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With so few beauty products crafted specifically for Black women on the market, it’s always tough when one of our own is in trouble.

In light of the recent controversy surrounding Black Opal‘s decision to extend their brand’s complexion reach, another cosmetics line designed for women of color, Fashion Fair, is slowly disappearing from department stores, despite demand.

Shelves that once held the popular Black women’s cosmetics line have become makeup ghost towns and loyal customers want to know why.

CEO of Johnson Publishing, Desiree Rogers, explains to the Washington Post that unfortunately, the drop in product output is a part of a frustrating cycle.

When customers realized that the products were hard to find, they started stocking up on their supplies. The change in consumption patterns placed a lot of stress on manufacturers and the catch up process has been agonizingly slow.

“We’ve inundated our suppliers,” Rogers explains, “[but] I can’t demand they shut down other projects and just do mine.

The makeup line has catered to the Black community since 1942 when it was created to fill a niche in the African American beauty market.

Despite the brand’s deep history and continued demand, the economic downturn of Johnson Publishing (who owns Ebony, Jet, and Fashion Fair) has also played a role in the production decline.

Regardless of the economic trouble, Rogers insists that the worst is over.  The brand is looking to reinvigorate their image, and the transition is almost complete.

“We know we have to do better, and we will,” she says. “We’re not here to make an excuse but to thank [customers] for their business.”

It’s encouraging to know there are still brands out there for us, and by us. We hope the brand gets back on its feet soon.

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