHHH OK SO THATS WHY THEY MAKE EVERYBODY SO LIGHT. THATS SO MESSED UP

  • Happy

    F*** L’Oreal

  • Consider this….

    @ steelcitychick and all my Black people

    Unfortunately, steelcity has somewhat of a point. Beyonce is proof of that. The most overexposed celeb in the world right now (how much more money do you need, really?) and you would think she would have said/done something about the skin-lightening incidents. But, like someone said earlier, that fu#ks with her money, that’s all her camp cares about and that’s too much like right, so I’m sure she’ll still be pimpin’ herself out to L’Oreal for years to come.

    Either way, Black people, we really have to up our cohesiveness and start coming together as a united front and demanding respect from these companies. Or we walk. We live in capitalistic society, our dollars speak louder than we ever could!

    So, steelcity 2 things:
    1) if you’re a Sista, could have been stated a little more diplomatically, but decent point.

    2) if you’re white, go fu#k yourself. This isn’t your issue.

    3) if you’re Kim Kardashian (as she frequents this site), go fu#k yourself on tape.

  • http://deleted John D. Hater

    MEMBA YA BAHTYBWOY FRIEND DEM GO TELL DEM RAS NOT BUY A NEXT TING FROM DEEZ BUMBA RASSES!!!

  • JUBEISAN

    Black people wake up. Is this a surprise. If you don’t like it open your own company.

  • steelcitychick

    @ Consider this….
    I am a Sista, and yes I could have been a little more diplomatic about my verbiage, but I’ll tell you what, sometimes I get tired of hearing black folks complain about things ,but never taking the steps necessary to stopping the situation.

  • Fernand

    The L’Oreal marketing team should include hostesses of all races if they want to have a truely global brand. Otherwise it will hurt their sales and ultimately the profitability which no shareholder likes.

  • http://www.cynoria.com cynoria.com

    I only use my own makeup line. Organic mineral makeup for brown to dark skin. You just don’t know which company you are buying from . They are all owned by one company now.

  • No u can’t be boyfriend #2!

    And this would be another reason for me not to buy their products! Like I didn’t anyway! **They can kiss their franchise goodbye!**

  • Marquis de Sade

    Well there’s always Dixie Peach Hair Grease and Dark n’ Lovely. LOL!

  • Redd Foxxx (Pretty Wings)

    My aunt taught me how to make my own make up out of natural ingredients. Quit making these corporations RICH! The rich get richer and the poor get poorer! I dont care if its MAC or Chanel stop it!

  • MEME

    Beyonce this is one company you need to fall back on before you end up being a part of their boycott. Stand for something or stand for nothing. We the public purchase your products as well.

  • Whut??

    Their make-up looks horrible on Black women. It’s no loss to us not to buy their products. Really, there are much better brands that blend better with our different skin tones. You can tell when a company really cares about the ethnic community wearing their products because they actually make you look decent, and not like your wearing a clown mask.

  • Wreckless Driver

    i dont think people should get upset about loreal products – and who they choose to promote their line of cosmetics, i think certain product are for a certain race – i mean do you see white models advistizing black cosmetic – we as a ppl make a big deal about simple things – like cosmetic
    if you dont like what they stand for move on buy another products. there more important thing to stand up for in this day and time

    Could not agree with you MORE!

  • michelle

    ah lol remember the white blond hair blue eyes lady who told me ” UNFORTUNATELY I DON’T THINK YOU ARE GOING TO FIT IN HERE”

  • bococalady

    i wear dreadlocks and black elegance cosmetics, so L’oreal can go f themselves.

  • Kigali-INTERdependent Black Woman) RIP MJ

    @Marquis De Sade,

    “Well there’s always Dixie Peach Hair Grease and Dark n’ Lovely. LOL!”

    This made me laugh on a very somber morning. RIP MJ.

  • Kigali-INTERdependent Black Woman) RIP MJ

    Black females need to stop begging for acceptance and accept themselves. Not in their current form however. Lose about 50lbs, grow your own hair, get married, lose the attitude, and then you can rightfully walk around like you guys are the shit.

  • Toesucker

    Khristal….

    You look like you have REALLY ticklish feet. Ever rested your barefeet on a man’s face and have him pay you?

  • SSCED

    @Cynthia

    That Pic is F…Georgous! Sure that’s not u tho…lol

  • 303

    wear dreadlocks and black elegance cosmetics, so L’oreal can go f themselves
    ___________________
    ummm dreadlocks and makeup shouldnt go together – you just wear your hair in dreads – you are not a ture dread locks —-

  • Illuminate Truth “Mind Control – Corruption of Your Thoughts – Destruction of Your Soul”

    A major corporation overlooks blacks for key positions within their company…..I’m waiting for the news story.

    Happens everyday….l’oreal just got caught this time.

