Meghan Markle Opens Up About Beauty Ad Rejections Over Freckles

Meghan Markle recently shared a personal experience on a podcast, revealing that her freckles had once prevented her from auditioning for beauty ads during her acting days. The Duchess of Sussex, now 43, reflected on how her commercial agent couldn’t submit her for beauty or skincare ads because of her freckles, which were not considered a traditional standard of beauty at the time.

In a conversation with her friend Jamie Kern Lima on Lemonada Media’s “Confessions of a Female Founder” podcast, Meghan expressed how the beauty industry’s narrow definition of beauty had excluded individuals like her with freckles. She highlighted the lack of representation for people with unique features in beauty advertisements and how it affected her career as an actor.

Meghan commended Kern Lima, the founder of It Cosmetics, for pioneering a new approach by using real women of diverse ages, shapes, sizes, and skin tones as models for her products. She acknowledged the revolutionary nature of Kern Lima’s decision to challenge industry norms and redefine beauty standards through inclusive marketing strategies.

Kern Lima, who founded It Cosmetics in 2008 after facing challenges with rosacea and hyperpigmentation, shared her own struggles in getting her brand recognized in the market. Despite facing rejections for three years, she persisted in her vision of creating products that catered to people with skin issues and showcased real individuals in her campaigns.

Meghan also revealed how Kern Lima’s advice had influenced her own entrepreneurial journey when launching her brand, As Ever. The tough love advice she received from Kern Lima about the importance of timing and patience resonated with her, ultimately guiding her to make strategic decisions for her business.

In retrospect, Meghan acknowledged that although she initially resisted Kern Lima’s advice, it ultimately provided her with the necessary perspective and space to develop her brand thoughtfully. The friendship and mentorship between Meghan and Kern Lima underscored the importance of supporting and uplifting women in the business world.

Overall, Meghan’s candid conversation with Kern Lima shed light on the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the beauty industry, showcasing the power of challenging conventional norms and advocating for authentic representation in advertising campaigns.