Because We're All Worth It: L'Oreal's Groundbreaking Campaign AT LAST Shows Some Diversity

In my opinion, the beauty of the beauty industry is that it's something that can be enjoyed by everyone. No matter your age, skin tone, skin type, background, gender, application ability or even interest in the latest on-trend lipstick shade, we can all enjoy beauty products in our own way; they're non-discriminatory in the way that often fashion is not. I love the fact that my Mum, Nan, Aunt and best friends can all get excited about a new face serum, glitter nail polish or hand cream despite their differences in every other element of their lives. I adore the fact that the beauty blogging world has opened up a whole new way of connecting with individuals that are more 'like us' (whether that's in age, the colour of their skin or whether they're dealing with a physical or mental illness.) However, like I addressed in my post about the under-representation of women of colour in blogging, this hasn't quite transitioned into the wider world in a way that we all may have liked. We simply don't see diversity in our stores, within our magazines and on our televisions, despite the UK being such an ethnically and culturally diverse place.

This translates into the shades that we see on counters and often the 'white wash' of foundation tones that leave a huge proportion of the population unable to find their perfect match; it's such a little thing that makes a huge difference, unsurprisingly leaving women (and men) feeling excluded from such a simple pleasure. According to L'Oreal Paris, 61% of women have yet to find their ideal foundation simply because of the lack of shades available on the high street; you've told me before about your frustration (particularly when I wrote about the launch of Superdrug's 'Shades Of Beauty' campaign here,) so it's with open arms we can celebrate the exciting new #YoursTruly campaign from the brand - and more importantly, the extended range of 23 True Match shades that they claim now match 98% of the population's skin tones.

It's thrilling to see the #YoursTruly campaign featuring 23 of UK’s most influential and inspirational individuals as ambassadors for diversity. Sharing their stories and their honest experiences of finding that perfect foundation shade (and each representing one that's now available,) L'Oreal have created some videos that illustrate the struggles they've faced, as well as the importance something as simple as the perfect foundation match plays in their lives. It's incredible to see women of all ages, skin tones, backgrounds and abilities within one story - from Katie Piper and Jordan Bone who've shared their own struggles with disability and personal appearance, to Grace Victory, Kaushal and Amena who have created diversity online, and Jane Cunningham from British Beauty Blogger who champions a woman's rights to enjoy makeup no matter her age. I adore the fact there's a headscarf seen in a mainstream campaign for maybe the first time ever, the recognition that even men can enjoy makeup, and a redhead doing it for the palest among us. No box has been left un-ticked. I honestly feel like we've been waiting for this campaign our entire lives.

What I feel is an even more positive step forward is that this isn't a campaign that's just been created for social or 'viral' purposes; this will be seen in stores and on television screens, as well as within magazines. L'Oreal have taken a huge opportunity and embraced it wholeheartedly, realising they can be the ones to make huge waves and changes within an industry that has traditionally made it quite hard for themselves. This is so much more than the launch of an extended foundation line - this is a revolution in diversity. And it's absolutely about time.

What do you think of the #YoursTruly campaign? Has it been a long time coming? 

Find out more about the L'Oreal #YoursTruly campaign and each of the 23 influencers here.

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