In the past few years, a small but expanding handful of brands have begun catering to a spectrum of skin tones. Some, like Christian Louboutin and Naja, are existing labels that have rolled out full-fledged nude palettes (in shoes and lingerie, respectively). Others, such as Nubian Skin, were conceived expressly to address the pathetically paltry range of "nudes" available in hosiery and lingerie — and now offer plus sizes, too. And last month, a new all-in-one spot for myriad nude tones, FleshTone.net, debuted.
The site is intended to be both a blog and Amazon-esque e-comm destination focused on truly skin-matching products, founder Tayo Ade told Elle. Ade, a lawyer as well as a professional dancer based in Australia, decided to start the site because of two different, equally frustrating situations. First, Ade couldn't find a pair of fishnet tights to match her complexion for a samba performance. Then her kindergarten-age daughter asked if straight versus naturally curly hair was "better." Ade decided to create a digital one-stop shop that, befuddlingly, still didn't exist, carrying everything from concealer to construction paper to clutches in nudes of all shades.
"Here at FleshTone.net, beige is not our one-size-fits-all, our ‘normal’, our ‘nude,’ or our starting point," according to the site. "We assume nothing... You do not need to explain anything to us about your skin color and your needs. We get it."
The site stocks a comprehensive selection of nude products across categories, including clothing, shoes, and beauty loot. There's a whole section of dancewear, too, given Ade's experience and focus. You'll also find bandages, candles, and greeting cards.
It might be a bit early for comparisons to an e-comm behemoth like Amazon, given the frill-free look of FleshTone. But it's about time for a comprehensive resource for products for a wide range of skin tones, and not just in a fashion context. What types of truly nude-for-all items do you want to see FleshTone carry eventually?