Connect with us

Celebrity Coverage

MAC Celebrates 40 Years with Black Women – Essence

Published

on

Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images

Since 1984 MAC Cosmetics has a unbroken influence on the black community, providing us with essential tools and a variety of shades.

Think: their annual Glamour Ball VIVA— which has welcomed glam-clad guests like Mary J. Blige, Eve, Fantasia, Diana Ross, and more. Additionally, with its backstage presence at fashion weeks over time, with supermodels Naomi Campbell and Iman, MAC has proven to be accountable for the makeup behind a few of the biggest beauty moments in popular culture history — including Lil’ Kim’s archival metallic lipstick.

MAC Celebrates 40 Years with Black Women
VIVA GLAM III Ambassador Lil Kim poses with models kissing on the lips at Mr. Chow restaurant in New York City. (Photo by Steve Eichner/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Now, as we have fun their fortieth anniversary during Fashion Week (where the brand will sponsor shows by Area, Kim Shui and Luar), we glance back on the legacy they built for black women.

“I think the brand, more than ever, is still rooted in what made MAC special from the beginning,” Aïda Moudachirou-Rebois, senior vice chairman and general manager of MAC, tells ESSENCE. “Artistry, inclusivity, culture… that was the heart of the brand, so that we could help people in our community who needed it the most.”

Despite the noise and competition in a saturated industry, MAC has remained the loudest within the room—largely due to its ability to take heed to its community. That means internally, too.

For MAC makeup professionals, Romero JenningsBeing with a brand for nearly 30 years means being heard. “I feel like I helped build and sustain that brand all those years ago,” he says. “Now, a lot of brands would say it’s on, but we had it from the beginning, which is why we had such a huge following of Black and brown people back then.”

MAC Celebrates 40 Years with Black Women
American actor and recording artist RuPaul (left) and Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter KD Lang attend a MAC Cosmetics event in 1996. (Rose Hartman/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

Jennings recalls women from Harlem and the Bronx visiting MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation because no other brand had their shade. “A lot of people would say it was their first time doing makeup because before you had to mix or the colors weren’t right or they were too light,” says Jennings, as a powdered Grace Jones and the Prince.

Meanwhile, lip pencils developed firstly, we use them to at the present time (as Uche Natorifavorite shade chestnut) alongside the lipsticks we crave like CD 96, gave black women the representation they deserve.

(*40*)MAC Celebrates 40 Years with Black Women
Diana Ross attends the MAC Icon Collection Launch on the MAC Beverly Hills store on the MAC Beverly Hills store in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo: SGranitz/WireImage for MAC Cosmetics)

Beyond products, MAC has built initiatives to support its teams and customers from inside. From participating in Black Beauty List to investing in funds, grants and creating internal secure spaces like Black At MAC and MAC Movement, the brand’s foundation is rooted not only in culture but in addition in influence. “We don’t have a ‘one size fits all’ approach because that’s kind of performative and a box-ticking thing,” says Moudachirou-Rebois.[We’re] “we really continue to strive to elevate culture in all its nuances.”

With 22% of MAC customers identifying as black (in comparison with the common 8% of U.S. luxury beauty consumers), the brand’s future is in our hands. “We don’t like to think of ourselves as a makeup brand, but as a cultural brand,” she says. “We have a responsibility to that consumer to really meet their needs.”

MAC Celebrates 40 Years with Black Women
Missy Elliott attends the launch of Mac Cosmetics’ Viva Glam V on the Ace Gallery in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo: Sylvain Gaboury/FilmMagic)


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Celebrity Coverage

Judith Jamison’s iconic moments of beauty and dance – the essence

Published

on

By

Getty Images

Judith Jamison, American dancer and former artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, died over the weekend at the age of 81. According to Christopher Zunner, Ailey’s spokesman, announced that Jamison died Saturday in New York after a brief illness surrounded by close friends.

Jamison began studying ballet at the age of six at the Judimar School of Dance. After years of dedication and practice, she joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1965. There, for 15 years in a row, she became one of the most eminent soloists.

After her time there, she appeared as a guest dancer with various ballet corporations and on Broadway. Ultimately, Jamison returned to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as artistic director, a position she held for 21 years and was later promoted to creative director emeritus.

Not only was she an icon on stage and in her choreography, but she was also a source of inspiration with timeless beauty. Her first performance of the legendary song “Revelations” was in 1970, when she rocked wing eyeliner, daring eye shadow and long eyelashes. She then traveled to the UK in 1973 to perform at their Alvin Ailey studio, wearing natural hair and no makeup. The dancer wore a head wrap with minimal makeup the following yr at the New York premiere.

