Why Is Iman the Only One Making BB Creams for Women of Color?

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Iman announced last week that she's expanding her beauty line for women of color by adding a range of BB creams. Though BB creams—a combo of foundation, skin corrector, and sunscreen whose name stands for "Beauty Balm"—are relatively new in the US, they've been a huge seller in 2012 and are definitely part of the new guard in skincare. But Iman, who has talked about her own difficulties finding makeup that works for her skin, is doing a broader color spectrum than most of her competitors. "I said if I can't find one to match me then there's a problem because I'm really in the middle. But I couldn't [find one]," the supermodel told WWD.

While BBs have been huge sellers, most come in a more limited range of colors than foundations, concealers, or powders do. Bobbi Brown's originally came in a single shade but now offers five, the darkest of which is "medium to dark." Meanwhile, she has two very pale white shades. Smashbox's range also has five shades, with just one "dark." Too Faced has four colors available, but the darkest is a warm tan "beach glow."

Despite Garnier's huge ad push for their BB cream, it's only available in two hues, "Light/medium" and "Medium/deep," and the a rep for the brand told Racked that they have no plans to expand their color selection. And that's still one more option than Stila, whose Stay All Day Beauty Balm comes in exactly one color, so if that one doesn't work for you you're out of luck.

Next up for Iman: BB products specifically for eyes, which would be an industry first. Let's see if everyone else follows her lead.

· Iman Is Launching BB Cream for Women of Color [The Cut]
· Beverly Johnson: The Iconic Model Talks Hair Products for Women of Color and Her Upcoming Reality Show [Racked]
· Iman Cosmetics [Official Site]