"Dark Girls" Drawings Challenge The Lack Of Diversity In The Beauty Industry

"If little black girls don't see women like them celebrated as beautiful, they will start to believe that they aren't either."

Illustrator Brittany Brown wanted to challenge the lack of diversity in fashion and beauty images. So she created a gorgeous series of illustrations called "Dark Girls."

brittanyhollowaybrown.com

Each of Brown's luminous images features a beautiful illustration coupled with the actual makeup needed to get the look.

Brittany Brown / Via brittanyhollowaybrown.com

Relatively new to illustration, the 24-year-old Brooklyn artist has been blown away by the response to the series.

Brittany Brown / Via brittanyhollowaybrown.com

Brown told BuzzFeed she was moved to create the series after noticing the lack of diversity in beauty images.

Brittany Brown / Via brittanyhollowaybrown.com

"It's still very apparent that the lifestyle industry is not diverse, despite our ever-evolving cultures and population," she said. "Representation matters so much; things seen in popular culture and the media we consume shape who we are and what we aspire to be. "

Brown admits that she was "a bit of a late bloomer" when it came to beauty.

Brittany Brown / Via brittanyhollowaybrown.com

"I was very awkward in middle school and high school and only grew into my looks in college. Not every beauty decision I made was chic, of course." But, she says, "Being surrounded by so many different and distinct personalities really helped to shape my own look. Learning about art begot my interests in fashion and subsequently, beauty. A whole new world opened up for me."

Brown is looking forward to expanding the series.

Brittany Brown / Via brittanyhollowaybrown.com

"The fact that people are recreating my illustrations in their everyday lives is really amazing. If my work helps someone with their confidence and self-esteem, that's what I care about. I want this series to move people."

And she believes that her work serves a larger purpose: To let all little girls know that they're beautiful.

Brittany Brown / Via brittanyhollowaybrown.com

"If little black girls don't see women like them celebrated as beautiful, they will start to believe that they aren't either. It's important to show beauty in every shape, every size, every color."