After the Black Lives Matter movement, the United States embarked on a long journey to confront issues of racial discrimination, marked by powerful protests and significant political changes. However, beneath these advances, many issues remain simmering, unresolved. One such industry obscured in this struggle is the beauty industry. Despite growing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, at its core, the “ideal beauty” standard remains closely tied to white skin—a long-standing norm imposed on many.
While products and advertisements still lack diversity, with the ideal image primarily tied to light skin tones, the beauty industry has long been dominated by large corporations, where profits remain the determining factor. Products unsuitable for all skin types, lacking real research on the needs and characteristics of darker skin, continue to dominate the market. Moreover, advertising campaigns from leading brands often fail to represent the beauty of different ethnic groups, instead offering monotonous, shallow, and homogeneous images. A whole world of beauty is being confined by the limits set by big companies.
In this context, the “Beauty for All” movement has emerged as a new wave, a comprehensive effort to reshape the face of this industry. This movement not only calls for a change in developing products suitable for all skin types but also demands fair representation for all consumers, regardless of their ethnicity or skin color. It is this movement that has driven a shift in the marketing strategies of brands, creating a platform for products and advertising campaigns that truly reflect the diverse reality of society.
At the age of 28, Nova Carter became the founder of the cosmetics brand “Melanin Grace,” but her journey to success was not an easy one. A graduate in cosmetic chemistry from MIT, Nova soon realized a significant gap in the global beauty industry: products for people of color were not only scarce but also failed to meet the practical needs of this community. It wasn’t just a matter of quantity; it was about the lack of attention to the diversity and unique needs of darker skin. She recognized that the global beauty industry revolved around a single beauty standard—the beauty of white people. This not only disadvantaged people of color but also diminished their self-confidence and natural beauty.
When Nova began thinking about a career in the beauty industry, she didn’t just want to create products with the right formulas; she wanted to build a brand that could change how people viewed the beauty of people of color. During her time at MIT, she realized that the beauty products she saw on the market were not an accurate reflection of the beauty within the community of people of color. They not only lacked proper pigment matching but also missed the essential nutrients needed to care for and enhance their natural beauty.
With a clear mission in mind, Nova was determined to build Melanin Grace—a cosmetics brand offering high-quality products specifically designed for customers with darker skin tones. Each product from Melanin Grace is not only carefully formulated but also carries a powerful message: beauty has no standard, and it is the combination of confidence and the celebration of what is most natural. Nova wants each person of color who uses her products to feel proud of their identity, knowing they deserve the best.
However, Nova’s path was not easy. Entering the cosmetics market, where giants have dominated for many years, was no small challenge. Her brand, Melanin Grace, faced many obstacles—from a lack of capital to difficulties in building a distribution network, to advertising campaigns that went largely unrecognized. But Nova never gave up. She continued pursuing her mission, and Melanin Grace gradually gained public attention. Her products began to be loved not only for their excellent quality but also for the strong message they conveyed: celebrating the beauty of everyone, regardless of race or skin color.
On the other side of the beauty industry stands Gregory Langford, 55 years old, a giant in the field and CEO of the massive cosmetics conglomerate Pure Radiance. He holds absolute power in the industry, having built Pure Radiance into a symbol of luxury and prestige. His career is built on an unchanging philosophy: the beauty of white people is the standard, and only this beauty is worthy of celebration.
Under Gregory Langford’s leadership, Pure Radiance has become a symbol of luxury, with advertising campaigns always revolving around white models and Western beauty standards. The company’s campaigns not only overlook the presence of people of color but also inadvertently promote the dominance of a simplified beauty standard, lacking recognition and celebration of diverse beauty. While Pure Radiance’s ad campaigns have been incredibly successful in attracting a large white customer base, Gregory fails to realize that he is overlooking a huge market and an untapped need—the demand for beauty products specifically for people of color.
Pure Radiance, despite its size and power, has developed in a world where it has not seen change. While the world is gradually shifting, Gregory clings to outdated values. He does not recognize that diversity in beauty is not just a trend—it’s an unavoidable demand in today’s world. As for Nova, she sees this as an opportunity for Melanin Grace to rise, establishing itself as a brand leading the charge in changing the cosmetics industry—not just on the product level but also in terms of thought.
The competition between the two brands, two distinct beauty philosophies, began to intensify. Gregory still believes that Pure Radiance, with its “ideal beauty” philosophy, will continue to dominate, while Nova knows that only change can help her brand conquer the global market. Despite Pure Radiance’s massive cosmetics empire, it is Melanin Grace with its mission to celebrate the natural beauty of people of color that is creating a powerful wave of change, proving that beauty cannot be confined to just one mold.
With the powerful message “Beauty That Honors Your Roots,” Nova has built a brand that goes beyond just beauty—it’s about empowering confidence and advocating for the rights and representation of the Black community.
