TRENDING

Last week's New York Fashion Week saw all sorts of new makeup looks debut on the runway and across social media. At MAC Cosmetics, they paired with designers Alexa Adams and Flora Gill for their Ohne Titel show. One model in particular made a splash on the scene: 23-year-old Ugandan model Aamito Lagum, who won Africa's Next Top Model a couple years back, didn't just model for Ohne Titel, she also walked for Kanye West, Tadashi Shoji and J. Mendel.

Though Aamito rocked her shows, lately she's been receiving all kinds of backlash for a picture MAC posted on their Instagram. Featuring a close-up shot of the model's pout painted in a deep purple lipstick called Royal Romance, the picture was barraged by all kinds of rude and completely inappropriate remarks—most focusing on Aamito's race.

While some MAC followers threatened to unfollow the makeup line, others commented saying how ugly they thought Aamito's full lips were. Despite the hundreds of hurtful notes, Aamito managed to brush it off and show that other's negative words can't get her down.

"My lips giving you sleepless nights," she joked in an Instagram caption for a photo showcasing a Black Girl Long Hair headline.

"Thank you to @maccosmetics and to that makeup artist," she continued. "Ama get me 3 of these."

MAC, however, wasn't about to let their followers off so easy. "MAC stands for and respects All Ages, All Races, All sexes," they captioned their own photo. "We celebrate the beauty of individuality, and the confidence to be who you are."

Though the photo played host plenty of hate, it also inspired some serious love. When graphic designer Obakeng Moroe saw the pic, he knew he had to recreate the image. Aamito loved the artwork, sharing it on her Instagram and encouraging other girls all over to take their own luscious lip pics and share them with #PrettyLipsPeriod.

Girls of all races and ethnicities joined in, posting their puckers with the tag. Many women, especially African-American women have participated in the trend to fight back against the racism that Aamito faced and show that all pouts can be pretty, no matter of size or shape or color.

"I saw I could be an activist for young women of color or any woman out there who feels like she looks different," she told The New York Times.

We're so glad that Aamito decided to snap back against the people who would put her down—and in turn inspire girls all over to embrace and love their looks.

What parts of your body do you love? How do you celebrate all the wonderful things that make you you?

Photos credit: MAC Cosmetics, Aamito Lagum, Obakeng Moroe, Tshepiso_Ralehlathe, Veronica512, Neil E, LaTece, Boitumelo

by Taylor Gardner | 2/24/2016