Beauty influencer Golloria has criticised Huda Beauty's new Bronze Filter Palette after testing its darkest shade, questioning whether the brand has done enough to accommodate consumers with deeper skin tones. The creator's review has prompted discussions about shade inclusivity, product photography and the cosmetics industry's continued struggle to deliver genuinely diverse complexion products.
The controversy emerged after Golloria tested Huda Beauty's newly released powder bronzer palette, which comes in five variations: Light, Medium, Tan, Rich and Ultra Rich. Despite the latter being marketed as the deepest option, the beauty creator was unimpressed with how it looked on her skin.
In a video she shared on Reddit's r/Fauxmoi community on Thursday, 12 November, she said the darkest shade wasn't deep enough. The criticism has since drawn attention from users asking why established cosmetics brands still struggle with darker-complexion products.
The Ultra Rich Bronzer Comes Under Fire
Huda Beauty's Bronze Filter Palette is the brand's first powder bronzer collection. Each compact contains four shades designed to provide different effects, including bronzing, contouring, rosy warmth and radiance.
The Ultra Rich palette features rich chocolate brown and burgundy, muted plum, cool-toned espresso, and warm mahogany. According to the brand's product description, the shades can be worn individually, layered, or blended to create a bronzed, sculpted finish. The palette retails for $49 (£37) on Huda Beauty's US website and is also available through Sephora.
Comment
by u/Relevant-Peach3997 from discussion
in Fauxmoi
Golloria's assessment has raised questions about whether the deepest option delivers the intensity suggested by its promotional images. Reddit users discussing her review pointed out a difference between the colours shown in the product photographs and how the powders appeared in the video.
Some commenters questioned whether the promotional images accurately represented the actual shades, while others suggested the palette might have been photographed or presented differently from the product the creator received.
Huda Beauty Reopens Shade Inclusivity Debate
The reaction also reflects a wider frustration among beauty consumers who believe brands should have moved beyond offering limited options for deeper complexions. Several Reddit users questioned why cosmetics companies continue to overlook darker skin tones during product development and testing. Others argued that brands need to involve more Black women in their product development teams to identify shade and undertone problems before products reach store shelves.
One commenter pointed to Fenty Beauty's influence on the industry, recalling how the brand's approach to complexion inclusivity changed expectations when it launched in 2017. Others noted that a product labelled Ultra Rich does not automatically suit everyone with a deep complexion. Undertones, pigmentation, and how a formula looks after blending can all affect whether a bronzer works for an individual consumer.
Comment
by u/Relevant-Peach3997 from discussion
in Fauxmoi
The discussion also included comments from shoppers who felt the shade range had gaps, with some saying the darkest option was too deep for them while the next available shade was not dark enough.
Golloria Has Challenged Major Beauty Brands
This is not the first time Golloria has highlighted the lack of suitable complexion products for darker skin tones. The beauty creator criticised Haus Labs, Lady Gaga's cosmetics brand, over its planned Sun Dipped Bronzing Veil collection.
In May 2026, the beauty influencer tested three of the darkest shades and questioned whether they were sufficiently deep for consumers with darker complexions. The disagreement escalated after Haus Labs reportedly asked her to remove her review because the product was still under embargo.
Comment
by u/Relevant-Peach3997 from discussion
in Fauxmoi
Lady Gaga addressed the controversy in a statement on 1 October 2026, acknowledging that the brand had made the wrong decision by initially planning to release the bronzer in only six shades. She also apologised for how the company handled Golloria's criticism. Haus Labs paused the launch and returned to product development, expanding the planned range from six to 11 shades.
Golloria's latest criticism of Huda Beauty has revived an ongoing conversation about accountability in the cosmetics industry. While Huda Beauty has not been seen to respond to the latest review, the discussion raises another question for makeup brands: is offering a shade labelled Ultra Rich enough, or should companies do more to ensure their products work across the full spectrum of deeper skin tones?
