Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Black Model Reduced To Tears After Clueless Makeup Artist Uses White Foundation On Her Skin

Black model given white foundation makeup
@megan.malin/TikTok

New York Fashion Week model Megan Milan shared her frustration after a makeup artist who didn't know how to put makeup on Black skin ended up making her 'look like a ghost.'

We were told in some children's books that people and animals come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and that each should be celebrated equally.

But until very recently, that sentiment was not reflected well in the makeup industry at all.


During 2023 New York Fashion Week, Black model Megan Milan was excited to get ready for a busy day of back-to-back photoshoots. But her excitement was ruined when the makeup artist working with her used concealer and foundation that would be far more appropriate on a fair White person.

Milan started recording a video, showing herself with white-cast skin and thick makeup.

The makeup artist gestured to the highlighted areas of her face and said:

"See, it's light here and dark here. I think it looks good."

Milan looked at the makeup artist, clearly emotional and over the situation, and said:

"Yeah, I look like a ghost."

The end of the video showed Milan on a voice call with a friend, and she could be seen crying in her preview shot.

You can watch the video here:

@megan.milan

I normally bring my own foundation just incase but i let my guard down. Plus i didnt want to carry a makeup bag all day, this was my first job of the day 😭. I had to go ti Sephora, do my own makeup then come back 😀. #nyfw #modelproblems #blackmodels #blackmodelsmatter

Fellow TikTokers came running to the video to show their support of Milan, standing against what the makeup artist had done.

@megan.malin/TikTok

@megan.malin/TikTok

@megan.malin/TikTok

@megan.malin/TikTok

@megan.malin/TikTok

@megan.malin/TikTok

@megan.malin/TikTok

@megan.malin/TikTok

After multiple requests to see what Milan was going to do about the situation, she shared a follow-up video.

In her second video, Milan shared a quick recap of what had happened before cutting over to her walking down a New York City sidewalk, hurrying over to her nearest Sephora.

The model vented:

"I'm on my way to Sephora, right in the middle of a [fashion ]shoot."

Upon arriving at Sephora, Milan asked a few employees if they had makeup wipes she could use to clear her face of the mismatched makeup.

While cleaning up, Milan confided:

"I'm just so irritated. I'm so tired. I barely got any sleep. I have another shoot after this."
"It's just frustrating that we have to deal with this all the f**king time."
"Like, if you didn't know how to do a Black woman's makeup, why did you do that? You guys knew what I looked like before I came. So rude. Like, why am I at Sephora, doing my own makeup?"

Milan also explained that she usually carried some of her own makeup with her, like her correct foundation shade, but she "let her guard down," thinking that the makeup artists hired for New York Fashion Week would be better prepared.

She also, quite reasonably, didn't want to have to carry her makeup bag around with her all day long, as this was only the first event in a very packed day.

Fortunately, at the end of the video, Milan showed that she was able to pull her look together while at Sephora.

"You can't even tell I just had an entire breakdown."

To top that beautiful look off, Milan also had the opportunity to work with makeup artist Donni Davy, known best for her artistic work on Euphoria. She completed Milan's already stunning new look with eye shadow, blush, and lip color.

Most importantly, Megan Milan was obviously feeling much more comfortable and happy at the end of the video.

You can watch the second video here:

@megan.milan

Replying to @Stace Funny how life works 💗 #nyfw #blackmodel #donnidavy #euphoria

TikTok was relieved on Milan's account and found her second look to be absolutely stunning.

@megan.malin/TikTok

@megan.malin/TikTok

@megan.malin/TikTok

@megan.malin/TikTok

@megan.malin/TikTok

@megan.malin/TikTok

And Donni Davy was clearly rooting for her.

@megan.malin/TikTok

The Euphoria makeup artist also went on to post her own video in response to Milan's initial dilemma video, encouraging new makeup artists to always be thoroughly prepared for any clients who walk through the door.

Not only did she challenge them to carry a variety of shade ranges, but she wanted them to know that they might need to mix and concoct unique shades from time to time.

She also pointed out that makeup artists are going to "f**k up" from time to time, and it's better to own that and redo the look than to try to convince a client that their look "looks good" when they actually agree that they "look like a ghost."

You can watch the video here:

@donni.davy

Replying to @megan.milan calling all makeup artists, let’s come correct to work! Sharing some of my fave complexion palettes that are staples in my kit. @maccosmetics @makeupforever

Like any other profession, we're all going to have moments when we make a mistake and have to redo the project that we're working on.

This might be especially true for makeup artists, who are working with a living person's look. Not only is every person's shade going to be somewhat different, but it might vary based on their summer tan, a bad cold they're getting over, or an acne flare-up!

The best thing to do is to admit that something went wrong, redo it, and get it right the second time.

More from Trending

Cover of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

People's Response To Merriam-Webster's 2024 Word Of The Year Just Proved Their Point

Merriam-Webster dictionary nailed it with their 2024 Word of the Year selection that accurately defined the divisive reaction to the 2024 presidential election results.

The dictionary's account on X (formerly Twitter) declared this year's Word of the Year was, "Polarization," and joked:

Keep ReadingShow less
Nancy Mace
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Nancy Mace Rages After Nobody Will Print Her Transphobic Holiday Wrapping Paper Design

South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace was called out after sharing a photo of her anti-trans wrapping paper design to lament that "no company" would print it due to its "offensive" nature.

Mace, who has courted significant controversy for her efforts to bar Sarah McBride, the first transgender member of Congress, from using the bathroom that corresponds with her gender identity, shared on social media that she attempted to create custom wrapping paper, seemingly intended for raising campaign funds.

Keep ReadingShow less
Eugenio Derbez; Selena Gomez
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images, Amy Sussman/Getty Images

'Coda' Star Apologizes After Selena Gomez's Classy Response To His 'Emilia Pérez' Criticism

Actor Eugenio Derbez walked back his harsh review of Selena Gomez's Spanish in the new musical crime comedy film Emilia Pérez after she responded with class to the tough criticism of not being a fluent speaker.

Gomez stars as Spanish-speaking character Jessi Del Monte, the wife of a cartel kingpin who undergoes gender-affirming surgery to start a new life as the titular Emilia Pérez.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Donald Trump
NBC

Trump Dragged After Claiming He 'Started Using' The Word 'Groceries' During The Election

President-elect Donald Trump was dragged after claiming he "started using" the word "groceries" during the election—before asking, "Who uses the word?"

Trump, in an interview with Meet the Press host Kristen Welker, emphasized the soaring grocery prices affecting millions of Americans as a pivotal factor in his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the race for the White House.

Keep ReadingShow less
man pointing up
Alex Sheldon on Unsplash

People Break Down Their 'I F*cking Knew It!' Experiences

Sometimes you feel like you just know something is true, even if you can't prove it.

You may find out you're completely wrong. People usually don't like to talk about or acknowledge when that happens.

Keep ReadingShow less