First Black British Victoria's Secret Angel Has To Redo Her Own Hair And Makeup Because Professionals Don't Know How To Work With Her Skin Tone
Leomie Anderson has been modeling since she was first scouted in London at 14. And by the time she was 17, she was walking the runway for Marc Jacobs.
Since then, Leomie has enjoyed a prosperous career and even became Victoria's Secret's first black British angel. But despite all of her success, Leomie says that her job is still significantly affected by her skin color.
In October 2021, Leomie shared a video on her TikTok demonstrating how her hair and makeup artists were entirely unprepared to work with her hair type and skin tone. So much so that Leomie had to redo her entire face of makeup herself before stepping out on the runway at New York Fashion Week.
Leomie explained that first, a makeup artist applied the wrong color foundation. Then another artist attempted to fix it but failed.
The stunning model said she felt "ugly AF," so she redid her own makeup in 10 minutes before walking out on stage. But that wasn't all - Leomie's hair was also handled roughly, and it took three stylists just to get it dry and styled.
Leomie says the experience left her feeling disheartened. She begged for fashion houses to make more effort in hiring stylists suited to working with black people.
Beautiful Leomie Anderson has been modeling since she was first scouted in London at 14.
By the time she was 17, she was walking the runway for Marc Jacobs.
But despite all of her success, Leomie says that her job is still significantly affected by her skin color.
In October 2021, Leomie shared a video on her TikTok demonstrating how her hair and makeup artists were entirely unprepared to work with her hair type and skin tone.
"I look like I work in the mines."
Leomie explained that first, a makeup artist applied the wrong color foundation. Then another artist attempted to fix it but failed.
Leomie's hair was also handled roughly, and it took three stylists just to get it dry and styled.
"Was told to wash my hair, no one dried it until last min."
The stunning model said she felt "ugly AF," so she redid her own makeup in 10 minutes before walking out on stage.
Leomie says the experience left her feeling disheartened.
She begged for fashion houses to make more effort in hiring stylists suited to working with black people.
And Leomie isn't alone in her experience.
Women of color everywhere started replying to Leomie's posts with their personal stories.
"It's giving hate crime."
"Brows were horrible."
"I've only felt pretty on set a couple of times."
"I felt so ugly and hideous."
Here's how people reacted.
"This the bs that makes a lot of us quit."
"I just don't get it."
"Tragic."
"The problem is beauty schools."
"It amazes me."
"People are different."
"Shouldn't you be trained to style all types of hair and skin tones?"
"They should pay her what a makeup artist and hair stylist would earn."
"This should not be happening."
Sadly, Leomie's story is far from out of the ordinary. During Paris Fashion Week in 2017, model Londone Myers shared a similar experience, and model Ashley Chew even created the hashtag #BlackModelsMatter.
However, on a more positive note, it was reported that New York Fashion Week Spring 2022 was one of the most diverse seasons ever. In fact, 55.5% of the models involved were of color.
Even so, it's clear that there is still a lot of room for improvement in the fashion industry when it comes to ethnic diversity. Here's hoping that things will only improve from here!
