As a successful model, Iman had access to the most coveted innovations of style and beauty. In this world of beauty and glamour, one would assume that every beauty need would be catered. However, this was not the case. Makeup artists would often ask supermodel Iman to bring her own makeup to set. The message behind this request reiterated the lack of products available to women of color. The makeup artists didn’t have foundations for darker skin tones; thus, ethnically diverse models, such as Iman, would have to spend more money to research brands that catered to their skin tone. Iman started to mix different foundations until she created a formula that worked for her skin tone. Still frustrated with the lack of diversity in makeup shades,
…show more content…
The cosmetics line started in 400 JC Penny stores. In just two years, the brand’s sales skyrocketed to over $5 million (Cowles). Iman cosmetics became the prestige brand for women of color, which at the time applied to black women. The steady growth in sales caught the attention of major distributors. In 2004, Iman signed a deal with Procter & Gamble, introducing her line to the mass market. The distribution agreement made her line available to mass retailers including Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens and Duane Reade. The products were sold in 50 doors for each retailer. Even with huge distributors like Wal-Mart and Target, Iman still battled to reach her target market. She notes that most mass retailers responded to her product with caution, attempting to place them at the back of their stores. Despite the hurdles and setbacks, Iman cosmetics thrived. It created “one of the great makeup evolutions for women of color” and continues to redefine the cosmetics game …show more content…
It no longer distributes with JC Penny and is now owned by Impala Inc. With its main headquarters in New York, Iman cosmetics is sold through the world. The line is sold in the US in select CVS, Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Duane Reade, and Walmart stores, independent regional retailers and military commissaries. Internationally, the brand is sold in Canada, France, UK, Africa, and the Caribbean in select department stores. In 2012, Iman cosmetics launched in Jamaica with cosmetics expert and artistic director of Iman Cosmetics, Byron Barnes leading the way (Drummond). The brand is popular overseas, with loyal customers in India, Nigeria, and Mexico. It offers one of the “largest selections of flawless finish makeup and state of the art treatment products available globally” (Reid). The majority of business is now conducted online because of retailers refusing to put her products with the rest of their makeup. The line is available online on their main site and at Target.com, Walgreens.com, and Walmart.com. In addition, the brand shifted to a more holistic vision (Iman). Today, the brand caters to all multi-cultural women. The Iman brand philosophy emphasizes that women of color “represent many races, cultures, and ethnicities,” thus the line is designed for “African-American, Asian, Latina and multi-cultural women with skin tones in a myriad of shades” (Impala). The line address the variety in beauty and cosmetics by focusing on
The cosmetics line started in 400 JC Penny stores. In just two years, the brand’s sales skyrocketed to over $5 million (Cowles). Iman cosmetics became the prestige brand for women of color, which at the time applied to black women. The steady growth in sales caught the attention of major distributors. In 2004, Iman signed a deal with Procter & Gamble, introducing her line to the mass market. The distribution agreement made her line available to mass retailers including Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens and Duane Reade. The products were sold in 50 doors for each retailer. Even with huge distributors like Wal-Mart and Target, Iman still battled to reach her target market. She notes that most mass retailers responded to her product with caution, attempting to place them at the back of their stores. Despite the hurdles and setbacks, Iman cosmetics thrived. It created “one of the great makeup evolutions for women of color” and continues to redefine the cosmetics game …show more content…
It no longer distributes with JC Penny and is now owned by Impala Inc. With its main headquarters in New York, Iman cosmetics is sold through the world. The line is sold in the US in select CVS, Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Duane Reade, and Walmart stores, independent regional retailers and military commissaries. Internationally, the brand is sold in Canada, France, UK, Africa, and the Caribbean in select department stores. In 2012, Iman cosmetics launched in Jamaica with cosmetics expert and artistic director of Iman Cosmetics, Byron Barnes leading the way (Drummond). The brand is popular overseas, with loyal customers in India, Nigeria, and Mexico. It offers one of the “largest selections of flawless finish makeup and state of the art treatment products available globally” (Reid). The majority of business is now conducted online because of retailers refusing to put her products with the rest of their makeup. The line is available online on their main site and at Target.com, Walgreens.com, and Walmart.com. In addition, the brand shifted to a more holistic vision (Iman). Today, the brand caters to all multi-cultural women. The Iman brand philosophy emphasizes that women of color “represent many races, cultures, and ethnicities,” thus the line is designed for “African-American, Asian, Latina and multi-cultural women with skin tones in a myriad of shades” (Impala). The line address the variety in beauty and cosmetics by focusing on