  • ME

    @ suzy
    Sweetie, she did say it, and as far as you telling me to shut up……its all from behind the computer screen, baby, trust…..

  • http://www.myspace.com/ocky_j Octavia

    Marquis,

    There’s always Carol’s Daughter- an excellent, black-owned beauty line that features natural ingredients.

  • http://www.myspace.com/ocky_j Octavia

    @ mamamia

    I didn’t know they owned Mizani… but it makes sense now. Cuz Mizani is some over-hyped bullsh*t. It leaves a horrid residue and made my hair impossible to style.

  • Hottistchickinthegame

    And I’m assuming that is a picture of Beyonce above, but she looks STRAIGHT UP like Tyra Banks in that picture LOL!!!

  • Consider this….

    *That link to Wikipedia doesn’t work. Sorry guys. Just Google L’Oreal and look for the Wikipedia link for that chart.

    *Eliminate one of those “in 2006.” LOL!

  • http://www.myspace.com/ocky_j Octavia

    @ Hottischickinthegame

    But wtf IS kigali talking bout? Who said anything about white women making us feel unworthy or white men saving us… sounds real crackish to me… very bizarre. ???

  • Kenny

    Beyonce is okay with this, in her In Style interview she stated that.

  • Genet

    So I sat here and read through some of the comments while some were valid others were not. I recently just returned from France a few weeks ago, Paris to be exact. Now I do not know the stats, but I did observe that Paris was a lot more diverse than the United States. I was actually very surprised about the diversity because you are not shown this “France” in the media. Therefore I believe there is no excuse to intentionally prohibit someone from working or selling products because of the color of their skin.

    Truthfully I am not at all surprised about this issue because there were/are numerous individuals who were/are not happy that there are so many immigrants in ” their” country. I suppose if this country wants to appeal to the masses then they have to appease their wants and they want to think that France is this homogeneous society.

    On another note as far as black networks (i.e. BET) I was under the impression that it was highly known that the majority of the blacks who work there are in front of the camera and not behind. Although, this station is geared to the black community to does not prohibit other races from working with them.

  • samech

    ‘their’

  • http://bossip MoniSings

    I’ve never worn L’oreal simply because it never appealed to me as a BLACK consumer. Anyone pushing a product has to find the right targeted audience that will garner the biggest return on investment. It’s just Marketing, y’all.

    When I have a singing engagement, most of the folks on my Distro are Black. Why? Just because that is the culture that most identifies with the music I sing, and since there are other costs associated, we have to market to the audience that will fill up the place. Just business.

    You can’t blame a company for marketing for revenue. If they have done their homework on what segments/demographics will be their most successful profit gain, then THAT’S where they are going to go. If the product happens to cross over, then they will ride that train, too.

    Was FUBU wrong for coming out with a product that was clearly “For Us By Us”? Was that racist against white people or other nationalities? No, it was just business. These guys found a target and created their own niche in the fashion industry, and rather than let an industry that is run by the “mainstream”, they became innovators and made a name (and product) for themselves. So, if we see something we don’t like, we need to let it motivate us to go to the next level, not keep us in a perpetual state of feeling victimized.

  • Kami All Day

    @303:

    I agree with you to a certain point. I agree with the fact the people in the states do not know the meaning behind wearing dreadlocks. It is a very serious spiritual commitment.

    It is NOT a fashion statement and to wear them there are many rules to follow. Breaking them would not be a good idea.

    My spouse is from Kingston, raised in Bed-Stuy (Brooklyn) so I know of the seriousness of wearing dreadlocks. Trust.

    So, I guess you can recant your statement about me not knowing what it is to wear dreadlocks.

    Never assume anything.

    On the other hand, I like to think of myself as natural. While I dont wear dreads, I have my real hair, my real nails, my real eyelashes….everything real and natural. Make-up? Well, less is more.

  • samech

    just because a place is ‘diverse’, that don’t mean they want your stank ass…..there. this is why I can’t get down with certain things….(read my mind). Lauren Hill probably made her own makeup….grindin’ flowers in a calabash or something….in JA.

  • 303

    @kami all day
    your spouse is from kingston – i am also a jamaican
    and i know what the meaning of been a dreadlocks is – i was a rasta for a many years until i reach the states and see that ppl dont take wearing dreadlock serioulsy – i am a rasta on the inside but i cut the dreadlock out because ppl touches my hair – and as a ture rasta i dont beleive in anyone touching my dreads..anyway wish i could get deeper with you about the seriousness of been a rasta
    tatat enjoy your weekend.

  • Kami All Day

    @303:

    I understand that. My spouse only lets me touch her dreads when I wash her hair or when we are sleeping. But since I understand the importance of them, I dont do it often.

