Glow & Lovely

Fair & Lovely (cosmetics)

Glow & Lovely (formerly known as Fair & Lovely) is a skin care product and brand marketed primarily in India and other parts of the world. It is produced by Unilever, a British-Dutch multinational company. The product has been the subject of controversy and criticism due to its advertising campaigns, which have been accused of promoting colorism and suggesting that lighter skin leads to greater success and happiness. In response to growing backlash and evolving societal norms, Unilever announced in 2020 that it would rebrand Fair & Lovely to Glow & Lovely, aiming to shift the brand's focus from skin lightening to radiance, glow, and skin care without emphasizing skin tone.

History

Glow & Lovely was introduced to the market in the 1970s as Fair & Lovely. Over the years, it became one of the best-selling skin care products in India, capturing a significant share of the skin lightening market. The brand's success can be attributed to its extensive marketing campaigns, which often featured narratives where women with darker skin tones used the product to become significantly lighter, leading to improved prospects in their careers, marriages, and overall social standing.

Controversy

The brand has faced considerable criticism for perpetuating colorism, a prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group. Critics argue that the advertisements for Fair & Lovely (now Glow & Lovely) reinforce harmful stereotypes that associate beauty and success with lighter skin. The backlash against such products has grown in recent years, fueled by broader conversations about racism and beauty standards.

Rebranding

In June 2020, Unilever announced that it would change the name of Fair & Lovely to Glow & Lovely. This decision was part of a broader move by the company to ensure its portfolio of beauty and personal care products did not perpetuate outdated beauty ideals. The rebranding was accompanied by a change in marketing strategy, with the company stating that it would focus on messages of empowerment and skin care, rather than skin lightening.

Product Range

The Glow & Lovely product line includes a range of skin care items, such as creams, face washes, and lotions. These products are marketed with the promise of providing glowing, radiant skin rather than altering the skin's natural pigmentation. The brand aims to cater to various skin care needs, including hydration, sun protection, and brightness.

Impact

The rebranding of Fair & Lovely to Glow & Lovely has sparked discussions about the impact of beauty products on societal standards and the importance of responsible marketing. While some view the name change as a positive step towards inclusivity and diversity in beauty standards, others argue that it is merely a superficial change that does not address the underlying issues of colorism and beauty norms.

See Also

• Skin Whitening
• Unilever
• Colorism
• Beauty Standards