Thandie Newton: Boots has Created Racial Divide by not Selling Make-up for Black Women

British star Thandie Newton has accused Boots of creating a racial divide by not selling make-up suitable for black women.

According to the Bafta-winning star, the high street retailer is separating shoppers and forcing those with darker skin to shop elsewhere by not stocking a variety of shades.

The 41-year-old beauty, who is the face of Olay, said that because there is now a 'ghettoisation' of cosmetics, some women believe their custom is not wanted.

"If the make-up was in there longer, the girls would go and get it and then the stores would get more, and they'd realise that everybody wants it, and then they would stock it," she said at a recent Selfridges event.

"There's this ghettoisation of make-up right now. The right shade is there for everybody but you can only get it at specialised shops. So you don't go to Boots. So as a result we are all being physically separated when we go and buy make-up."

Newton, whose acting credits include Misson: Impossible II and The Pursuit of Happyness, claimed that dark shades of foundation are on the shelves when a make-up range is launched, but are then gradually withdrawn.

She said: "We're starting to think they don't want us there. And it's not that, it's just that six-month time lapse where the shops are waiting to be able to say it's not selling so let's stop stocking it. We've got to encourage them."

"I'll go into Boots at Heathrow Airport if I've forgotten my make-up bag or something and there isn't even a picture of a black woman. I hate that."

But Boots has insisted they strive to meet the needs of all their customers.

"It is disappointing when we hear our customers feel we can't meet their beauty needs, as many of the beauty brands available in store and on boots.com offer a range of products for black skin," a spokesman said.