So, I was browsing blogs today and I came across a post that stated L’Oreal doesn’t make products for black people. Knowing a little about L’Oreal, that made me think; people sure do talk a lot. It reminded me of a movie quote from Love and Basketball when Gabrielle Union made the sarcastic statement: Damn girl, I didn’t know Nike made dresses. Well, anyone that knows anything about Nike, knows Nike does make dresses.
A Little History on L’Oreal
In 1998, L’Oreal, the world’s leader in cosmetics and hair care, through its U.S. subsidiary, Cosmair Inc., acquired 100 percent of Soft-Sheen Products Inc., the once world’s largest ethnic hair care manufacturer, now just the world’s leader in innovation and ethnic hair care expertise.
In 2000, L’Oreal founded the Institute for Ethnic Hair and Skin Research.
The Chicago-based L’Oreal Institute for Ethnic Hair and Skin Research is the first and only research facility operated by a beauty company whose sole mission is to conduct and support basic science research to better understand the unique properties of the hair and skin of people of African descent. The Institute is located in a state-of-the-art laboratories on Chicago’s Near South Side. In addition to conducting research, the L’Oreal Institute supports educational activities that provide healthcare professionals, researchers and consumers with information about personal care issues specific to people of African descent, such as hair loss and skin discoloration — issues that are particularly important to these populations an
d need further research. The L’Oreal Institute is one of 11 L’Oreal Group skin and hair research centers in France, the United States and Japan. The company dedicates over $300 million a year to research and development — more than any other beauty company in the world.
In 2002, L’Oreal transferred responsibility for MIZANI, a premium line of salon exclusive hair care products for people of African descent, from the Consumer Products to the Professional Products Division.
So regardless if we like it or not, these are the facts. L’Oreal does make products for black people. They provide us with extensive education on the products, and how they should be applied as well.
By the way, the comment was in response to a hair color ad featuring Beyonce that appeared to be “white-washed.” L’Oreal of course denied the accusations.
[mashshare]
