Patrick Ta & Painted by Esther Drama

Blush has been a beauty staple for ages, but a recent online debate has turned rosy cheeks into a powerful statement about how the beauty industry treats Black women. The controversy surrounding makeup artist Patrick Ta’s latest product release and its similarities to the signature style of makeup artist Ngozi Esther Edeme, famously known as Painted by Esther, has struck a chord with many, particularly Black women.

A Signature Style Under Scrutiny

Painted by Esther has built a strong reputation for her bold, rosy cheek and under-eye looks that flatter a wide range of complexions. Her influence is evident in the surge of vibrant blush trends seen across social media, red carpets, and fashion shows, especially among Black women. The issue arose when Patrick Ta launched new blush products, and social media users quickly noticed the striking resemblance between his technique and Esther’s established style.

The frustration isn’t about the color of the blush itself, but rather the perception that a brand, led by a Vietnamese American artist, may have capitalized on a technique popularized by a Black woman without giving proper credit. This pattern—where Black women are often the muses but rarely the acknowledged sources of inspiration—is a persistent issue in the beauty world.

A Pattern of Uncredited Influence

This isn’t the first time Patrick Ta’s brand has faced criticism related to Black creatives. In 2024, content creator Avonna Sunshine went viral for calling out the brand for allegedly not paying her for a campaign. She questioned how Black creators who heavily support the brand would feel knowing this. Jools Lebron also claimed she wasn’t paid for a campaign with Ta around the same time.

In response to the current blush controversy, Ta posted a TikTok acknowledging Esther’s talent and influence, stating, “She popularized this look through her work and through Olandria. I also have been doing this blush look since 2021. Not the same as Esther but my own version.” However, this came after Esther herself addressed the situation hesitantly in a TikTok video.

The Weight of Being a Black Woman in the Industry

Esther expressed her exhaustion with constantly being spoken for and the fear of being labeled an “angry Black woman” when advocating for herself. She clarified that she never claimed to have started the trend, emphasizing her respect for artists like Kevyn Aucoin and Danessa Myricks. “I am 29 years old. That would be ludicrous to claim ownership of anything. But what you will not belittle is my influence,” she stated powerfully.

Esther also recounted a peculiar experience with a member of Ta’s team who requested to record her makeup session, which felt “conniving.” She highlighted the difficulty of being a Black woman in the industry, where one often has to “fight twice as hard to get just half of what you deserve.” The core request from Esther, and Black women in the industry at large, is simple: respect and acknowledgment of their influence.

This situation underscores a broader issue of cultural appropriation and lack of credit within the beauty world. While social media facilitates conversation, the question remains whether these public debates are ultimately helpful or harmful, especially when they center on a Black woman’s experience. Ultimately, acknowledging Painted by Esther’s undeniable influence is a crucial step towards greater equity in the industry.