This New Beauty Brand Named Its Lipsticks After Iconic Black Women
If you’ve ever dreamed of wearing a lipstick inspired by iconic women in history you’re in luck. There’s a new kid on the block of beauty brands, UOMA Beauty founded by LVMH veteran Sharon Chuter. The new black-owned Afropolitan beauty brand is really doing it for the culture, and not just by adding shades for all skin tones. The make-up range includes foundations, eyeshadow palettes, liners, and lipsticks. Their lipsticks called the “Badass Icon” specifically caught our eye. The shades live up to their name with bold and daring matte colors. But, the best part? Every lipstick in this collection is named after an iconic black women from Diana Ross to Nina Simone. They are “women who stood for something and believed in something, not just famous people for being pretty,” the Nigerian-born founder Sharon tells Teen Vogue.
There are 16 shades to represent the 16 women who have impacted Sharon’s life the most. From deep reds and bright purples to subtle nudes, there is a color and, certainly a woman to be inspired by, for everyone. The silky lipstick is simultaneously moisturizing and matte, sans the drying or cracked lips effect.
The packaging reads “A badass does not talk about being a badass.” Sharon chose this quote as a reminder to all women wearing it. “Everybody wants to be an icon, everybody wants to get to the top, but nobody wants to put in the work. That quote is saying to people just do the work,” she says. A lipstick made for the girl who walks it like she talks it.
For each of the colors and iconic black women chosen, Sharon dug into her favorite memories of each woman so that the shades made sense. The Tina shade is inspired by Chuter's love of Tina Turner and her 1984 hit song, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” music video. “You look at that [video] scene where she’s doing her thing, a woman whose been through it all and she’s killing it and just out there with this bold red lip,” Sharon says about the crimson red shade.
The Nina shade was created out of a need of nudes for deeper skin tones. Inspired by the singer and activist Nina Simone, Sharon was moved by how Nina “embraced her melanin unapologetically and was true to who she was.” Sharon paid homage to Diana Ross' 1983 Central Park performance when she wore a deep red lip and didn’t stop performing even in the pouring rain. “That is resilience and tenacity. That’s the making of a true icon and a true badass,” says Sharon. The brick red shade "Diana" is almost burgundy and perfect for the girl who likes a red lip, but not too bold.
Every shade has a story and that’s what truly makes each of them iconic. “All of the women have a different attitude and vibe, just like the lipsticks,” Sharon says. “They paved their own way and lived life the way they wanted to.”
UOMA Beauty launches on Ulta.com and Uomabeauty.com today. Whether you opt for a bright ‘Sade’ red or a fun ‘Whitney’ pink these lipsticks will surely help you channel your inner badass.