In 1978, she performed Ailey’s legendary dance “Cry” along with her natural hair – which he choreographed in honor of his mother and dedicated to black women. In 1979, she played Carola Polakov Resort, showing off her natural chocolate skin in Ready to Wear Advance. In her Broadway debut, she played the lead in Sophisticated Ladies, wearing red lipstick, eyeliner and long eyelashes. Fast forward to 2018, Jamison attended Black Girls Rock 2018 wearing striking eyeliner and a bald head to just accept the Living Legend Award.

And he’s an everlasting legend. We are endlessly grateful for Jamison’s work and inspiration through various mediums. Her legacy will survive. Below, to have a good time Jamison’s beautiful life, a compilation of some of her most inspiring beauty moments over the years.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading

Celebrity Coverage

Young, talented and winning: Coco Gauff becomes youngest WTA Finals champion in 20 years with historic victory – Essence

Published

on

By

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – NOVEMBER 09: Coco Gauff of the United States poses with the Billie Jean King trophy after defeating Qinwen Zheng of China in the singles final on the last day of the WTA Finals in Riyadh as a part of the Hologic WTA Tour 2024 at King Saud University Arena, November 9 2024 in Riyad, Saudi Arabia (photo by Robert Obrazy Prange/Getty)

Coco Gauffstar power just reached a brand new level. In a 12 months in which she established herself as one of the crucial dynamic forces in tennis, she wrapped up her tally in historic style.

Gauff once more made history by becoming the youngest player in twenty years to win the celebrated WTA Finals held in Riyad, Saudi Arabia (the last feat was achieved by Maria Sharapova in 2004). In a season characterised by determination, resilience and record-breaking performances, the 20-year-old defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen in a tough-fought three-set match.

In addition to winning the WTA Finals, she has now won the largest single prize in WTA history – a staggering $4.8 million, in response to Tennis Channel. After she secured victory, Gauff reflected on the record-breaking nature of her victory. “I asked (about the record) right after I received the match,” she said. “Was he the youngest? This must be some kind of record.”

Reflecting on the milestone, she added: “It’s pretty cool. “It just goes to show that age is a number in both cases, old and young.”

WTA Finals victory builds on the momentum Gauff has built in 2023 first Grand Slam victory on the US Opencementing her rapid ascent in the tennis world. For fans who’ve followed her since she burst onto the scene at age 15, Gauff’s rise has been a masterclass in patience, determination and learning from failure. Her victory in the WTA Finals was not a straight path; in her last match, she lost the primary set before coming back with the tenacity she is thought for and ultimately securing the 2024 WTA title.

Out of court, Gauff spoke openly concerning the labor and mental strength it took to get up to now. Surrounded by a robust support system, she is quick to understand her team and family – those that have been by her side because the starting of her journey. She knows her victories reverberate off the court and she welcomes the responsibility, seeing her success as a chance to encourage and uplift.

While her recent victories have been monumental, this appears to be the start of an extended and promising journey – one in which Gauff may redefine what it means to be a tennis star. For Gauff, that is only the start.


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading

Celebrity Coverage

Jason Lee from “Hollywood Unlocked” wins the bid for California city hall

Published

on

By

Jason Lee, Politics


On November 5, celebrity blogger and reality star Jason Lee was elected to the Stockton, California, city council. Lee ran for the District 6 seat, defeating Vice Mayor Kimberly Warmsly.

Lee posted a celebratory message on Instagram thanking voters and emphasizing his commitment to improving the Stockton community.

“I am deeply honored to have earned the support and trust of my neighbors, my hometown voters, and you.”

“Now I begin the work of creating safer and stronger communities, improving our quality of life and charting our next chapter,” he said.

According to . He moved out of the city in his youth and has been traveling around the world ever since. Still, Lee believes the city government isn’t doing a satisfactory job of caring for the community.

“I just grew up in south Stockton I knew my friends were there (and) my grandmother was there. We had a good time and then there were funerals,” Lee said. “Unfortunately, until I left South Stockton and saw the world, I didn’t really understand how South Stockton had been neglected for decades…I’m not saying there wasn’t some work, but there wasn’t much of it.”

Lee says running for office reminds him of his life before entertainment.

“Running for office reminded me of when I worked for the Union for 11 years at SEIU. It’s really purposeful work,” Lee states. “But being able to help people in my community where I grew up, where my family still lives and where I returned is the most important thing to me. This is my passion.”

The newly elected city councilor showed that he is not going to give in to pressure and is able to defend his beliefs in business. Recently, Lee became famous after his clash with music mogul Jay-Z.

Following the allegations against music executive Sean “P Diddy” Combs, Lee opened up about the power of Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s alleged transgressions.

The podcast host claims that Jay-Z’s associates continuously contact him and he is not going to be intimidated by threats.

“JAY-Z, I know you’re watching because people are calling me. Stop having people call me. You can call me yourself, you know how to get my number. People call me. Call me yourself because this is going to go viral over here,” Lee said.

“I will tell you the audience that if I do go missing, all the calls I get are about him,” he continued.

Congratulations to Lee on his recent political journey.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending