Black Celebs Who Called Out Colorist Makeup Artists on Instagram Live

Makeup artistry in Hollywood has long suffered from a significant lack of diversity and inclusion regarding darker skin tones. Many Black celebrities have utilized social media platforms like Instagram Live to share their frustrating experiences with ill-equipped beauty professionals. These stars are demanding change by highlighting the negligence they face in the makeup chair on various sets. Their stories reveal a systemic issue where professionals are not trained to work with all complexions. This list highlights fifty individuals who have spoken up about these beauty industry disparities.

Leomie Anderson

This Victoria’s Secret model has frequently used her platform to expose the lack of preparedness among backstage beauty teams. She famously documented the limited foundation shades available in a professional kit during a show. Her videos highlighted how she often has to finish her own makeup because artists cannot match her skin tone. Anderson continues to advocate for mandatory education on Afro-textured hair and dark skin for all industry professionals.

Jourdan Dunn

Dunn has been vocal about the difficulties she faces when makeup artists refuse to learn how to paint dark skin. She once tweeted about a makeup artist claiming they did not want to change her skin tone but actually making her look grey. The supermodel noted that she often observes the artist’s anxiety when they realize they do not have the right shades. Her experiences shed light on the disparity between top-tier modeling and the skills of the support teams.

Duckie Thot

After appearing on ‘Australia’s Next Top Model’, Thot faced severe bullying and mishandling of her skin and hair. She has used social media to discuss how she brings her own foundation to ensure she does not look washed out. Thot emphasizes that the industry has a long way to go before dark-skinned models are treated equally. She champions brands that prioritize inclusivity and calls out those who treat diversity as a trend.

Adut Akech

Akech has spoken openly about being made to look much lighter than her actual complexion in post-production and on set. She uses her platform to remind photographers and makeup artists that her dark skin is beautiful and does not need correcting. The model revealed that some artists create an ashy appearance by using products with the wrong undertones. Her advocacy focuses on respecting the natural beauty of South Sudanese models.

Precious Lee

Lee has challenged the industry standards for both size and skin tone throughout her career. She often discusses the intersection of colorism and sizeism in the fashion world on her social channels. The model noted that makeup artists often struggle to highlight her features without altering her natural shade. She demands that beauty teams be as versatile as the models they are hired to work with.

Keke Palmer

Palmer frequently uses Instagram Live to chat with fans about her experiences in Hollywood and the beauty industry. She has humorously yet pointedly critiqued the way some artists struggle to match her undertones on set. The actress believes that proper training should be a requirement rather than an option for union makeup artists. Her candor helps young fans understand that the issue lies with the artist and not their own skin.

Gabrielle Union

Union has shared stories about needing to advocate for herself when makeup artists wanted to make her look lighter. She explained that she had to learn to do her own face to survive early jobs in the industry. The actress often highlights how lighting and makeup go hand in hand to either ruin or support a performance. She encourages up-and-coming talent to speak up if they feel they are being misrepresented in the chair.

Taraji P. Henson

Henson has been in the industry for decades and has seen the slow progression of beauty inclusivity firsthand. She has used her platform to discuss the days when she had to mix her own foundations on set. The actress launched her own haircare line partially because of the lack of knowledge she encountered in the trailer. She remains a vocal advocate for hiring Black stylists and makeup artists for Black talent.

Kelly Rowland

Rowland has discussed how lighting and makeup artists often failed to capture her rich skin tone correctly. She recalled moments early in her career where she looked grey or washed out due to poor product choices. The singer uses social media to praise artists who get it right while critiquing the old guard. She inspires dark-skinned women to embrace their glow despite industry incompetence.

Viola Davis

Davis has been very open about the criticism she faced regarding her natural hair and dark skin. She revealed that makeup artists on sets earlier in her career would try to lighten her to make her more palatable. The Oscar winner stated that she no longer tolerates beauty teams that cannot enhance her natural melanin. Her confidence has forced the industry to pay better attention to lighting and makeup for dark complexions.

Lupita Nyong’o

Nyong’o slammed a magazine for airbrushing her hair and lightening her skin in a cover shoot. She used the moment to educate the public on the erasure of African features in mainstream media. The actress constantly reinforces that her dark skin is elegant and worthy of accurate representation. She challenges makeup artists to use products that celebrate rather than hide her deep complexion.

Zendaya

Although lighter-skinned, Zendaya has used her privilege to speak on the lack of diversity in beauty teams. She famously does her own makeup for red carpets because she trusts her own skills more than some professionals. The actress has stated that she wants to ensure she never looks orange or washed out in photos. Her decision to take control of her image highlights the general lack of trust talent has in provided artists.

Iman

The legendary supermodel started her own cosmetics line specifically because she was tired of mixing her own shades. She recounted stories of makeup artists asking her if she brought her own foundation to the job. Iman has used every platform available to shame the laziness of major cosmetic brands. Her legacy is built on the refusal to accept the excuse that dark shades do not sell.