    Oh, you dont have to go into it. Most of my ex’s were jamaican and I always asked questions about the origination and I was glad to see that all the answers were the same. lol

    But I do know about it and would recommend to anyone that if they want to start dreading their hair, they must also realize that is should not be solely for a fashion statement.

  • white italian lady

    you blacks girls always want to put so much make-up to look as bright as us or have our skin. look at beyonce, she looks white to me now. i use to work for l’oreal and alot of dark skin women use to beg me to sell them something that will make them atleast lighter.LOL

  • Born

    “Blacks, Asian and Middle Eastern women were hardly ever considered for hostess positions.” Is it of no surprise? I have never brought, nor will never buy L’Oreal products. I will stick to the companies that celebrate those of color, all colors, from chocolaty browns, caramel, to café au lait, to olive. What would these companies due without our and other races “minority” patronage? The largest/fastest growing “race” in the world, are those of mixed heritage. They better get with the program. The truth is the world is changing and Caucasians are now in the minority, this is just fact. And on a global scale the women mentioned above are educated, strong and beautiful. This is for all mothers, sisters, aunts and daughters out there, those who had to fight extra hard for what they had and have. God bless them and to the heck with L’Oreal.

  • Noni

    As a woman from another country (black), I feel that it’s okay for people to have the right to invent, produce and market products as they please. In america,I see alot of products made specifically for the black woman. We black folks really need to stop being petty about others’ issues. So what if they did not market loreal for black people???let’s concentrate on real issues within our communities. We are all made in God’s image (whether we like it or not). no one type of beauty is better than the other (whether people like it or not).I could care less what a majority of dumb folks do or say. What is more disturbing is when we blacks from other countries see how blacks in America tear each other apart and criticize each other no matter how good or well one performs.males against females (Puzzling)and vice versa, and females against females. There just seems to be a lack of acceptance within the African American community. So what if they make Beyounce appear lighter? Should that not be her issue and not yours? Worry about things that matter. We pray and hope that first, the black community can unite then others will follow suit. lets’ all clean up our backyards first.Drop this whole light skin, dark skin, white crap. it comes across as insecurity when it well may not be. It’s a shame!let’s educate ourselves and be happy. Be accepting of each other and others. Alot of what’s posted on these forums always tends to tunnel back to racism. if we concentrate on what matters, we will acheive the best we possible can. God is Love. Love your neighbors despite their race. let God be the judge…

  • songbird09

    I’ve never seen a black woman who look like me represent L’ Oreal, so I never cared for them anyway!

    African American celebs need to stop worrying about the dollar and do what’s right and leave L’oreal……..finally!

  • Born

    @white italian lady, which I’m sure you are not. The reality is this: there are more Caucasians that try to tan themselves or spray themselves brown, make that orange. Than there are black woman trying to color themselves “white”.

    Neither I, nor my mother, my sister, cousins or aunts pancake make-up on. The majority of women of color women will tell you the same. They love their skin tone. A little eyeliner and natural lip color is enough. Maybe some shadow or a translucent to keep the oil content down when going out. No offence to Beyonce, as beautiful as she is, she does not represent all women of color. Why would you get on a black site and down women of color, you’re attempt at controversy is pointless.

  • hey

    @ Plastic007

    dumbasss learn to read, i said right in my post that i’ve been to france !!!! I’ve travelled to many countries actually, and while in France i saw about 10 african americans, so shut up and go learn something !

  • hey

    @ keri

    you sound like a hypocrite, you don’t want them putting all black women in one group yet you are putting all white women in one group too.

  • Kami All Day

    LOL @ people who say they “used to work at L’Oreal”.

    I’m sure you standing at the counter ringing up purchases in some department store is not considered “working” for L’Oreal”. lol

    You work for Macy’s at the L’Oreal counter. :)

    Now dont make your JOB sound like it was a CAREER!

  • WordtotheWise

    If this is true, Loreal is really dumb. Being that black women spend more on their hair than anyone else, that would be a very stupid marketing move to eliminate your base. This should be a great move for us to start our own hair care products. Why are we giving money to others? Asians hold the market on black hair care products and they are making a mint!

  • Born

    I’m stating the facts not attempting to be cruel, just real. “you blacks girls always want to put so much make-up to look as bright as us or have our skin.” That is a fallacy and a generalization. Know the truth before you type.

  • Yvonne

    When will corporations, groups, and everybody else all over the world STOP being so obsessed with the color of a person’s skin color in the negative way.

    I am so sick of this stupidity I could scream.

  • WordtotheWise

    I have NEVER and will NEVER want to be white or look like a white woman. I love my black skin and everything about my blackness. There is nothing wrong with celebrating who you are. God made us all different. It would appear to me that there are some white women that want to be black or at least have brown skin as they go to every length to tan, get collagen injections in their lips, etc.

