We Remember: Makeup Artist Roxanna Floyd

We Remember: Makeup Artist Roxanna Floyd

Roxanna Floyd - We lost one of our most coveted beauty legends last week. Roxanna Floyd had been painting the faces of every well-known African-American starlet for the last three decades. Her work – including over 60 Essence magazine covers, films, countless album covers and memorable photo shoots – made her one of the top beauty artists in the nation.

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Roxanna Floyd - We lost one of our most coveted beauty legends last week. Roxanna Floyd had been painting the faces of every well-known African-American starlet for the last three decades. Her work – including over 60 Essence magazine covers, films, countless album covers and memorable photo shoots – made her one of the top beauty artists in the nation.

Her Work - Her clientele boasted the likes of Whitney Houston, Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, Beyoncé, Lauryn Hill and many more. We’d like to pay homage to the spirited hands behind such beautiful faces. She was not just a makeup maven, but a friend to many.

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Her Work - Her clientele boasted the likes of Whitney Houston, Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, Beyoncé, Lauryn Hill and many more. We’d like to pay homage to the spirited hands behind such beautiful faces. She was not just a makeup maven, but a friend to many.

Humble Beginnings - Floyd had a small stint as a teen actress before diving in behind the scenes. Her first gig was at a cosmetics counter at Macy’s department store where she practiced and perfected her makeup craft.

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Humble Beginnings - Floyd had a small stint as a teen actress before diving in behind the scenes. Her first gig was at a cosmetics counter at Macy’s department store where she practiced and perfected her makeup craft.

Her First Client - Roxanna Floyd’s first client was Yoko Ono, who helped to usher Floyd into the remarkable success she later encountered.<br><br> “I was working with a music video director and I did her makeup for the video and at the end of the shoot she asked for my telephone number. Yoko was very nice. I was nervous of course; I just wanted to do a good job.”

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Her First Client - Roxanna Floyd’s first client was Yoko Ono, who helped to usher Floyd into the remarkable success she later encountered.<br><br> “I was working with a music video director and I did her makeup for the video and at the end of the shoot she asked for my telephone number. Yoko was very nice. I was nervous of course; I just wanted to do a good job.”

Words From Sam Fine - I fondly remember meeting Roxanna Floyd the first day I worked for Essence magazine. We were working together on a beauty story, and as I began doing makeup on my model, I remember Roxanna pulling me aside to give me advice on the &quot;look&quot; that the client prefers. She had a maternal quality that made you listen and ask for guidance.

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Words From Sam Fine - I fondly remember meeting Roxanna Floyd the first day I worked for Essence magazine. We were working together on a beauty story, and as I began doing makeup on my model, I remember Roxanna pulling me aside to give me advice on the "look" that the client prefers. She had a maternal quality that made you listen and ask for guidance.

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Her Loving Husband - A source close to the family noted Roxanna’s love for her husband, Rick E. Ramos.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt; “They met in ‘87. Their friendship and their love was its own.  Their relationship, unfailingly warm and full of joyful memories, was sometimes easy and sometimes tough, but always theirs.”

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Her Loving Husband - A source close to the family noted Roxanna’s love for her husband, Rick E. Ramos.<br><br> “They met in ‘87. Their friendship and their love was its own. Their relationship, unfailingly warm and full of joyful memories, was sometimes easy and sometimes tough, but always theirs.”

Working with Whitney - Floyd created the looks for Whitney Houston’s stunning “I Look to You” album cover, along with looks for her recent tour. Her vision behind the look was “grace and maturity.”

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Working with Whitney - Floyd created the looks for Whitney Houston’s stunning “I Look to You” album cover, along with looks for her recent tour. Her vision behind the look was “grace and maturity.”

Fellow Friend, Monica - Floyd worked with singer Monica from 1997 – 2003. The devastated songbird tweeted:&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt; &quot;My heart aches and I can see the face of her husband who I called Uncle Ricky because he favored my dad. Most of all he adored her and spent decades by her side. God bless her family.&quot;

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Fellow Friend, Monica - Floyd worked with singer Monica from 1997 – 2003. The devastated songbird tweeted:<br><br> "My heart aches and I can see the face of her husband who I called Uncle Ricky because he favored my dad. Most of all he adored her and spent decades by her side. God bless her family."

Ushering in a New Era - Floyd’s last work of art was newcomer Gabourey Sidibe on the cover of Ebony magazine.

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Ushering in a New Era - Floyd’s last work of art was newcomer Gabourey Sidibe on the cover of Ebony magazine.

Remembering Roxanna - Roxanna specialized in clean, timeless looks. She had the awesome ability to bring out a woman’s naturally fabulous features with her flawless techniques.  She will be greatly missed by her legion of fans, peers and loving family.

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Remembering Roxanna - Roxanna specialized in clean, timeless looks. She had the awesome ability to bring out a woman’s naturally fabulous features with her flawless techniques. She will be greatly missed by her legion of fans, peers and loving family.