Naomi Campbell

Campbell was one of the first global superstars to call out the racism she faced in the makeup chair. She has shared that she and other Black models had to share supplies because the artists only carried products for white models. The supermodel continues to demand that every fashion week backstage area be fully stocked for all skin tones. Her advocacy paved the way for the current conversation about accountability.

Tyra Banks

Banks has utilized her reality show and social media to discuss the trauma of bad makeovers. She recalled retiring from the runway partly due to the stress of dealing with hair and makeup teams who damaged her self-esteem. The mogul encourages models to learn their own faces so they can correct bad work when necessary. She remains a fierce critic of agencies that do not vet their creative teams properly.

Meagan Good

Good has addressed the criticism she received regarding her changing eyebrow shapes and skin appearance over the years. She explained that many times she was at the mercy of makeup artists who did not understand her aesthetic. The actress uses her social platforms to show her natural beauty and clear up rumors about bleaching. She emphasizes that poor makeup application can drastically alter how the public perceives a star.

Tika Sumpter

Sumpter has spoken about the importance of lighting and makeup for dark-skinned actresses in film and television. She noted that on some sets she appeared almost invisible because the crew did not know how to light her. The actress champions productions that hire diverse crews who understand the physics of lighting melanin. She often engages with fans who thank her for representing dark-skinned women beautifully on screen.

Yvette Nicole Brown

Brown has shared her struggles with finding makeup artists who can handle her complexion without making her look ashy. She often praises the specific artists who get it right while noting how rare they are. The actress engages with fans on Twitter and Instagram about the importance of speaking up in the chair. She believes that comfort in the makeup trailer is essential for a good performance.

Amber Riley

Riley has been vocal about the lack of options for Black women in both fashion and beauty. She used her time on various competition shows to highlight how different makeup teams handle her skin. The actress and singer encourages full-figured Black women to demand respect in all beauty spaces. She often posts glam shots that prove how stunning dark skin looks when done correctly.

Beverly Johnson

As the first Black model on the cover of ‘Vogue’, Johnson faced immense challenges with makeup artists. She has recounted having to do her own face because the professionals had no idea what to do with her. Johnson continues to speak on panels and social media about the slow pace of change. She reminds the industry that inclusivity should have happened decades ago.

Halle Berry

Berry has discussed how she used to mix multiple foundations to get a match during her early acting days. She noted that makeup artists would often leave a line of demarcation on her jawline. The actress celebrates the expansion of shade ranges but insists that technique is just as important as product. She supports younger actresses who are refusing to accept subpar treatment on set.

Queen Latifah

Latifah became a CoverGirl to ensure that women like her had representation and products that worked. She has spoken about the bad makeup jobs she endured on early sitcom sets. The icon uses her influence to push for more Black creatives behind the scenes in film and TV. She believes that executive decisions regarding hiring are the only way to fix the problem.

Angela Bassett

Bassett manages to look ageless but has still faced issues with makeup artists who do not understand mature Black skin. She often relies on her own trusted team rather than risking the studio-assigned artists. The actress speaks about the importance of hydration and skin prep which many artists skip on darker skin. Her consistency in looking flawless is a testament to her refusal to compromise.

Jennifer Hudson

Hudson has dealt with makeup artists who struggle to match her skin tone under bright stage lights. She has expressed frustration with looking different colors in various scenes due to inconsistency. The singer advocates for artists who understand how stage lighting interacts with deep melanin. She uses her social media to highlight the teams that successfully capture her beauty.

Octavia Spencer

Spencer has utilized her social platforms to thank the few makeup artists who know how to work with her complexion. She implied that for many years she had to settle for mediocre work that did not enhance her features. The Oscar winner supports diversity initiatives in Hollywood unions to bring in more talent. She wants to ensure that background actors also get quality attention.

Regina King

King has transitioned into directing and makes it a priority to hire competent makeup departments for her casts. She has spoken about her acting days where she felt neglected in the trailer. The director ensures that every actor on her set feels confident in their appearance before filming. She views proper makeup application as a basic sign of respect for the actor.

Tiffany Haddish

Haddish frequently jokes about her beauty struggles but is serious about the lack of skills in the industry. She has gone on Instagram Live to show the process of getting ready and the challenges involved. The comedian has called out artists who leave her looking grey or red on camera. She prefers to work with friends who understand her skin texture and tone.

Issa Rae

Rae created her own show partly to ensure that Black people were lit and painted correctly on screen. She has been very vocal about the “ashy” look that plagues many Black characters in other productions. The creator emphasizes that Black skin reflects light and needs specific products to look radiant. Her work has set a new standard for how Black actors should look on television.

Marsai Martin

Martin is the youngest executive producer in Hollywood and demands excellence for her cast. She has discussed how difficult it is to find makeup artists who know how to work with young Black skin without aging it. The actress uses social media to show off her fresh looks and credit her specific team. She is inspiring a new generation to demand quality from the start of their careers.

Skai Jackson

Jackson is very active in the beauty space and often reviews products on her social channels. She has called out brands that have limited shade ranges and artists who apply makeup too heavily. The young star advocates for a natural beat that enhances rather than masks. She is not afraid to name the struggles she faces as a young Black woman in the spotlight.