    BTW, Beyonce looks absolutely beautiful in that pictures, especially her eyes.

  • Kami All Day

    I don’t even see a real argument here.

    It’s strictly business as MoniSings said.

    I’d rather go with a product line that understands the needs of African-American skin and hair. Our products have certain moisturizers, oils and emollients that are good for us because we lose so much in the washing process (for both hair and face).

    White women dont have the same kinds of oils that we have in our hair. So their conditioners would be very different from our; as well as shampoos.

    Have you ever tried used a conditioner or shampoo that read…”use on all hair types”? Well, its most likely untrue.

    We gravitate to products that have our best interests at heart. I’ve never used L’Oreal…well, I’m lying….maybe mascara. All that other crap is not for me.

  • twinkle

    Are we looking at the same “Beyonce” photo? The one at the top? She look like A DUCK! Those are not her natural lips.
    Eveything else is fine.

  • twinkle

    “looks”

  • Kami All Day

    @ white italian lady:

    Oh, yeah….one more thing. We “black girls” dont cake up the make-up that we put on simply because out SKIN TONE is a perfect canvas for color!

    That’s why white women crave our color by sitting under bright lights increasing their chances of skin cancer.

    We dont have to “pack it on” because a little color on a brown, caramel, honey-dipped complexion STANDS OUT!

    Its the white women (who I see; I work in corporate america)….and OMG!…they pack it on to cover up the premature wrinkles, to cover up the redness, to try and make them look younger, etc….Not all white women do this, but a good majortiy do.

    Then you see them without make-up and yuo jump back and fall on your ass. :)

  • Hater

    LMAO

    HAHA

    Maybe, the self hating black women, might the memo, white america doesn’t want you, or consider you beautiful

    I’m sure there’s plenty of italin and french men for all of you dont worry.

    Cause we all know it’s only black men who are colour struck, the whole world loves black women haha

    and again

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

  • S

    That Beyonce ad still scares me to this day…*shudders*

  • lol ketchup b

    whose that big fat black dude in the corner when u click on one of the pics… lol…it says… loreal beyonce hahahaha

  • Kami All Day

    @phoenix_simone_xoxo:

    YUO ARE STOOPID!!! In a…..”you’re telling the truth way”. lol

  • Kami All Day

    *YOU

  • SIMPLY DEEP

    YOU PEOPLE KILL ME I CANT UNDERSTAND WHY BLACK WOMAN HATE BEYONCE SO MUCH IF YOU ENVY HER THAT MUCH WORK HARD GET YOUR BREAD UP AND GET ON HER LEVEL.YOU BROKE HOES NEED TO GET YOUR MIND RIGHT STOP BEING HATERS AND GET ON YOUR HUSTLE CAUSE TRUST ME WHEN YOUR ON YOUR A GAME THE LAST THING YOU THINK ABOUT IS HATING ON THE NEXT PERSON

  • white italian lady

    yeah right, go to youtube and check for black women bleaching their skin on tyra show. you will see tons of black women going to her show hating thier skin and wanting to be white or lighter. i have had my male friends even tell me black women approach them, pleading to them to have a baby by them so as to have pretty babies, which equal yellow or lighter babies. pls if someone really hate their skin too much is most certainly black folks.

  • jeff

    im not white i was just kidding.

  • twinkle

    Meant “Looks” like a duck and “Everything ” else is fine.

  • Kami All Day

    @white italian lady:

    Wow. I’m surprised you have any friends with the ignorant comments you make. But I’m sure your friends are just the same.

    What you are speaking of honey, is the exceptions, NOT the majority. I am a black female and have never hated my skin color/tone. NEVER!

    I absolutely LOVE it! And so do Italian men…..*wink* Trust that.

    But what I would like for YOU to do is go home.

    Look in the mirror and repeat these 3 words (4 syllables) until you start to believe it:

    I

    LOVE

    MYSELF.

    Try that and see if that works out for you.

  • Carla

    JUBEISAN, you’re right, starting your own cosmetic company would be a great idea and other businesses also ! :)

  • T Bear

    It’s all good, they don’t have to worry about this BBW (beautiful black woman) wearing their trash! It’s MAC all day, until I hear some foolishness like this…

  • l thomas

    I tried their products and I didn’t care for them at all. This is a shame that this kind of stuff goes on.

  • so true

    i agree with white italian lady, many of you black women are insecure and do not like your skin. i am bi-raical and the thing i see or hear from most of you black women about your skin sickens me.

  • white italian lady

    also most of you black girls are ugly without make-up, so i recommend you keep on coming to L’OREAL. hehehehe. goodbye now.

