The Nude Awakening
Written by: Sarah Pretopapa | Collage by: Sofia Spadafora
What’s better than being nude? How about a nude that matches your skin tone perfectly? Everyone must have equal representation; shouldn’t our products do the same? We’ve highlighted a handful of brands that equally represents perfect nude tones throughout their entire product line.
Band-Aids
Band-Aids launched new shades of their most popular products so that everyone can wear Band-Aids casually and discreetly. The product line, called Ourtone, is made from a flexible fabric that moves with you and blends into your skin seamlessly. The finish is smooth to the touch and comes in various sizes.
Fenty Beauty
Started by Rihanna to give women of color more options when shopping in the beauty market, Fenty Beauty is a mid-range priced makeup brand that offers foundation, concealer, and powders in a wide array of shades, among many other products. Right now, there are 50 beautiful shades to choose from that are inclusive of all skin tones and undertones. The shade names are numbered rather than named, putting everyone’s shade on an equal playing field. Online, shoppers have the option to virtually try on shades and take a shade quiz to help them find the best match possible.
Crayola
Crayola recently released a line of skin-toned markers, crayons, and pencils so children and artists can quickly draw themselves and those around them. Children used to have to blend multiple shades to try and make different skin tones, with no ready-to-use skin shades in the box. It’s exciting that this will no longer be an issue for children growing up, knowing that everyone can feel like they belong and are accepted as they are. As the world increases in diversity, Crayola’s goal for these products is to connect children and inspire them to express themselves creatively.
Skims
Say what you want about Kim Kardashian, but giving Skims a shot is probably the best thing that has happened to me. Skims is a brand that carries shapewear, loungewear, and other essential pieces meant for every body of every size and color. They carry nude shades for all and have an extensive size range, from XXS to 5X, making them a reliable place to browse when you’re looking for quality basics. These clothes make you feel confident and sexy in your skin and help you accentuate and love your natural self.
Salone Monet
Salone Monet is a high-end shoe brand specializing in nude-colored shoes. They emphasize how important it is to have a solid pair of nude shoes in your wardrobe because they instantly lengthen your legs and never go out of style. Salone Monet’s motto is “They match you, so they match everything you put on.” One wonderful thing about their website is that you can even shop by shade, and it will take you to all the shoes offered in the shade that’s right for you.
Capezio and Bloch
Capezio and Bloch are two leading brands for dance apparel, shoes, and tights. Both companies now offer these products in darker shades so all dancers can match their tights to their respective skin tones. There is a term called “pancaking” in the dance world, which is the process of dying your ballet/pointe shoes with foundation to match your feet and legs to make them look longer and more visually appealing. Pancaking is a messy and time-consuming process that might finally get phased out now that Capezio and Bloch both offer ballet, pointe, and other dance shoes in multiple nude shades.