The beauty industry has functioned as a microcosm of larger society’s views about what is deemed beautiful, which has always been steeped in a narrow set of Eurocentric beauty standards.
For Chuter, there’s grave importance in keeping the conversation going, as she believes slow, sustainable, and continuous improvement will eventually begin to unfold. She points out this issue that often stills dramatic changes in social consciousness: patience, and lack thereof. If those who are in powerful positions do not reap instant results, they lose interest and the momentum is lost.
Sharon gives examples of the microaggressions Black people in corporate America experience with food, and especially as she would as an immigrant: having to hear remarks about what one has chosen to eat for lunch. A situation is offensive and inappropriate, and should not require insensitivity training. Sharon continues explaining that after checking one’s own bias and understanding the consequences of your own biases.
Beyond creating a culture that is adapted to suit the personalities and comfort levels of all people, Chuter says that companies need to reconstruct how they develop talent to solve their pipeline issue. She explains that there are only two Black high-level product developers, and they have opted out of being brand consultants or product developers to large makeup brands due to trauma they’ve experienced in corporate settings.