Really, you have nothing better to write about?  First it’s Beyonce’, now Brandy.  Let’s just be for real.  I doubt either one of them went into the studio and told the photographer to make them look lighter.  It all has to do with the lighting and retouching.  We are so worried about everyone else tearing down black women, when we’re doing it ourselves.

I feel this is the equivalent to white women, etc., getting botox shots for fuller lips. All women, not just black, take measures to make themselves feel confident in their appearance.

I also wish black folks would celebrate their looks, instead of trying to look like someone else, but whateva… it’s their body, so they can do what they want with it… with that said, I think Brandy looks awesome in these pics… I absolutely LOVE the short hair on her.

I am honestly beginning to think that you guys are reaching. Photography and the art of the magazine spread calls for so many different types of lighting and editing techiniques. What one artist will do another won’t. I think you need to start calling out the photographers and editors. 

I’ll stop this right here. As a photographer and retoucher, I will share that the lightened skin, and extra defined nose, is the work of the retoucher, and one that’s leaning on the amateur side at that. 

Long story short, the lighter you make one’s skin (in this editing program that was used), the smoother the complexion appears to look. Sometimes, the tools used to smooth out the skin have a lightening effect. If the retoucher is experienced, then they know how to attain smoother looking skin and an even complexion on a model without sacrificing their skin tone.
The MUA’s work is almost none existent in this photo. If the MUA contoured we would not be able to tell because the retoucher over-exposed his/her work into oblivion and that would piss me off as a MUA. So let’s place the blame where it belongs, on the retoucher, who lightened the images and bumped up the clarity instead of taking their time to do justice to Brandy and the other artists that they worked together with on this project. Concerning makeup otherwise, public figures have to wear a bit more than normal, because flash light’s things up in a spectacular way that renders an everyday makeup look as having none at all. I’ve seen some good contouring and I’ve seen some atrocities. If you’re looking at a photo and see that “lighter line of makeup” straight down the person’s nose, then their MUA missed the class on blending.Applying makeup is an art, so is photography and retouching. Having people doing the jobs of artists without the proper experience, because they have connections is a spit in the face of real artist who have taken the time to perfect their crafts. So let’s talk  about that. Let’s put an end to nose contouring for good by those who look at YouTube videos and consider themselves MUA’s. ((steps off soapbox))

 A little and a little, collected together, become a
great deal; the heap in the barn consists of single grains, and drop
and drop makes an inundation.

yes! yes! yes!   I was a model and I hated when it was done to me! 

My only issue is that the lighting is so bright that she looks pale.  I think Brandy has a beautiful complexion.

It annoys me that people feel te need to always judge what other people want to do with their bodies. I mean who is it hurting. FYI caucasian people contour their nose as well. I have a pretty small slim nose for an African American woman and I still contour. Not an obvious or drastic contour or just a little. Why you may ask? Because I feel it looks better. I mean it is my face not yours. I can do what I want with it. Jeez…