TED Outline Format 

Oral Content 

Topic: Inclusion in Beauty 

Purpose: To explore the connections between access to cosmetics and socioeconomic welfare 

Thesis Statement: An expansion in the diversity and size of shade ranges is indicative of a more inclusive beauty industry, one that celebrates people of all shades, tones, and undertones. 

  

Introduction 

Attention Strategy/ 

Orienting Material:         

  

When you think of Rihanna, what comes to mind? Is it her singing career? Maybe her acting career? When I think of Rihanna, I think of her work to promote inclusivity in beauty.  

  

Body 

1. Main Idea – Address the history of colorism in relation to standards of beauty. 

1. Cite paper by Frisby 

1. Slavery 

1. Skin lightening products 

1. Compare the ads and CoverGirls from the age of Christie Brinkley to today. 

1. More women of color. 

1. Even including men and braking gender norms. 

 

1. Main Idea – Discuss efforts within the beauty industry to create more shade inclusive lines.  

1. Fenty Beauty and its success 

1. Cite financial success as stated in LVMH financial reporting 

1. Media frenzy – mass praise  

1. The Fenty Effect and how other companies have followed suit 

1. Huda and Too Faced 

1. Backlash surrounding Beautyblender for not following suit 

  

1. Main Idea – Draw the connection between access to cosmetics and socio-economic success.  

1. Cite paper regarding earnings potential and cosmetics use 

1. People who wear cosmetics have higher earnings potential 

1. Having access to makeup, then, can lead to higher earnings 

1. Limited shade ranges limiting earnings  

1. Cite the paper regarding waitresses 

1. Women who wore makeup got better tips 

1. Even women in professional settings are expected, sometimes required, to wear makeup 

Conclusion 

While many may dismiss access to makeup as trivial, access to cosmetics that are appropriate for oneself can impact one’s socioeconomic standing. I’m grateful that women like Rihanna, who are equipped with the experience and resources to tackle this topic are doing their part, because it’s more than just the makeup; this shift is changing the ability of people to improve their socioeconomic status and allow them to feel beautiful in a society that has historically told them their dark skin is not. 

  

Visual Content 

Slide One 

Image of Rihanna to draw those watching the TED talk in, as she is a widely recognizable member of pop-culture and to relate to my hook.  

Slide Two 

Image of old beauty ads, possibly from the fifties, to relate to the concept of colorism and skin lightening products.  

Slide Three/Four 

Image of a Christie Brinkley CoverGirl ad followed by a more modern CoverGirl ad to act as a testament/evidence of the shift in their marketing. 

Slide Five 

Image of the Fenty Beauty shade range to show just how many shades they have available, especially for women of typically hard to match shades/women of color. 

Slide Six 

Image of the logos of the different brands I mention to act as a visual cue to keep me on track. 

Slide Seven  

Image of women waitressing to keep me on track and give a visual for what I’m talking about. 

Slide Eight 

Image of women working in a professional work environment to show the bias towards thinking of professional women as wearing cosmetics.