Mirror, Mirror: The Evolution of Black Beauty

Beauty politics has had a mobilizing effect on racial group consciousness. The active participation and behaviors of Black women across the African diaspora have informed the identity, attitudes and beliefs of Black Americans and Black Britons across both societies. The extent to which this shared aesthetic awareness permeates the ideals of Black beauty culture is explored through the personal experiences of the two authors from their own American and UK perspectives. They discuss the ways in which Black American and Black British women have navigated the dominant culture of white beauty standards through advertisements, publications, film, music and fashion. Their meticulously researched, authoritative and readable text places cosmetic ideals firmly at the centre of consumer capitalism, visual media production, notions of beauty and protest politics.

In addition to drawing on their own experiences, the authors interweave the text with inspirational case studies, profiles and interviews with Black female makeup artists, stylists, cultural producers, influencers and consumers of Black beauty ideals.

CONTENTS
1 Knowing Our Place: Exploring the origins of beauty standards
2 Shaping Beauty: The intersection of pop culture and social constructs
3 From Soul to Style: Unravelling the myths and truths of media representations in Black feminine culture
4 The Evolution and Revolution of Beauty Brands
5 The Future of Black Beauty