The launch of Melanin Grace quickly gained attention on social media platforms, especially TikTok and Instagram. Here, the Black community, particularly the Gen Z generation, found their voice. They weren’t just looking for products suited for their skin tones; they were seeking beauty brands that celebrated ethnicity and diversity. Melanin Grace became a symbol for women who were confident and unapologetically asserting their identity. Nova didn’t just create a brand; she sparked a movement, a new wave for a generation that was craving representation in the beauty industry.
Meanwhile, Pure Radiance—the renowned corporation led by Gregory Langford—was facing a severe crisis. Their “Whitening Glow Serum,” marketed as a miraculous brightening solution, was heavily criticized by the Black community. The serum’s ingredients not only caused skin irritation but also eroded melanin, leaving Black customers’ skin red and peeling. A number of influential Black KOLs (key opinion leaders) voiced their outrage after using the product and experiencing adverse reactions. The image of Pure Radiance suffered a significant blow, especially among young Gen Z consumers, who prioritize diversity and ethical business practices.
This crisis not only damaged Pure Radiance’s reputation but also resulted in a sharp decline in sales, particularly within the Black consumer market. The company was now facing the wrath of the community, who were no longer just looking for quality products but demanding that brands be responsible in honoring diversity and protecting the rights of Black people. Faced with a strong backlash, Pure Radiance not only had to fix the product issue but also confront a larger question about their ethical values and sustainability in business. This scandal served as a wake-up call for Pure Radiance and a reminder for the entire beauty industry to better understand and respect ethnic diversity in the products they offer.
The beauty market was entering a phase of fierce competition. Gregory Langford, the CEO of Pure Radiance, noticed that the dominance of Melanin Grace, with its specialized products for people of color, was shaking his company’s position. A strategic move was inevitable. Determined to neutralize this threat, he planned to acquire Melanin Grace, offering a massive sum—three times the market value of the company. This was an irresistible offer for Nova, the founder of Melanin Grace, who had built the brand’s reputation within the Black community. Gregory not only made an appealing offer but promised that Nova would retain full control over the company as an independent branch, with the freedom to innovate and expand her product lines supported by the immense resources of Pure Radiance.
In theory, this was an opportunity that any investor would dream of. A partnership with a giant like Pure Radiance would allow Melanin Grace to scale up and reach a broader market. Nova, smart and ambitious, couldn’t stop thinking about the proposal. She saw the potential for growth and expansion, but also felt a sense of unease she couldn’t explain. Gregory’s enticing promises couldn’t hide the reality that Nova knew all too well: the beauty world had long been dominated by large corporations, and their “empowerment” offers could simply be tricks to gain real control.
Zuri, Nova’s best friend and long-time partner, was the first to spot the hidden dangers in Gregory’s proposal. Zuri, a former victim of a similar strategy by Pure Radiance, knew how these large corporations exploited the ambitions of small companies to seize power. She immediately warned Nova, her words cold and sharp: “When white power brokers say ‘empower,’ they usually just want control.” That statement hit Nova like a bucket of cold water, making her pause and reconsider. Could this truly be an opportunity, or was it just a trap set by Gregory?
Nova had built Melanin Grace from the ground up with passion and a clear vision—not just as a brand, but as a movement that represented Black people and celebrated ethnic pride. Now, faced with an alluring offer and Zuri’s cautious warning, she was at a crossroads: should she continue fighting to keep Melanin Grace on its own path, or should she accept a partnership that could take her brand to new heights, but at the cost of losing her autonomy and independence?
Zuri’s warning planted a seed of doubt in Nova’s mind—a hesitation that was hard to shake. She knew that the final decision wouldn’t just affect her; it would impact the entire community she had built. Nova understood that her career wasn’t merely a numbers game of financial benefits, but a struggle to protect the values Melanin Grace represented. In this moment, Nova had to find a way to balance ambition with caution, opportunity with risk. Her story wasn’t just about making a business decision; it was a fight for self-determination, trust, and respect in a world where power still resided with the giants.
Despite Zuri’s warning, Nova couldn’t shake the thoughts of the Pure Radiance partnership opportunity. She knew it was a challenging choice, but a part of her always wanted to expand Melanin Grace’s influence, offering beauty products that were not only good for dark skin but also elevated the brand’s value. She told herself that if she could steer this ship, everything would change. After many sleepless nights, torn between logic and emotion, Nova decided to give Gregory a chance. She agreed to meet with him to hear out the proposal, hoping that it might be a turning point for her brand.
At the private meeting, Gregory, with his confidence and finesse, presented his case. He made convincing promises that Pure Radiance wouldn’t just help Melanin Grace grow but would create a bright future for both parties. His words painted a beautiful picture of a comprehensive growth strategy. He proposed improvements to the products using modern technology, aimed at the very customer base Melanin Grace was targeting. The proposal sounded appealing, but it wasn’t enough to make Nova overlook her lingering doubts.
