Doesn’t it feel like Issa Rae is suddenly everywhere this year? I mean that in a good way. The first season of Insecure was well-liked, but the second season has gone next-level, possibly because it aired after Game of Thrones. Also possible: HBO made a smart decision to let the show finds its audience organically, and HBO didn’t panic when the first season was seen as programming for more of a “niche market.” The second season of Insecure though… like, even my mom was watching it. When older white women/retired teachers know Issa Rae and Insecure, you know Issa has made it. Which is why Issa is leaning into her fame this year and really working a more glamorous image, on and off the show. Issa Rae has been named the newest “face” of CoverGirl. This is amazing news! Issa released a statement about it:
“My character is ever-evolving, and makeup is a tool to help transform my persona – whether for a role I play in content that I produce, or the different roles I take on in my life. Becoming a CoverGirl means a lot because the brand recognizes just how important it is for people to embrace their individuality and express themselves in unique and diverse ways. This has been a major part of my personal journey, and a message that I want to share with others.”
Is it bad that one of my first thoughts was “drat, now she can’t be one of the faces of Fenty Beauty?” Rihanna probably wouldn’t have paid out like CoverGirl can pay, so I feel like it’s fine. Issa should get that money, and now she’ll be in glossy magazines and on TV commercials, twirling and saying “Easy, breezy, beautiful, CoverGirl!” Much like every other makeup company these days, CoverGirl is trying to rebrand their products to a more racially and ethnically diverse group of women because SURPRISE white women are not the only ones buying makeup. It’s one of the biggest untapped markets: mainstream makeup for all skin colors and skin tones. Issa is a great representative of the changing of white supremacist makeup guard. Good for her.
Photos courtesy of Instagram.
This is awesome. I don’t know much about this American brand.
It was one of the most popular in the 90s.
The girl is beautiful. That sequin top is not. Lovely lips.
It’s also one of the better drug store brands where diversity is concerned. They have a whole subdivision called “Covergirl Queen” (named for Queen Latifah, the main spokewoman) that produces makeup for medium to dark skin tones.
F*CK YES GIRL YOU GET THAT MONEY. I’ve thought she was brilliant since she got her start doing “Awkward Black Girl,” and I’m really amazed at how far she’s come in under a decade. I’m really happy for her. 🙂
I want all good things for Issa. All good things.
Love that photo with the gold top! CG has had diverse models for a while, Ellen, pink, janelle monae. It must be working for them to not go the cookie cutter route
They were also the 1st company to feature a male makeup model. Plus, the Queen collection that came out at least a decade before.
I don’t really like CG makeup, but they’re doing a great job with diversity. I loved their ads with Tyra Banks back in the day!
I just started watching Insecure yesterday and have watched the first 5 eps already. It’s soooo good! The writing, the acting. I love seeing a different POV. Good for her!
I Love Issa Rae!! Smart move on Cover Girl, she is gorgeous, !!! easy breezy beautiful cover girl, yes
Um, Cover Girl has always been diverse. Issa is not the first black spokeswoman, Queen Latifah, Janelle Monae, Zendaya, Rihanna, list goes on. I am happy that they signed her, go Issa. PS: I haven’t been watching Insecure as I wait for the episodes to air and then binge!
Sorry, I didn’t see your comment when I posted mine above! 😄
She’s stunning.
She is so pretty and I watch this and laugh out loud my husband thinks I am crazy. Love her friend Molly too and all of the characters.
Kelli is my favorite!! She is so funny!
Love this show. Very real about women and friendships and relationships and work. Great show
Did you know that the actress who plays Kelli also writes for the show? I’m sure she keeps the best one-liners for herself! She has me cackling all the time.
Covergirl also just added a Muslim / American YouTuber as a spokesperson: sharifa easmin. First time a woman who looks like me working with a major brand. I am so happy cover girl is so diverse!
So refreshing to see a dark Brown woman representing a beauty product. Hollywood would have never organically let her in so I’m so happy she made it happen on her own. She is a very talented woman. From YouTube to HBO to Cover Girl.
Yes!! I love Issa and Insecure. I’m so happy for her!!
My uncle and father watch GoT together every Sunday night and one night I noticed that my uncle stuck around after to watch Insecure…it was super weird but I made me smile.
I’m happy for Issa and I ope her career is long and amazing
Lover her! I think she’s smart, beautiful and funny. Getm girl!
Cover girl user here…. it’s affordable and not at all intimidating. I don’t wear alot of Makeup but its appreciated when you can get the basics and not spend a fortune.
love Issa – i’ve been watching her since her Awkward Black Girl days on Youtube. wish her nothing but success!
Yes that’s my girl! I am so proud of her and all that she has accomplished since Awkward Black Girl. She is a beautiful young woman and wish her nothing but success. Also I love Insecure and it’s the only reason I haven’t canceled my HBO subscription.
I love love love Issa, she is just stunning too. But Cover Girl, not so much. They are such a cheap brand and their makeup makes me break out. Their eyeliner is gone in seconds. Maybe it’s just my skin but I stopped buying their products years ago.
I have a sense with the release of Fenty Beauty and the immediate success of their dark skin tone foundations we’re going to see A LOT of makeup companies pushing more diverse products with POC spoke-models. I’ve already started to see articles on this pop up – people are noticing immediate changes even in the way companies line up their product for pictures (shades being shown dark to light vs previously being shown light to dark.)
I think it’s fantastic.
Side note – damn the shade room for making me read Issa like “it’s a” from all their damn “issa snack or no?” posts…
I’m not surprised in the slightest. She is stunningly beautiful.
Right? She could be the face of a makeup brand without being an actress, she’s one of the most gorgeous women on tv right now.
I love this so much. All little girls and boys should see someone like themselves being celebrated for their beauty and accomplishments.
Insecure is one my girl’s get together shows. Once my babies are in bed it is wine, snacks and Insecure with my girls.
I have no idea who this girl is, but she is GORGEOUS! I’m hoping that makeup companies will realise that us chocolate girls are here too, together with the snow whites that have to look through a sea of beige.
I love, love ,love your show, Issa!! You are an amazing actress. That last episode when you moved out of your apartment and Lawrence was there, made me cry. You are sooooo likeable, real, and relatable. I see a bright future for you with mucho awards. Girl, keep bringing it!!!! Love ya to death, and yes, I am a white schoolteacher,lol!!! Now what!!!