  • Carla

    White italian lady, are you really Italian ? I know people that are Italian from back east and they do not consider themselves White only the ones that want to be desperately accepted by Wasps, lol. As for the Black chicks that purposely lay a trap for certain guys that have a certain look, and not all are light skinned some are Brown and Black skinned but of course they usually don’t look Black, have straight or wavy hair, good looking with handsome feature, etc, lol…

  • LOON

    damn do every race hate BLACK WOMEN? pipe down people.

  • so true

    @carla
    so you are agreeing that black women lay with other races to make pretty babies?LMAO

  • Hater

    HAHA

    Phenoix simone

    Typical, black men hate your natrual look other men love it blah, blah? Whens the summer wedding to your italian stallion billionire businessman.

  • Hater

    Also

    Phenoix

    Funny how u mentioned black men, when we wernt the 1′s hating on you, yep the whole world loves black women, even though this very article proves your standing in society hahaha

  • smitty

    whole world loves black women

    YEA RIGHT….LOL

  • Hater

    I was just kidding, black women hate themselves. they are ugly abd black as sh*t.LOL. and i have no hispanic girl, i was only lying to myself.i am also bi too.

  • deafjam04

    This really doesn’t surprise me and it sure as hell doesn’t mean that Bey is going to shred her contract with L’OREAL. It’s all about the MONEY.

  • parisienne

    Yep. I’m a black woman who has lived in Paris and I confirm it all. As an American Black woman I had a special privlidged status being “Western” but my Black African and Carribean French friends had to fight hard for jobs, especially those in the cosmetics industry. It’s all sadly true in France.

  • Hater

    Wordtothewise

    This has nothing to do with black men.

    This is what annoys me about black women, you always insult us and hold us accountable for every thing that goes wrong in your lifes.

    Ask your selfs this do brothers own L’Oreal?

    No whites do, who rejected black women, yet again it’s the brothers fault. too arogent to see white society holds light skin or white above dark

    But keep telling your selfs it’s only us who hate you, no brother did wrong in the article yet were mentioned time and time again.

  • ChampaignKisses

    They keep race baiting us, and we keep falling for it. All the while they’re robbing the coffers blind and keeping all the goodies for themselves.

  • so ture

    @word to the wise
    dumb broad, when did i ever say i was better than a black women. i just said i have experience some things black women say to white ot lighter people to have pretty babies. screw you and i bet you are ugly too.

  • ohnoudient

    Only yesterday I asked a someone about the color of her hair and she stated it was one by Loreal. I really liked the color and wanted to try it. Although my hair is natural I do color it, but now it won’t be with that Loreal product.

  • Kami All Day

    My bad for the few typos! :)

  • Hater

    Wordtothewise

    Your text book example, you basicly let white society of the hook by saying, they had history with us then, went on to say, there all not like that.

    But wow you really had to put the brothers down didn’t you, we all know who you ment by some black people lol.

  • Hater

    Kami

    They do tell the world who is beautiful.

    But let me ask you this, can u blame men of colour for wanting lightskin when thats what is considerd beautiful, should women of colour of a darker nature stand up and take these companies to task, or simply hate the men of colour who lust after them?

  • so true

    @word to the wise
    is that all you got idiot?LOL

  • Hater

    White society hates black women it’s kool.

    Black guy looks at lightskin women= Time to get a white guy who doesn’t consider us beautiful unless we are either light skin or biracial LMAO

    Three cheers for the strong sistas LMAO, love that world SISTAS HAHA.

  • Non-Black-Women-Rule

    True that hater

  • Kami All Day

    @Hater:

    My, my……then that would mean that you “men of color” are naive and easily persuaded. Hmph, no wonder white women want you.

    So, you’re telling me that YOU (and other “men of color”) are simply…..stupid? Stupid enough to let someone else tell you what to think? Tell you what to believe? Wow. That wasn’t a good point on your part.
    If you “men of color” arent able to think and do for yourselves without being moved around the world like a puppet, then I dont want you. The white women (or lighter-skinned women) can have you. Seriously.

    Why would I want the type of man? No matter the skin color.

    Anyway….to put my two cents in on your question about what darker-skinned women should do. NOTHING. Why would (or should) they? I’m not even going to entertain that with a real answer because, quite simply, the question is weird. *shrugging shoulders*

    But for the black women who choose to bash black men for their preference (or society’s preference)then I say……YOU’RE WASTING YOUR TIME AND ENERGY.
    Life is too short to give two thoughts about men who are this shallow-minded and impressionable. Ha! They’re like kids!

    And Hater….I dont have to “go out and get a white man to try and be even”…been there, done that.

    Now, I dont know you or know what your ethnicity is, but from how you sound on here, you sound very ignorant and very slow. I’m just being real.

    P.S. “Men of color”…….hahahaha

  • tasy

    not surprised and i’m willing to bet all i have that a lot of cosmectic companies and fashion industries feel the same way. i’m not racist, but i always feel deep down that a white person (not all white people) could be my bestest friend, but will always feel like they are better than me just because they are white. that’s just the way it is. i feel it will NEVER change, until the day the lord comes back for all of us.

