Simone Ashley Says She'd Love to Create a Beauty Line for Darker-Skinned Women
The actor spoke about the importance of representation in a new interview.
Simone Ashley opened up about her journey into the industry in a new interview with British Vogue, talking about her experiences as a darker-skinned woman.
“I didn’t have the traditional entry into this industry that a lot of my white peers had, that of being a thespian, and I’ve always found that a bit isolating. But, I don’t want the colour of my skin to ever stop me,” she told the publication. Ashley went on to explain that while she’s sure that her darker skin was “restrictive,” she admits that ultimately, she “never surrendered to it.”
“Things have taken me longer than other young actors who maybe don’t have the same restrictions. But, I never surrendered to it. I remember being a kid and people saying certain things that make you really aware of the colour of your skin. I remember seeing those Fair & Lovely creams – they smelt so good, like baby powder, but I didn’t understand what they were,” Ashley admits. She adds “Now I’m like, ‘Wow. That’s messed up.’ But, I adore the colour of my skin. I always have.”
The actor went on to praise her make-up artist Alex Babsky and hair-stylist Peter Lux for understanding it and helping her to feel her best. “I get emotional talking about this,” she says. “They understand my skin and the texture of my hair, and when getting ready for events, we find the joy within it. And it’s not a superficial thing – it’s about normalising dark skin and curly hair for girls who need to see that normalised.”
Ashley then confessed that one day, she’d like to create a beauty line for young women just like her, with a focus on dark skin and curly hair. “I want them to be like, “Yes, I’ve got exactly the right products for me.’”
While we don’t imagine the actor will have time to kick things off just yet (Bridgerton season 3 is upon us, after all) we’re seriously excited by the prospect of a Simone Ashley beauty line, so we’ll wait patiently.