However, those reassuring words were quickly shattered when an unexpected incident occurred. One morning, while checking her work emails, Nova received a wrong email from Pure Radiance’s Research and Development (R&D) department. The email contained a detailed report on the “Glow Tone for Dark Skin” line, a product Gregory had suggested Melanin Grace try out and distribute. Nova was stunned when she read the final section of the email, which revealed that the product contained a phenol brightener—an ingredient that lightens skin but also thins the epidermis, causing severe damage to dark skin. This substance not only affected the skin but also altered cell structure, making the skin fragile and prone to irreversible damage.
It felt like a lightning bolt to the heart. Nova realized she had been deceived. Gregory’s alluring partnership offer wasn’t just a ploy to take over Melanin Grace; it was a blatant scheme to exploit the very customers she had worked so hard to protect. Nova felt blind, trusting the empty promises without fully checking the details. She sighed, disappointment rising like waves crashing against the shore—not just because she had been deceived, but because of the potential harm she could have unknowingly caused to her loyal customers.
Unable to let this continue, Nova decided to take action. She wouldn’t let Pure Radiance continue to harm her customers. The feeling of betrayal and anger pushed her to confront Gregory and Pure Radiance head-on, not just to protect her brand but to defend the values she had always held dear: the safety and health of those who trusted in Melanin Grace.
Upon reading the email, Nova couldn’t sit still. The feeling of unease quickly transformed into overwhelming tension as she realized that she had just uncovered a terrifying truth. She wasn’t merely dealing with an ordinary business scandal, but a vast ethical violation. After spending countless nights tirelessly investigating, Nova discovered a shocking reality: Pure Radiance Corporation, with all its outward glamour, was secretly testing a toxic product line on unsuspecting customers in Africa through an “anonymous” distribution chain. These products were marketed as beauty cosmetics, yet contained extremely harmful ingredients that could seriously damage users’ health. This was not just a business strategy but an outright crime, a blatant violation of human ethics and dignity.
Fueled by anger and an unshakable resolve, Nova decided to take action. She couldn’t sit idly by while this truth remained concealed, nor could she allow things to continue the way Gregory and Pure Radiance desired. She gathered all the evidence she had and wasted no time returning to the Pure Radiance headquarters, preparing to confront Gregory, the boss, to end the agreement once and for all. While waiting for Gregory, an unexpected event occurred that made Nova even more determined and resolute. She inadvertently overheard Gregory’s phone call, and his words slapped her across the face.
“The Melanin Grace brand is the perfect PR stunt,” Gregory said, his tone self-satisfied and calculating. “Give them a few years in the spotlight, then we’ll slowly guide customers back to the ‘old’ beauty standards. They’ll think we’re diversifying, but in reality, we’re ‘taming’ them.” These words struck a direct blow to Nova’s ideals and beliefs. Gregory had no intention of honoring the diversity of beauty; he didn’t care about the values that Melanin Grace stood for. To him, everything was a tool to grab attention, exploiting social movements for profit, only to later pull customers back to the outdated, harmful beauty standards he had always pursued. Nova couldn’t believe what she had just heard, but she also realized that this was undeniable proof. Gregory wasn’t just manipulating the market, but exploiting vulnerable people—those who didn’t know they were being pushed into a dangerous trap.
Angry, disappointed, but with an unwavering determination, Nova refused to let herself succumb to negative emotions. She quickly recorded Gregory’s conversation and made it her final, most solid piece of evidence to expose Pure Radiance’s crimes. She knew that to stop this game, she couldn’t just ask them to cease; she needed to uncover the whole truth and fight for the values she had always believed in. Nova was not only facing a powerful corporation, but a battle for conscience and justice, where she had to stand up to protect those being exploited by Pure Radiance while also fighting to preserve her faith in true human beauty.
Nova was no longer just a businesswoman; she had become a fierce warrior. Not only did she hold convincing evidence, but she also carried within her a burning fury, a thirst for revealing the hidden truth. Leaving Pure Radiance’s headquarters, a place where she had once placed her trust in a system rife with deception and ruthless ambition, Nova knew this battle was not just for her but for the community as a whole. The vows she silently made were like an unbreakable contract: to expose every secret, awaken awareness in every person, and make justice finally speak.
Without hesitation, Nova decided to host a public livestream. Amidst the glow of phone screens, she stood firm and strong, as millions of eyes from around the world watched. She was no longer a person seeking sympathy; she had become the bearer of a mission to awaken the masses. With a firm voice and an unyielding attitude, Nova revealed everything she had uncovered. She broadcasted the internal email from Pure Radiance, shedding light on a malicious plot: the plan to use toxic phenol brighteners to “whiten” the skin of people of color, a strategy deeply rooted in racism and exploitation.
