A brief overview of what is currently trending on X in news, culture, and/or trending hashtags and formats.
#ChiefsKingdom: Football fans are sharing their excitement as the new season kicks off with the Kansas City Chiefs playing the Baltimore Ravens tonight.
Russian: The US Justice Department has confirmed an alleged Russian election interference campaign linked to right-wing social media stars.
Vogue: Lady Gaga posed for the cover of Vogue and revealed her new pop album will be released in February 2025.
A deeper dive into a subject that is impacting culture on a macro level, beyond just the social space.
The Rhode to Beauty Inclusivity
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What It Is: Historically, the beauty industry has mostly catered to narrow, societal beauty standards with limited shade ranges that often exclude people with darker skin tones. Newer brands such as Fenty beauty have emerged that are inclusive of all skin types and colors, but beauty brands that still don’t have a wide range of inclusive shades should expect to get called out by influencers or consumers online — and be prepared to react accordingly. That’s exactly what happened this week with Hailey Bieber’s cosmetics company Rhode and one influencer who refused to stay quiet, making a huge impact in the process.
After beauty creator Golloria posted a review of Bieber’s Rhode blushes last month showcasing how the blush line was not compatible with darker skin tones, word got back to Bieber and she not only listened, but went a step further. Bieber took what Golloria had to say, created updated Rhode blushes that would work for her skin tone, called her personally to take accountability, and compensated her for shade consulting. The result was an updated “Redemption” video posted by Golloria this week that shed a much more positive light on Rhode and marked another step in making the beauty industry more inclusive.
The Brand Takeaway: The beauty industry can be a beast, especially for Black women who lack representation even though Black communities make up 11% of the total U.S. beauty market. Existing, narrow standards of beauty need to be constantly deconstructed, and this can start with brands. Listen to your consumers and the communities that you’re currently serving while continuing to search for which audiences are missing out on your product. So much of American culture, lingo, art, and beauty trends come from Black communities and many of the insights that lead brands to new ideas stem from them as well. Brands must listen to these communities and strive for a more inclusive mindset so that we can ultimately have a more representative and kind society. By acknowledging and paying respect to the those that impact culture and inspire creativity, you not only expand your consumer audience, but can gain powerful earned media in the process.
Four must-click links that crossed our feeds today.
Charli XCX has said goodbye to brat summer forever… But is this really the end? 👀🍏
The Venice Film Festival continues with the premiere screening of “Joker: Folie à Deux,” receiving an 11-minute standing ovation 🎥👏
Paralympian Ezra Frech won gold in the Men’s 100M and in the T63 high jump after setting a new Paralympic record 🥇
This season of the Bachelorette has come to a close and people are distraught for Jenn and very upset with the franchise 🌹
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice - Theaters, 9.6
A New York Story - Theaters, 9.6
All I’ve Got & Then Some - Theaters, 9.6
The Front Room - Theaters, 9.6
Ten Days - Fred Again..
Cowboys and Dreamers - George Strait
Infinite Icon - Paris Hilton
One More Time... Part-2 - Blink-182
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