Model Leomie Anderson is adding to the countless stories of lack of diversity within the model industry in hair and makeup.
In her video, she said the life of a black model is doing other people’s jobs and not getting paid for it.
According to the Daily Mail Leomie Anderson, 28, who was born in London to Jamaican parents, shared a behind-the-scenes video at the Christian Cowan Show at New York Fashion Week, which she walked in last month.
In the clip, which has racked up more than 250,000 views Leomie revealed she always carries a full make-up kit with her as ‘trash’ make-up artists left her looking ‘clapped’ – a slang term meaning ugly.
In the video, called ‘the realities of being a black model during fashion week’ the model shares a clip of her make-up being done adding the caption: ‘I asked who could do black make-up, why do I look like I work in the mines?’.
She went on to say she looked ‘clapped’ as she shared footage of herself taking her make-up off adding the caption: ‘I told him it wasn’t my colour, he is trash’.
Leomie then said hairdressers were ‘hurting her’ as she posted a clip adding she was told to wash her hair.
‘No one dried it until the last minute,’ she went on, before adding another make-up artist tried to fix her make-up.
‘Good try girl but felt ugly af,’ she said. ‘Redid my whole face in 10 minutes, can’t go out sad’.
Sharing stunning photos of her walking down the runway, Leomie added: ‘By the time I walked the runway I wanted to go home’.
‘Please hire more black hair and make-up artists so we don’t have to go through this.’
Watch below:
@leomieanderson And this is why I carry a full makeup kit wherever I go for work #blackmodel #modellife #modeltok #blackmakeup #fyp #leomieanderson
♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
Leomie has previously walked for Ralph Lauren, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Giorgio Armani, Burberry and Chloe among others and was the first-ever black model to become a Victoria Secret Angel.
She’s has spoken about the difficulties black models face in the industry, telling the Guardian in May: ‘There are more opportunities for black models today.
When I started it was an isolating experience, you really felt alone. But often the motivation of brands or companies is tokenism, or the fear of being called out.
Ticking a diversity box isn’t good enough. That’s presentation, not structural change.
‘Black women are asked to do a lot of free labor, to speak up on everything. Some days I don’t feel like it. I’m a human being, not a machine, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care. ‘
In 2016, Leomie blasted make-up artists for busying themselves with beautifying ‘blonde white girls’ while she’s forced to bring her own cosmetics.
In a series of Twitter posts she wrote: ‘We need more make-up and hair artists who are competent with all races backstage at shows,’
‘Of course I get given to the make-up artist who had ONE brown foundation she was trying to mix with white on a sly because she’s not equipped,’ she wrote
‘Had to ask her straight: “Do you have foundation for my skin tone?”. My girl started sweating and said: “I like to mix brands”.
‘B**** you’re doing foundation cocktail. trying to even get ONE of my tones correct. What about the rest?’
‘Why is it that the black makeup artists are busy with blonde white girls and slaying their makeup and I have to supply my own foundation?’ she asked.
‘Why is there more white makeup artists backstage than black when black ones can do ALL races’ makeup? Why can a white model confidently sit in anyone’s chair and feel confident they’ll look okay, but black models have to worry?’
Twitter reactions
Leomie shared her video to Twitter and women began to share similar stories as well as opinions:
????????? https://t.co/30R1Lx92Y0
— l. anderson (@Leomie_Anderson) October 25, 2021
and
Iman started her own makeup line in 94 bc she was tired of getting to set & no one having foundation for her. It’s infuriating that Black talent are still dealing with this when so many shades are available & makeup artists should know how to do ALL SKIN TYPES https://t.co/vCj6hBY9dM
— Franchesca Ramsey (@chescaleigh) October 25, 2021
and
This is just disgusting.
You are not a makeup artist if you can’t do makeup on dark skin and you are not a hairstylist if you can take care of kinky hair textures especially 4c hair period. This shit is ridiculous. https://t.co/rExAXBdGmL— ?????? ????????? ??? ?????. (@BlackGirICinema) October 25, 2021
and
black models be some of the most stunning influential faces in fashion & im tired of makeup artists makin them look like down & out tim burton extras. https://t.co/mIkmMnqaJw
— Coochie Seasoning?? (@bbychakra) October 25, 2021
and
All that “diversity, inclusion and listening and learning” from last year, didn’t work huh? https://t.co/ma4OWy1Iis
— Shelton Boyd-Griffith (@flyrebel) October 24, 2021
and
There is literally no excuse for not having black make up artists and hair stylists on set/behind the scenes in the year of our Lord 2021. They are EVERYWHERE. https://t.co/pwQDQoAsnP
— ✨Kyler Stan✨ (@KylerStans) October 24, 2021
Baffeling!