  • actually

    lighter vs. darker complexion is a problem in all races except white people. African americans, asian, indians, latinas, all have to deal with “lighter is prettier” crap. It’s been like that throughout history, it’s something our own races practice ! It has to stop without each race before we can ever expect white people not to do it ! Let’s stop blaming white people for everything, take the fault sometimes, we have to change it ourselves. Raise your kids better, teach them skin color is not what makes them pretty or ugly.

  • Kami All Day

    I know that I am not going to make any sense to the “kids” on here, but to the ones who are mature enough to see through this bullshit, understand.

    I think for the most part, its moreso amusing for “kids” to make off the wall remarks about life and they haven’t even lived long enough to know about it yet. lol

    But I can understand how they can be easily tempted into what was “good” and “better”. I was a child once. And you your mind is child-like. Your statements are child-like. As is the way you think.

    So, I give a few on board the benefit of the doubt. No need to get mad or angry and spew off curse words for no reason. Laughing at the innocence still on board is more like it……..lol

  • Non-Black-Women-Rule

    @Kami

    So bascily you dont want your beauty represented but still want to be seen as beautiful.

    LMAO

    OK.

    So what If I make some grammer errors ect

    This is a blog.

    That’s all.

  • Non-Black-Women-Rule

    @Kami

    Your so stupid, to believe that the media has no influence on how people behave or think.

    All I’m asking is why dont black women, take white folk to task for not protraying them in their true form, I.E. non biracial or extreme light-skin.

    All I see is hate for men who like what they see, which is beautiful women, you dont want to help your selfs but will bash the victims of cultural programming.

  • WordtotheWise

    Kami all day>>>Thank you because I didn’t have the energy to argue with Hater and this moron, “So true.” You know Kami, I come down hard on brothas that have that “I gotta date other races” mentality not because I wish I had one of them, but because many of them fail to see the their psychosis. It actually is a waste of energy. They’re going to have to learn the hard way.

    I do blame white people because there’s something called white supremacy that has created this mess. Yes, people of other races abhor their dark skin. Did anyone ever ask why? It’s because we’ve been brainwashed (peoples of all nationalities) and we buy into it. Some men buy into it thus they seek women that don’t look like them.

    So true>>>Yes, that’s all I have because that’s all I need. I don’t argue with children; I’m way too old for that, thus you are not worth the energy. Now, that’s all I have. Comprende?

  • WordtotheWise

    Non-black women rule>>>All I see is hate for men who like what they see, which is beautiful women, you dont want to help your selfs but will bash the victims of cultural programming.

    Beautiful women come a dime a dozen. You mean to tell me that men who solely think light skin long hair is the only form of beauty? I know people like what they like, i.e. some like tall, short, handsome, pretty, etc. But those whom think only LSLH is beautiful are victims of cultural conditioning as well. Apparently you’re one of them according to your screen name (rolling eyes).

  • B

    get over yourselves! Black don’t crack!

  • Non-Black-Women-Rule

    @Kami

    Hope you dont work in sales and advertising LAMO.

  • Goodness

    @Hater is a woman or a gay dude.

  • Kami All Day

    @Non-Black-Women-Rule

    Nah, love…….I’m far from stupid. I do agree that the media has the power to influence, I just never thought I’d hear someone brag about being “culturally programmed”.

    I like to think outside the box while others like to stay stuck on stupid.

  • Kami All Day

    @Non-Black-Women-Rule:

    LOL..cute.

    But I have.

    You ever brought in $217, 956 dollars for a company before?

    I understand the ins and outs of sales.

    Do you?

    Just because I said that black women dont need validation from some corporation doesnt mean that….”I shouldnt be in sales”.

    You guys need to stop assuming on here! Sheesh….

  • Consider this….

    *VERY

  • Kami All Day

    @WordtotheWise:

    I’m guessing they’re younger than 25 years of age.

    Anything over 25 is a sad state of affairs! :)

  • http://bossip.com Mizz Pimpin

    that is a shame, well they are still helping sell it if they wear it to advertise

  • WordtotheWise

    Consider this….thank you, hon!

  • WordtotheWise

    Kami all day>>>Yep, you are probably right. Anything over that would be quit tragic, huh?

  • txgals

    I will never ever buy their products.

  • Carla

    Speaking of cosmetics, lol. I want to learn how to create make up (of course with natural ingredients) and name my company Delish, lol….

  • Carla

    Well the reason why I’d name my company Delish, my lip glosses, lip balm and lipsticks would be tastey and very pretty to gaze at, lol… Make so inviting the guys will want to lick it off ! Lol…

  • Ummmmmm….