Normani

Normani has faced intense scrutiny and racism from fans and the industry alike. She has spoken about how makeup artists would often make her look entirely different from her group mates. The singer uses her platform to celebrate her dark skin and the artists who know how to make it pop. She refuses to be dimmed by an industry that often favors lighter complexions.

Ryan Destiny

Destiny is often praised for her deep skin tone but has shared that it was a struggle to find artists who appreciated it. She has used interviews and social posts to discuss the issue of colorism in casting and styling. The actress believes that the beauty industry has a responsibility to cater to all shades equally. She serves as a muse for many but reminds people of the work still needed.

Coco Jones

Jones has used her YouTube and Instagram to talk about the stalling of her career due to colorism. She explicitly mentioned how beauty standards affected the way she was marketed and styled. The singer advocates for dark-skinned women to be seen as soft and beautiful rather than just strong. Her transparency has resonated with thousands of fans facing similar issues.

SZA

SZA has expressed frustration with makeup artists who try to cover her freckles or alter her skin tone. She often does her own makeup or works with a very small circle of trusted creatives. The singer uses social media to show her natural skin texture and debunk the heavy makeup trends. She insists on maintaining her unique look despite industry pressure to conform.

Lizzo

Lizzo champions inclusivity and has called out the lack of options for plus-sized Black women. She frequently posts raw videos on Instagram discussing her beauty routine and the failures of set makeup. The singer demands that she be treated with the same glamour and care as thin, white pop stars. Her boldness forces people to confront their biases regarding beauty and body type.

Megan Thee Stallion

Megan often does her own makeup for music videos and appearances because she knows her face best. She has gone live to show her techniques and criticize the way others have painted her in the past. The rapper popularized the “hottie” aesthetic which celebrates bold and precise makeup application. She has proven that she can execute professional-level looks better than many hired artists.

Cardi B

Cardi B has been vocal about her Afro-Latina heritage and the specific needs of her skin and hair. She uses Instagram to blast makeup artists who show up late or unprepared. The rapper is known for firing team members who cannot deliver the high-glam look she requires. She believes that if she is paying top dollar then the service must be flawless.

La La Anthony

Anthony has transitioned from MTV VJ to actress and has seen the makeup industry evolve slowly. She has shared stories of having to correct her makeup in the bathroom before going on air. The star launched her own beauty initiatives to help bridge the gap for women of color. She continues to mentor younger talent on how to navigate the beauty politics of Hollywood.

Nia Long

Long has been a beauty icon for decades but still faces challenges with new makeup artists. She has spoken about the importance of undertones and how easily they can be misread. The actress maintains a youthful glow by being extremely picky about who touches her face. She advises women to know their own products in case they need to intervene.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Smith has used ‘Red Table Talk’ to discuss the complexities of Black beauty and hair. She has shared her own experiences with alopecia and the insensitivity of beauty teams. The actress advocates for a holistic approach to beauty that respects the health of the skin. She challenges the industry to look beyond surface-level fixes and understand the person.

Willow Smith

Willow has joined her mother in conversations about the exclusionary nature of the beauty industry. She often rejects traditional makeup standards in favor of artistic and experimental looks. The singer criticizes the pressure to look perfect and the lack of creativity often afforded to Black artists. She pushes for a definition of beauty that includes all forms of expression.

Amandla Stenberg

Stenberg has been a fierce advocate for intersectional feminism and beauty inclusivity. She has called out the industry for lightening her skin in promotional materials. The actress uses her platform to discuss how colorism affects the self-esteem of young Black girls. She refuses to work on projects that do not respect her natural appearance.

Yara Shahidi

Shahidi uses her influence to promote brands and artists that are genuinely inclusive. She has spoken about the “unibrow” movement and embracing natural features that society often rejects. The actress ensures that her contracts include stipulations for diverse hair and makeup teams. She sees beauty as a political tool for representation and equity.

Letitia Wright

Wright has discussed the importance of the makeup department on the set of ‘Black Panther’. She highlighted how rare it was to find a team that had the right foundations for everyone. The actress advocates for that level of care to be the standard across all Hollywood productions. She believes that feeling beautiful on set translates to a better performance.

Danai Gurira

Gurira has shaved her head and embraced deep skin beauty standards that challenge Hollywood norms. She has spoken about the freedom of not relying on hair and makeup to feel powerful. The actress and playwright pushes for narratives that celebrate dark-skinned women without fetishization. She demands that beauty teams honor the strength and elegance of her look.

Lashana Lynch

Lynch faced massive trolling after being cast in the 007 franchise but stood firm in her beauty and talent. She has discussed the need for makeup artists who can enhance her skin without masking it. The actress works to ensure that her character looks authentic and not whitewashed. She represents a new era of action stars who demand beauty equity.

Cynthia Erivo

Erivo has a distinct style and often calls out the industry for its narrow view of Black beauty. She has spoken about the difficulties of finding makeup artists who understand her bleached brows and skin tone. The actress uses red carpets to make bold statements that defy traditional expectations. She encourages others to take risks and demand the products they need.

We want to hear your stories about finding the right shade or dealing with makeup mishaps. Share your thoughts in the comments.