‘It’s UATL’ podcast: Makeup artist Nyssa Green explains Black love for Korean beauty products
In the beauty industry, Nyssa Green has seen it all.
With 15 years of experience doing makeup in TV and film, Green knows which trends are fleeting or here to stay. The Emmy-winning makeup artist owns Atlanta’s Green Room Agency. For two decades, she’s been watching the Korean cosmetics industry and its growing popularity with Black American consumers.
Though what’s dubbed as “K-beauty” is more abundant and nothing new to Black folks looking for good beauty care at a reasonable price, the relationship between makers and consumers is still a work in progress.
Even with Black consumers seeking out more long-term skincare options that are common with K-beauty, there’s a void.
Green says that’s clear when it comes to skin tone.
“What (the industry considers) dark is not, and you can tell they’re trying to walk that line of not being offensive, but they really just need to go in and understand that we already love the products. Just make the rest of it match us,” Green told “It’s UATL” co-hosts DeAsia Paige and Nedra Rhone.
Green sees the K-beauty movement as one that has a lasting impact. She tells the hosts, what needs to happen is more (industry) recognition of the Black dollar’s power in the industry.
“We’re doing better, but the fact that we’re still having these conversations, it boggles my mind,” Green said.
“The amount of money that brown people spend in the cosmetics and beauty industry is unrivaled and unmatched, but yet we’re still unmatched.”
This week’s episode
In other news, the hosts explain why media legend Oprah Winfrey was recently chatting up and snapping pics with a group of Morehouse College seniors. Dubbed “Auntie O” by students, Winfrey’s been putting kids through historically Black colleges and universities with her Oprah Winfrey Endowed Scholars Program since 1989.
On the more somber side of the headlines, city officials announced they’re launching an emergency review of Atlanta’s 404 Day celebration. The move comes weeks after 16-year-old Tianah Robinson was shot and killed at Piedmont Park. The hosts discuss why this is the right move for ATL.
Shifting gears here … Ever wonder what Shaq smells like? Oh, that’s just us? Well, everyone will have a chance to take a whiff of Eqlipse, an eau de toilette scent that sells for $55 at JCPenney from one of sport’s best pitchmen. Will the hosts be buying any bottles?
It’s safe to say that the hosts won’t be buying Klay Thompson jerseys anytime soon. The ladies break down reports that the NBA player and rapper Megan Thee Stallion broke up over the former allegedly cheating. The hosts discuss why this romantic fallout is taking up real estate in their minds.
Related reads from UATL and AJC
Follow the stories that inspired this week’s episode.
- What the K-beauty revolution reveals about the importance of inclusion
- Oprah surprises Morehouse students with weekend visit
- 404 Day event under review
- What does Shaq smell like? Now you can find out with his new fragrance.
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Roll credits
“It’s UATL” comes from DeAsia Paige, Nedra Rhone, Najja Parker, Isabelle Kerby-McGowan, Cara Shillenn, Gavin Godfrey, Mara Davis, Shane Backler, Roy Williams, Matt Gannon, Kishuna Joseph, Keith Lovely Jr., Megan Nadolski, Samantha Stamler and Janel Davis.
About the Author
Gavin Godfrey is an editor and Team Lead for UATL, the AJC's Black culture franchise. He's an award-winning writer and editor from Atlanta who's covered everything from OutKast to the water boys. Before joining the AJC, Gavin worked for Capital B Atlanta, CNN, and Creative Loafing.