Makeup Artist Danessa Myricks Is Shining a Spotlight on Her Favorite Black Models

Danessa Myricks is one of the most celebrated makeup artists in the beauty industry, so it's no surprise how highly esteemed her eponymous makeup brand, Danessa Myricks Beauty, has become in the three short years since it launched. The collection has received even more attention lately thanks to a recent and long-overdue push to support Black-owned brands, and Myricks is gratefully paying it forward by using her platform — an Instagram account with more than 435,000 followers — to recognize some of her favorite Black models.

On Friday, June 5, Myricks shared a post to her Instagram grid with a caption reading, "Spotlighting the beauty and talent of models who have helped me tell my brand story in the most beautiful and exquisite ways." The photos, taken by Myricks herself (she's also an accomplished photographer), feature the gorgeous Florence Baitio and O'neka Thomas-Francisco wearing bold, radiant makeup looks created with Myricks's products.

This wasn't just a one-day celebration, however. Myricks followed up her first post with another tribute, this time to four more models — Mamé Adjei, Aïssata Diallo, Anhkti Lovell, and Khadija Shari — along with a prompt inviting her followers to tag their favorite Black models in the comments.

Myricks has since shared a third post "shining a light on the melanated magic" of models Mame Anta Wade, Jalicia Nightengale, Shanya McLeary, Mearg Tareke, and Deb Falke. 

"I understand fully what it feels like to not be seen and worse not to see yourself represented in beauty," Myricks writes in the caption. "I vowed that if given an opportunity I would use my voice to tell a different story. I hope that through my product development, makeup artistry and photography, you have been able to feel my passion, hear my voice and see the beauty in all skin tones."

Whether or not Myricks continues this Instagram series, we hope it inspires others — not just the leaders of Black-owned brands — to increase the visibility and celebrate the stunning beauty of Black models.

More on Black models:

• Winnie Harlow Says Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Are Still Failing Black Models
• Adut's World: The Supermodel’s Skyrocketing Success in Fashion Is Only Half Her Story
• Model Mamé Adjei Shares the Daily Beauty Routine That Helps Her Focus and Relax

Now check out modeling lessons from Duckie Thot:

Follow Marci on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to Allure's newsletter for daily beauty stories delivered right to your inbox.