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EXCLUSIVE: Naturi Naughton Was Mocked For Her Skin Tone As A Girl And Now She's Fighting Back

"It was an ongoing process to recognizing my beauty, but I am glad that I didn't let other people’s opinions of me diminish my confidence.”

Naturi Naughton has every reason to celebrate. She’s in a happy relationship; she just gave birth to a healthy baby girl in July and she is an award-winning actress on the Starz hit drama Power. Now to add to her plethora of success, she’s the first ever brand ambassador of AJ Crimson Beauty, a cosmetic brand specifically created for people of color. 

(Photo: AJ Crimson Beauty)

AJ Crimson Beauty

(Photo: AJ Crimson Beauty)

The Naturi Naughton x AJ Crimson collaboration has proven its success by selling out since the August 17 launch. The “Celebrate You” collection features three bold-colored lip glosses ($22 each) that make lips glow.

“Naturi was best suited for the brand because she embodies the qualities and values that I believe most of our Crimson girls stand by — hard working, outspoken, talented and just a great independent individual,” AJ Crimson shared exclusively with BET.

“She also has a story that mimics that of a lot of our supporters. She is a beautiful brown girl that is usually left out of the beauty conversation. She loves beauty and embraces her uniqueness! We always try to speak to this girl first so partnering with a beautiful deep brown Black woman that loves bright colors as much as I do — Naturi was it hands down! I also love that she was a true supporter of the brand well before meeting me and before we began working together.”

We spoke with the Power star as she dished out the details of her new collaboration with the Black-owned cosmetic brand, her experience dealing with adversity due to her skin tone and how she is celebrating her beauty.

(Photo: AJ Crimson Beauty)

AJ Crimson Beauty

(Photo: AJ Crimson Beauty)

“As a teenager it wasn't easy to overcome that type of adversity, honestly. It took maturity,” she reflected about being mocked for her skin tone. “I had to build my own self-esteem and keeping good people around me to lift me up. It was an ongoing process to recognizing my beauty, but I am glad that I didn't let other people’s opinions of me diminish my confidence.”

Looking at the 33-year-old, who seems to always show her pearly whites, it is hard to believe that she would have ever dealt with wavering confidence as a youth. As an adult, she is using her new beauty platform to help women “celebrate themselves in all their many hues.”

(Photo: AJ Crimson Beauty)

AJ Crimson Beauty

(Photo: AJ Crimson Beauty)

“It’s so important for us to celebrate ourselves because the beauty industry sometimes excludes women of color. It is really important to take that power back and learn how to celebrate ourselves,” Naturi shared. “The kinds of women wearing the “Celebrate You” collection are strong women who are bold and unafraid to make powerful moves in their lives. No matter what age or background, as long as they got swag, I can definitely see them wearing one of my colors!”

With a strong collection name like “Celebrate You,” we had to ask how Naturi takes the time to celebrate her beauty.

“Although I’m a beauty girl to my core and love to play with products, it’s not just about the makeup but how you feel underneath it. I love a good 'beat' face but I also enjoy when all the makeup comes off at the end of the day,” she shared. “It’s really important to care for your skin. For me, I celebrate my beauty when I'm the most natural. No makeup on, chilling, catching up on shows, just being myself — all while knowing my worth!” Naturi confessed. 

When asked her thoughts on being the first brand ambassador for the brand, she was very excited. “It feels amazing!” she said while giving us her beautiful smile. “AJ champions women of color and so do I. I feel really validated, really beautiful, and really special that I was chosen to be the first ambassador. I’m super proud to be a part of the AJ Crimson Beauty movement.”

Oh, and her favorite lip glosses of the collection: “My favorite is ‘She's Everything.' I love orange hues, especially on darker skin! ‘She's Everything’ is so bold and sexy! It gives me life!”

The “Celebrate You” collection includes three standout hues with long-lasting, 48-hour coverage. She’s Everything,” “Ooh…I’m Cute” and “Power Play” are already available at AJ Crimson Boutique (LA), ajcrimson.com and other fine retailers for $22 each.

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