THE BEAUTY OF DIVERSITY: WOMEN OF COLOR

Allure recently asked 41 women of color to tell stories of their lives through their skin—and skin tone.

As Allure points out, the color of our skin can be a vulnerability, as well as a source of pride and celebration.

It’s that fine line that many people struggle to make sense of and is at the core of what the 41 women who were interviewed discussed.

Popular author and actress, Padma Lakshmi, feels that her skin is a map of her life.

“Before high school, I lived in a white suburb of Los Angeles where there were so few Indians that they even know the “correct” slurs,” said Lakshmi.

“For a long time I hated my skin color. Even in India, there’s a complicated history. My grandmother discouraged us from going in the sun,” said Lakshmi.

But Lashmi, like so many others who went through tough moments early on in life, has grown to love her skin tone and who she is.

“My skin is a map of my life,” said Lakshmi.

Dr. Jeanine Downie spoke about popular misconceptions that face people of color and how cosmetic companies cater to people who aren’t Caucasian.

“African-Americans and Latinos lose elasticity—we sag where Caucasians wrinkle,” said Dr. Downie.

“People don’t realize that skin of color needs sunscreen, and that gets on my last nerve… I do think companies understand that dollars are coming from all ethnic markets, not just Caucasians, [but] we’re still peripheral in ads.”

Fashion model Dilone has spoken in the past about what beauty is to her.

“Beauty to me means confidence,” said Dilone in an interview with Vice. “When you have confidence, it kind of makes others believe that their idea of beauty isn’t all there is.”

Dilone is all about breaking the mold and continuing to change opinions on what a Latin person should look like.

“I don’t think people realize just how much Latinas vary in skin tone,” said Dilone. “[But] we are kind of stepping away from thinking this is what someone Latin should look like.”

“My role model growing up was Selena. She wasn’t trying to conform to something else”

Aamito Lagum, a model from Uganda, discussed the struggles of growing up outside of the ideal model of looks in her native country.

“Growing up in Uganda, I did not fit into the ideal,” said Lagum. “I was too dark. I was too tall.”

Many of the women have gone through moments where they’ve been attacked for their skin tone and heritage, but they’ve each brushed it off in their own way and come to love and express who they are with more confidence—and Lagum is no different.

After a M.A.C. Instagram post of Lagum’s lips triggered racist comments, the 24-year-old beauty brushed it off.

“Haters gonna hate… I grew up loved by my family. That love enabled me to love what I saw in the mirror. I learned to love my skin too much to fit someone else’s script,” said Lagum.

What does the beauty of diversity mean to you?

Dr. Eliot Battle

CEO & Founder at Cultura Dermatology & Plastic Surgery

Dr. Eliot Battle, CEO of Cultura Dermatology, is a global leader in cosmetic dermatology and laser innovation. His Harvard research pioneered “color-blind” lasers, making treatments safe for all skin tones. A sought-after expert featured in TIME, Oprah, and The New York Times, he continues to advance inclusive, cutting-edge dermatological care.