Next, Nova had no hesitation in airing the recording of Gregory, CEO of Pure Radiance, calling Melanin Grace—a product marketed as a celebration of diversity and the natural beauty of people of color—simply “the perfect PR stunt.” He bluntly revealed the company’s intentions: to “tame” customers, turning them into tools to beautify their brand without any real respect. These words were not only an insult, but also an attempt to push an entire community into a pit of shame and harm. The recording quickly spread, sparking heated discussions across forums and social media platforms.
Not stopping there, Nova decided to provide even more specific evidence. She publicly shared heartbreaking images of victims in Africa, those whose skin had been severely damaged after trying Pure Radiance’s “anonymous” products. The burns, swelling, and peeling skin spoke louder than words, transforming this case into an unforgivable human rights violation. The world was stunned as they witnessed this painful truth.
Soon after Nova revealed this information, a wave of support began to rise from the community. Zuri Banks, a famous model and close friend of Nova’s, immediately spoke out. She shared her own painful experiences, recounting the time when Pure Radiance used her as a “diversity mannequin,” a tool to build the brand’s image without respecting her humanity. Zuri’s story moved not only her fans but also those fighting for justice. The backlash against Pure Radiance spread not only from celebrities but also from dermatologists, social activists, and reputable journalists. Together, they demanded answers and justice for those whose rights and health had been violated.
Nova’s fight was no longer just personal; it had become a larger movement, a powerful voice for the community seeking justice. What seemed like a woman daring to confront powerful forces had turned her into a symbol for those fighting for rights, freedom, and respect. Her story was not just a warning to a powerful corporation, but a beacon for those silenced and forgotten.
The media storm Nova unleashed was not only a fierce attack but also the beginning of a revolution in the beauty industry. As undeniable evidence of fraud and abuse in Pure Radiance’s promotional strategy came to light, the corporation faced lawsuits for ethical violations and medical standards, as well as an irreversible trust crisis. Their stock plummeted, and under immense pressure from shareholders, Gregory Langford, CEO of Pure Radiance, was forced to resign, ending the career of a man who always considered himself the “definition of beauty.” The collapse of Pure Radiance was a clear demonstration of the irreversible change within the industry, where beauty would no longer be confined to a single standard.
Meanwhile, Melanin Grace—the brand Nova founded—began a new and glorious chapter. After the shocking events, the brand received strong support from the community, not only for Nova’s honesty but also for the values she represented. Melanin Grace was not just a beauty brand; it was a voice for people of color, a revolution in how the industry perceives and celebrates diverse beauty. With funding from a social investment fund supporting businesses founded by people of color, Melanin Grace had the resources to expand its distribution system and bring its products to millions. The brand’s remarkable growth was a testament to the profound societal change, where diversity and fairness were increasingly appreciated.
Nova didn’t stop there. She understood that to change an industry, sustainable and long-lasting opportunities must be created. That’s why Nova decided to establish the “Melanin First Lab,” a laboratory and training center for cosmetic science specifically designed for women of color. This wasn’t just a business venture; it was a mission. Melanin First Lab would be a place where young women, especially women of color, would have the chance to learn, research, and develop beauty products that are suited to their unique needs, fundamentally transforming the beauty industry from its roots. Nova’s story, from a small entrepreneur to a symbol of struggle and triumph, was turned into a book and caught the attention of Netflix, who bought the rights to turn it into a documentary film.
The final scene of the story is an emotional moment, as Nova stands on stage at the “Women of Color in Business” conference, facing thousands of women of color, shining brightly and full of confidence. Her words echo through the silent space: “I used to think lipstick was just a cosmetic. But today, I understand: for women of color, it’s a shield – a symbol of freedom, choice, and the right to be represented.” Those words weren’t just her own story; they were a powerful affirmation of the invisible strength that every person carries within. It was a declaration of freedom and the right to express oneself in a unique way. This moment sparked a powerful shift, marking the end of an unequal battle between outdated standards and the awakening of a new generation, opening a new era in the beauty industry, where diversity and respect are no longer just slogans, but core values.
If you believe that beauty does not have a single standard, share Nova’s story. Use the hashtag #BeautyHonorsYourRoots to spread the message of diversity and respect. Every share is a statement that we will not stay silent in the face of prejudice and manipulation.
Nova’s story is proof that your support can create big change. Learn about and support beauty brands founded by people of color, or companies committed to celebrating diverse beauty. Your choices are not just purchases, they are votes for fairness and ethics.
Don’t just read this story, be a part of it. If you are a young person of color passionate about science, look for opportunities like Nova’s “Melanin First Lab.” If you work in the beauty industry, speak out about the lack of fairness. By taking action, we can turn pain into power, and silence into the voice of an entire generation.