    Not the owners of Mizani!!!!!!!!!!!! Damnit!!!

  • Darkesthourglass

    I was thinking about trying out those Mizani products, too. That’s for our hair. I’ve used Soft-Sheen Carson products though. I guess I’ll stick with Carol’s Daughter.

  • Kami All Day

    @Word to the Wise:

    Definitely!

    And I also wasnt surprised that when challenged, no one has anything else to say.

  • GIVEDADDYSOMESUGAR

    I use a lot of Loreal products because their makeup matches my skin. You really have to research a company to verify ownership because the major cosmetics firms have already quietly bought black companies. Just read the label on your favorite relaxer and you will get a nice surprise in terms of the change in ownership.

  • Atlas

    @ MS.NEW ORLEANS

    Khia? Is that you?

  • NOT MY MONEY

    PEACE OUT!

  • Mocha1

    @Dark Cable- Oh this story is real alright…

    L’Oreal Found Guilty of Racism in French Court
    Black American Web

    London’s Times Online is reporting that French cosmetics giant L’Oréal was found guilty this week of racial discrimination after the highest court in France heard that executives had sought an all-white team of sales staff to promote its shampoos.

    La Cour de Cassation was told that Garnier, L’Oréal’s beauty products division, tried to keep black, Asian and Arab women from selling its Fructis shampoo in French supermarkets.

    Adecco, the temporary recruitment agency whose Districom division hired the hostesses, was also found guilty of racial discrimination.

    L’Oréal expressed “disappointment” over the judgment, which ends three years of legal wrangling over the discrimination claims.

    Samuel Thomas, the vice-chairman of SOS Racisme, the anti-racist campaign group, described the ruling as a “very great victory”.

    The court was told that a Disticom executive had sent a fax in 2000 saying that Garnier’s hostesses should be aged 18 to 22, wear size 38 to 42 clothes and be “BBR”. This stands for “bleu, blanc, rouge” (blue, white, red) — the colors of the French flag — and is a well-known code for white people, La Cour de Cassation was told.

    Prosecutors said that Garnier wanted to exclude members of the ethnic minorities on the grounds that they would be less likely to win custom for its shampoo in French stores. The court was told that only 4.65 per cent of the hostesses hired for Garnier’s campaign were black, Asian or Arab.

    Thérèse Coulange, the deputy managing director of Districom, who sent the fax, said that she had merely wanted hostesses able to “express themselves correctly in French”.

    The Paris Appeal Court had fined L’Oréal and Adecco €30,000 each and ordered them to pay a further €30,000 each in damages to SOS Racisme.

    La Cour de Cassation upheld the fines but told the appeal court judges to reconsider the damages

  • Give me a break

    Its not excluding black women, its excluding all non white women.

    Asian and Arab women could be just as offended, its not a personal attack against black women.

    LÓreal obviously feel that their products would sell better at the hands of young white females.

    Think of this objectively, theyre not being offensive to just black women, theyre being offensive (if anything) to any woman thats not white and between the ages of 18-22. I dont currently have any statistics, but im guessing that would be ALOT of women.

    Since they are being so exclusive as to who sells their products, placing limits on age and race, my guess would be the company doesnt care about being politically correct, they care about selling their product.

    Most big companies would place profit making and anything that would encourage that as their number one goal, even the makeup for dark skin that you seem to support by Iman and others, is there to make a profit. Dont be fooled by clever marketing tactics please.

    Black women please think more objectively, yes, we do live in a very racist world, and we do live in an ageist world too, and most big companies are run by white males. However, every person has their unique positive traits no matter what, black, white, brown, gay, straight, transsexual, disabled, etc. Dont let anyone tell you otherwise.

    Especially for the black women living in America, realise that no matter what hardships you go through, your still much luckier than many other black females across the world. Be thankful for what you do have, work hard to get what you dont have, and be a positive example for little black girls who so often do not get to see other women that look like them presented positively in the media.

    Maybe one day one of you can be at the top of a company and have the power to say ”No , I dont like this, this is not how it should be done”. Until then, try stay positive and dont let these things get you down.

  • christie’s secrets

    since we are huge customers of cosmetics, i say BOYCOTT
    I mean even if i wanted to buy their products, i CANNOT find my shade. There is about 36 shades of black and they have something like 3 or 4? wth? only light skin black women can buy their shit. MAC is not bad, its just way too heavy for me and i think it is so OBVIOUS that you are wearing make up! Iman has a nice range of products, flori roberts and just a few more. In France we have a brand called BLACK UP and its not bad. Girl, if you want to do a lucrative business for black women, cosmetics is definitely one! But right now, Im looking for some organic make up without parabens and harsch chemicals so i guess i can only use mineral make up but it is so hard to find a good one that wont make your skin grey looking so right now, millions of black women are waiting for a better solution, THINK about it!!! Why beyonce wouldn’t do a make up business, she has power and money! damn someone give me money and i would start my own company.

