The Insufferable Whiteness of Hollywood Hair & Make-up Crews

In 2019, when some Black actors —  together with Natasha Rothwell, Gabrielle Union, and Tiffany Haddish — first began actually talking up in bigger numbers concerning the irritating hair and make-up experiences they’ve had on tv and movie units, their tales rekindled some disagreeable recollections for me. 

From 2007 to 2011, I used to be a magnificence editor at Glamour, and infrequently invited to press occasions at salons the place complimentary blowouts have been on supply. However I often declined the service: I knew very nicely that it was unlikely there can be a stylist obtainable with the abilities to work with my hair — I’ve a tightly coiled texture and it was pure, however on the time, I wore it straight. Often, I might ask a publicist prematurely if the salon may accommodate my texture, and the reply was all the time “after all!” Then I arrived for the appointment. I may all the time inform by the nervous smile of my assigned stylist as they walked towards me… they hardly ever had a Black shopper of their chair. 

Throughout these periods, the stylist would do their greatest to undertaking complete confidence (which I may see proper by means of). I might cope by making well mannered dialog to masks my deep discomfort. It was traumatic sitting in that chair, hoping for the very best, however quietly anticipating the worst. I might suppose to myself, why on earth did I join this? I assume I wished to consider that possibly, simply this as soon as, I may get my hair achieved at a luxurious salon totally free and issues would end up okay. 

As a substitute, these moments have been awkward, the alternative of pampering and definitely not stress-free. I must gently instruct the skilled behind me with out offending them after which fake to love the outcomes. I by no means requested for an advanced model or reduce — I simply wished a blowout. However there’s an artwork to straightening pure hair and sadly, on multiple event, I left the salon with an embarrassing, poufy hairdo, when poufiness was not the purpose.

I often opted out of the free make-up software presents, too. They typically went roughly just like the blowouts. On this case, I would stroll out with unflattering make-up as a result of the make-up artist didn’t have the suitable shades for my brown pores and skin tone or did not know which eye shadow or lipstick colours would look greatest. 

It is no secret that mid-level magnificence editors do not receives a commission large salaries, however these complimentary companies are one of many advantages that make up for that. It bothered me that though I used to be working my ass off, I used to be lacking out on the perks that my lighter-skinned, wavier-haired colleagues loved on a regular basis. However at the very least I did not have to fret about being photographed or filmed. I might simply wipe off the make-up after I bought dwelling or redo my hair the following day. After I was at Glamour, Instagram hadn’t blown up but. If I have been nonetheless in that job immediately, although, my grievances can be exacerbated by the truth that there’s an expectation to submit selfies in spite of everything these occasions.