Race and inclusion are somewhat of a “funny” topic. Living in Britain, beauty, lifestyle products and magazines haven’t been very inclusive of people of colour. I have always purchased Vogue, and Marie Claire, gazed lovingly at new foundations, only to be disappointed at the realisation that these things weren’t for me.
It’s easy not to notice if you’re not affected by these things. Boots for instance… let’s look for a new hair dye…no one looks like me. The products aren’t aimed at non-European looking people with non-European types of hair. Yes, they may have a tiny little section for “Afro” hair, usually consisting of ‘Dark And Lovely’ products, all aimed at making my hair look sleek and straight or colour-wise, you get those orangey tones disguised as “Honey Blonde”. Sigh. I don’t want my hair to be straight. I like frizz…frizz is not thine enemy. These products just seem to be there, in my opinion, to show the world that they are including us. But in a way that isn’t really serious. Like, here you go look – we DO cater to you! Pat on the back for us. *Side eye.
As for the beauty section, you get brands advertising the fact they have products in many shades… shades? Shades from light to dark, with dark being a light shade of Beyoncé. Even I can’t buy these things. It’s annoying that in 2016, I can’t just go to a local high street and purchase make-up or hair products. It’s always in specialist stores or Bobbie Brown. Thank you Bobbie Brown. ALTHOUGH, Bobbie, can you tell your stores to stop hiding the darker shades. I have to specifically ask to see them. I don’t like that. It’s like you have a certain amount of room on the counter and decided not to have the darker shades on show. Again, we’re included…but we just need to ask.
Now, here comes a new Subscription box that includes us, it’s by us and for us. It’s like FUBU packaged in a little black box of goodies.
My Ebony Box – The UK’s FIRST lifestyle subscription box for women of colour! My Ebony Box is a monthly subscription box curated for women of colour and each box will feature established, boutique and independent brands. A one stop shop to self-care featuring hair, skin, lifestyle, treats, arts and cultural products, helping you to empower, uplift and enrich your mind, body and soul.
I have to admit, when I received My Ebony Box I squealed. When I opened it and saw all the treats, I squealed even louder lol. So many cute and quirky items aimed at me…little old me has finally been included! And before I get served with a bottle of haterade, this isn’t about exclusion. There are millions of “beauty or lifestyle” subscription boxes out there. And I’m pretty sure, none of these have ever included any products that will lay my edges or even knows what that means. So again, let me enjoy being a part of something great. Just be happy someone made this, therefore including us within the world of subscription boxes. Thank You My Ebony Box, you made this lady of colour very happy.
www.myebonybox.com Subscriptions start from £20.00
*Items were gifted to style and review, all thoughts and opinions are my own*
I LOVE it! Such an amazing idea and way to experiment with new products without commiting to buy huge sizes!
Yes, exactly!!! The hair products and shower gel was lovely!
“lay my edges” YAAAAS GRRLL!!!!!! I can’t believe that to this day, BIG brands get away with only catering for light skin tones…it’s depressing!!! :’-( X
Things are changing, albeit, slowly. Hopefully this Means brands and stores are taking notice!
I am shocked about the Bobbi brown hiding shades under the counter! But I totally agree with everything you say, it seems everything is catered to the white skinned woman (and yes I know I’m white myself) – I adore Afro Caribbean hair, literally adore it, and recall my cousin always trying to make my hair similar to hers using those exact ‘dark and lovely’ products trying to plait my hair back and my mom looking ever so worried as to how my very thin ‘rat tailed’ Caucasian hair was going to look after a wash lol! (It was pretty funny, bless my cousin!)
As amazing as this box looks it makes me sad to see that it’s secluded to a subscription box – more should be done to make it more ‘normalised’ that it’s OK to have varying shades of skin tone. As advanced as we have become it still seems ‘everyday racism’ is still at flaming large.
But I digress. This is feckin’ awesome and I’m weljel of it lol! Loved reading it sassygurl
Xx
Love your comment! And yes, it’s crazy that brands don’t simply just come together and
Include everyone. I’m loooking forward to the day!
This is too cute! Xx
First off what a damn good read !
As a white female it’s so disappointing that you aren’t included in AVERAGE every day lifestyle. I would be f#$kin furious if I had to ASK for someone to go into the back for something because it’s not a “popular” shade.
Unfortunately the fashion & beauty industry have missed the memo that it’s the 21st century.
*sigh*
NEVERTHELESS this box is cool af ! I love subscription boxes that are ACTUALLY tailored yo you and not just what they think you will like.
A million thumbs up to the creator of the Ebony box– ps your skin color is flawless ?
I have to thank the creators ten times over! As I said it’s such a fab idea! It is annoying having to ask and not being included- but again, times are changing, let’s hope for the better!
Wow what an amazing read! Your insight into your experiences as a woman of colour is exactly why we created this box! We no longer need to feel excluded because this is a box for all us… as you beautiful said “It’s like FUBU packaged in a little black box of goodies”.
Maybe one day if we keep raising this awareness like your article, we will live in a world where #allwomenmatter
Thank you Kiki You are everything! <3
No thank you for creating something so fab x
I LOVE this post! Here for the FUBU. I can’t tell you my struggle as a dark skinned black woman. I rarely get high street… actually I don’t even bother I’ve been let down and excluded so much so I always have to go high end. Thank goodness for MAC.
I’ve never been interested in a subscription box as i don’t like to chop and change and I keep things simple BUT. I am going to give this a bash.
Love love this idea and about time too!! I’m also a sucker for sleek packaging and the black box has won me over:)Thanks for a great post