This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
Published on July 24, 2019, a dark-skinned woman's struggle to find the perfect foundation in Kenya is a common tale. The quest for a matching foundation is a daunting task, with many beauty shops lacking dark skin products.
Beauty vendors often prioritize lighter shades, citing that they move faster and are easier to sell. This leaves dark-skinned women with limited options, forcing them to settle for products that may not complement their skin tone.
Victory Raija, a fashion designer, has given up on finding the perfect foundation and now sticks to a single shade of lipstick. Salome Kimani has stopped using foundation altogether, citing that sellers often mislead buyers and that affordable products give her rashes.
Many dark-skinned women have been forced to abandon makeup altogether, opting for Vaseline or facials instead. The struggle is not just about finding the right foundation, but also about the societal pressure to be light-skinned.
Nutritionist Margaret Apindi shares her experience, stating that it's 'hell' to find a suitable powder product, and that even high-end products can be a challenge to match.
While some women have given up on the search for the perfect makeup, others continue to advocate for greater representation and inclusivity in the beauty industry.
