Nykhor Paul is tired of white makeup artists not getting it right when it comes to darker skintones.

On a recent Instagram post, she wrote, “Dear white people in the fashion world! Please don’t take this the wrong way but it’s time you people get your $hit right when it comes to our complexion! Why do I have to bring my own makeup to a professional show when all the other white girls don’t have to do anything but show up wtf! Don’t try to make me feel bad because I am blue black! It’s 2015, go to Mac, Bobbi Brown, Makeup forever, Iman cosmetic, black opal, even Lancôme and Clinique carried them plus so much more.”

She continues, “… There’s so much options [out] there for dark skin tones today. A good makeup artist would come [prepared] and do [their] research before coming to work because often time you know what to expect especially at a show! Stop apologizing it’s insulting and disrespectful to me and my race it doesn’t help, seriously! Make an effort at least! That goes for NYC, London, Milan, Paris and Cape Town plus everywhere else that have issues with black skin tones.”

” Just because you only book a few of us doesn’t mean you have the right to make us look ratchet. I’m tired of complaining about not getting booked as a black model and I’m definitely super tired of apologizing for my blackness!!!! Fashion is art, art is never racist it should be inclusive of all not only white people, shit we started fashion in Africa and you modernize and copy it! Why can’t we be part of fashion fully and equally?”

Well, shots fired! I also wonder: when will the fashion world get it? When will the catwalks and front rows stop being so exceedingly white washed?

I certainly sympathize with her plight. Makeup artists (and hairstylists) should know how to do a whole range of skin tones and hair styles. It’s sad that this continues to be an issue in fashion and worldwide.
What do you think?