The Too Faced x Jackie Aina Born This Way Collab is What the Game Was Missing!
Too Faced used to be notorious for conveniently leaving people of color from their complexion range. It was evident when the brand first launched the now iconic Born This Way Foundation. There were practically no shades for dark skin. So Too Faced went back into the lab to crank out more shades to encompass dark and pale skin. Somewhat.
I like Jerrod Blandino. He seems like a real sweetheart. But honey. You missed your mark, twice!
Thankfully, Jerrod went back to the lab a third time for even more shades of Born This Way Foundation. But this time he enlisted the help of YouTube makeup artist, Jackie Aina. And, boy, is this collaboration exactly what the makeup game needed right now!
What Inclusive & Diverse Should Look Like
The beauty industry was shook after Rihanna came in guns blazing with 40 shades of her Fenty Beauty foundation. Her massive foundation launched open many eyes to the way dark skin has been treated in the beauty industry. As a result, every brand you can think of has been whipping up extra foundation shades to accommodate dark skin.
Cool right?
Again, somewhat.
It’s still an uncomfortable feeling to be an afterthought. It’s an even worse feeling when it appears people are just rushing and throwing things together (aka pandering) just to get our dollars. It’s exhausting. Especially when the effort doesn’t feel authentic. And it’s not done right.
That’s why the Too Faced x Jackie Aina Born This Way Foundation collaboration is such a big deal. Jerrod didn’t want to just throw colors at the wall to see what stuck. He included one of the biggest voices and advocates for dark skin in the beauty industry to properly expand his line. That’s huge! And Jackie Aina didn’t disappoint honey! She whipped up 11 new shades from pale to the deepest of deep. Making the Too Faced Born This Foundation the most diverse line yet for the brand.
New Shades, New Match
Another reason I was super excited to see Jackie Aina for this collab? We’re about the same skin tone. So I often wear the same shades she does. Which means I didn’t even have to go through the headache of swatching to discover a new match. I already knew Chai was the one!
Previously, I had been rocking Mahogany. A cool deep bronze with red undertones. Mahogany has certainly pulled me through many beats looking fabulous. However, she is really red. Which meant you were out of luck if you had a more golden or neutral undertone.
But now we’ve got Chai and her buddies! Chai is a slightly deeper bronze with golden undertones. A really great fit for my skin tone. Great job, Jackie!
We’ve Got Options!
Thanks to Jackie, we have more options! Not just in shades but undertones too. Chai and Mahogany are both similar in color. But the undertones are different. Mahogany is a bit lighter and cooler with a red undertone. While, Chai, is a bit deeper and warmer with a golden undertone.
My skin tone is pretty neutral as I can easily pull off both shades. Although Chai is quickly becoming my favorite of the 2 as it runs less orange on me.
Many people thought Jackie updated the formula as well. But it’s the same Born This Way we all know and love. You’ll still get lightweight, buildable medium coverage with a natural satin finish that looks like skin. She still lasts nicely all day, too. Nothings changed here!
Too Faced Born This Way Foundation in Mahogany (left) and Chai (right)
Born This Way Foundation in Mahogany
