Patrick Ta

What started off as a conversation about the product, if this was a need or not, it grew to a much larger conversation about recognition and creator influence, especially within the Black community.

And

not being recognized for their contributions on culture.

At first, to be honest, I did not understand it.

The intent of this launch was never to take ownership over this technique.

It was to really create a product to simplify this artist technique that people have been doing

and simplifying it for the consumer.

This has become such a larger conversation, and I've had to take a step back and to really listen to what everyone has been saying.

And I've realized that even though it wasn't my intention, the impact matters.

Esther is an amazing makeup artist.

She really popularized this high contrast of blush on dark skin.

When we were creating the launch strategy for this collection, I wanted to invite artists and creatives and creators that shared the same love for blush.

So I personally reached out to Esther.

My team reached out to Esther and unfortunately she declined the opportunity because she wasn't taking paid collaborations at the moment.

This was prior to the launch.

Yeah.

This launch has been a very hard launch for me.

Like

Yeah.

I'm really sorry for like, I am genuinely sorry for like the hurt and the frustration that I have caused and that for anyone who has ever felt like overlooked or not recognized on like their contributions, like that was never my intent.