Celebrity make-up artist Roxanne Floyd

Amber Magazine reported that make-up artist to the stars, Roxanne Floyd, passed away from unknown causes on January 28, 2010.

Ms. Floyd was well known for her amazing make-up work on African American actresses, singers and models, and helped to usher in the eyebrow-trend, especially among women-of-color.

Unlike most make-up artists, Ms. Floyd did not find (and mix) colors to create complimentary shades for the complex hues and shades of Black women. Hollywood often had only one color for Black women, and that was Max Factor’s “Light Egyptian,” which was actually created to “darken” white actors. (Lena Horne took a screen test for the 1951 film “Showboat,” but was overlooked for her then-friend Ava Gardner, who the studio’s “blackened up” with the Max Factor color.) The cosmetics industry didn’t truly change until the 1970′s when quality cosmetics for women-of-color were created by the late-Naomi Sims.

Ms. Floyd is probably best known for the lush-hued pout and striking eyes that singer Lauryn Hill sported for her multiple Grammy Award-winning album, The Mis-Education of Lauryn Hill.

Roxanne Floyd also created the signature look for Essence magazine covers and layouts including ones featuring Halle Berry, Queen Latifah, Angela Bassett and others.

The cause of Ms. Floyd’s death is unknown. Ms. Floyd is survived by her husband Rick Ramos, and her mother Alberta “Bertha” Floyd.

Read more at Amber Magazine