  • makeeba clark

    OMG!!!!!! WELL I USED TO USE L’OREAL H.I.P. LINE BUT NO MORE!!!!!!!! I WILL BUY MAC OR FASHION FAIR!!!!!!!!! DO THEY OWN MILANI, WHICH A COSMETIC LINE FOR WOMEN OF COLOR???????? I USE THESE AS WELL. NO MORE L’OREAL 4 ME

  • Sarah Vaughan

    black ppl shouldn’t patron products like l’oreal because it is not made for our skin type. beyonce has a large white skin audience and i’m sure those are the main ppl buying that ish anyway.

    b and kerry get your money…f l’oreal

  • http://www.raveneye.org/?p=856 yeah well your make up sucks anyways… « Raven’s Eye

    [...] case. i mean this is from the same country, france, that is at fore front of banning the burka. In fact, a fax was issued into evidence that requested hostesses must be between 18-22 years old, we… Share and [...]

  • YOUR FADDER

    You do know there’s black french ppl???

  • pinkbigheart1986

    oK, SO tHE Fu*K WHaT! pEOPLE tAkE STuFf TO sERiOUS

  • T

    Boycott them!

  • PR1NC355

    Just to add: L’Oreal USA owns Lancome, Maybelline, L’Oreal, and Garnier…

    So if you’re going to boycott keep all that in mind!! (damn I love Maybelline Great Lash :( )

    Eff them!!! I use Clinique, MAC, and Chanel mostly anyway

  • Ara

    Bey looks so beautiful in this picture ….

  • A big Corporation’s Racist? No….really?

    Didn’t this story break like a year or more ago? Why is everyone so surprised?

  • GIVEDADDYSOMESUGAR

    Well, I have given this a lot of thought and have allowed it to mentally and emotionally marinate and I have come to this conclusion: I WILL NOT GIVE UP MY LOREAL! Some people use crack, drink and chase other womens’ husbands. I don’t do any of those things but I do use Loreal.

  • Yafa

    Just confirms what I always thought of L’Oreal. When they flip hair and say ‘because we’re/you’re worth it’ I always had the feeling they were not exactly speaking to black women. So no Garnier or L’Oreal for me!

  • chrystina

    damn thats a shame but i think i’ve heard these rumours a while ago i aint gonna buy L’Oreal EVA AGAin

  • The Mad Blogger

    thats why i steal all they lipgloss. they not gettin my hard earned 9 dollars for they foolishness! they damn products arent designed with blk folk in mind anyway. shame on it all.

  • tg

    I betcha that won’t stop Bey from posing for them again.

  • http://beautyctr.com Carole

    It is a shame that this type of behavior even exists in the market place. Beauty comes in all colors, shapes,and sizes. This is unfortunate for the people who have to deal with this childishness.

  • drew

    loreal is not owned by a black guy, the company is owned in 3rds, one third is publicly traded, the other third is owned by the bettencourt family of france (which is white), and the other third is owned by the nestle group of companies. Loreal also owns the dark and lovely brand, so i think its unfortunate they they want to only have whites promote their products, but they actually do make very good skincare especially the lancome line. And the shampoos under the Loreal brand are great, much better than the brown shampoo bottle gimmick the pantene brand uses to get blacks to buy their shampoo.by the way Loreal/lancome is #1 in the mascara market and lancome is the #1 worldwide luxury brand by tens of millions ahead of estee lauder and clinique

  • tnameat

    L’Oreal was just trying to sell products in the most effective way.

  • http://whitemeat.wordpress.com/2009/07/03/l%e2%80%99oreal-%e2%80%9cwe-don%e2%80%99t-want-black-women-selling-our-cosmetics%e2%80%9d/ L’Oreal: “We Don’t Want Black Women Selling Our Cosmetics” « White Meat

    [...] the script for more French cosmetics giant, L’Oreal, who has hired Beyonce and other African-American personalities to front their products [...]

  • Cat_cat

    I love how much they photoshopped the picture so that she looks like Tyra Banks: photoshop the eyes and the lips. The other picture was ridiculous: she looked like my white aunt and even had the same nose.

  • Angel

    I don’t wear it so I could care less

  • http://www.ilookfly.com/black-celebs-gossip/beyonce-is-black-again-no-thanks-to-l%e2%80%99oreal/ Beyonce Is Black Again, No Thanks To L’Oreal – ILookFly.com

    [...] though L’Oreal doesn’t want you to buy their ish, they are still pushing Beyonce as their [...]

  • Ciderkiss

    That also means avoiding Lancome and Maybelline products too. They own both of those companies.

blog comments powered by Disqus