Nigerian Makeup Artist, Joy Adenuga Reacts to Nykhor Paul’s Statement on “Apologizing for her Blackness” & Racism

A few days ago, South-Sudanese model, Nykhor Paul, went on a little rant on Instagram calling out international makeup artists and the fashion industry in general for their lack of respect and attention to black models like herself. She was particular about being asked to bring her own makeup for runway shows and shoots, because the makeup artists would say they didn’t have their shade. And now she is definitely tired of apologizing for her blackness (Click here if you missed it).

Now, BBC has reached out to London-based Nigerian makeup artist, Joy Adenuga, to comment on the topic and share her views on Nykhor’s statement, and what she thinks the makeup artists and designers in question did wrong.

According to Joy;

“From my own experience, when I did a fashion show I think on 2 occasions, they did provide us (with makeup), but when you go there sometimes the shades they provide you is not enough. But I think it is my responsibility, not even looking at the designers, to like whatever model sits on my chair, I should be able to make her up, green, blue, purple whatever colour she is cause as a makeup artist you are trained to work on a number of a variety of skin tones.“

“For most fashion shoots, they send you like a mood board so you know who the models are. In regards that as a makeup artist, when I go for any fashion shoot, my kit serves to anybody because there might be changes; the model that is being booked for their shoot can call in sick and they send a replacement. So whoever they send for a replacement no matter the skin colour she is I should be able to cater to without telling her ‘oh sorry, can you tell her that when she’s leaving her house can she bring her foundation since she is black’.“

Listen to more excerpts from the interview below;

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Sound of BellaNaijarians. What is your stand on this?

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Jason Carter Rinaldi | MINC