Beauty In Black star Taylor Polidore Williams Reveals her Favorite Cure for Puffy Eyes + The Foundation She Uses “All the Time”

Previously known for her recurring role as Dallas Ali in FX's critically acclaimed, Snowfall and the CW Sports Drama Series, All American: Homecoming, Taylor Polidore Williams is making waves with her second leading role for Tyler Perry Studios in the Netflix drama series, Beauty in Black. 

With the highly anticipated Season 2 officially announced, Taylor dives headfirst into the character of Kimmie, a struggling mom who makes her transformation from stripper to the head of a beauty brand empire in a modern-day rags to riches story with twists and turns that nobody could expect.

Beautytap (B): As the star of Tyler Perry's new Netflix Series, Beauty in Black you get to experience so many unexpected story arcs in Season One and you really get to do so many interesting things portraying the role of Kimmie from action sequences to romance and from low brow strip clubs to high glam of the beauty industry. What made you want to take on such a diverse roll?

Taylor Polidore Williams (TPW): All of those things! That was one of the things that drew me to the character. I think it’s always a treat as an actor to be able to go in and play a character that is so dynamic. That’s always a goal for any actor. You know sometimes you get relegated to these one-dimensional characters, “The Good Girl,” “The Mean Girl,” and I’ve done that, but that was actually one of the things that also terrified me about Kimmie. And then I had a conversation with Tyler (Perry) and he said “No, this is where she’s going.” And the little bug in my head, it intrigued me - and that’s interesting to me to go from opposite ends of the spectrum and to be able to do all this. As an artist it’s fun, it’s exciting.

B: Kimmie's looks are really diverse too, especially towards the final episodes. Were there any devices that you used with your makeup or looks during Season One of Beauty in Black that helped you convey and help you feel more connected to the role of Kimmie?

TPW: Absolutely. So, it’s funny and now I can say it because it’s been released.  We have a Season Two coming out! Tyler (Perry) shared an actual picture from the next season and Kimmie undergoes quite a transformation especially with her look. I can say that for Season One, the lashes, the dark smokey eye, this run-down tired look absolutely was intentional because of where she was coming from. Even the shade of the smokey eye. The blacks and the grays. There’s even blue sometimes. It was very intentional in that first season I think to make it even more dramatic in Season Two as she transforms into this new role. Not to give a spoiler but at the end of Season One she becomes the boss of the company, so she’s going to have to transform into that person.

B: Beauty In Black became the most-watched English-language TV series on Netflix globally for three weeks when it debuted. Congratulations! Where were you when you found out that you were going to be picked up for a Second Season? Was it an announcement to everyone on set or did somebody just call you?

TPW: Oh! Funny story. When they made the official news break announcement, I already knew but when I actually found out when I was at the African-American Film Critics Awards. They were honoring Tyler and I was at the table with him and he said, “We got two. We’re coming back.” So, he told me back then. I was like, “Wait we have a season two?” And he nodded YES.

B: Did you have to keep it a secret at that moment while you were with all that press at the awards show? That must have been so hard to do and that you couldn’t’ tell anybody. 

TPW: Yes, I couldn't say anything but that was good enough for me just to know.

B:  I love the official key art image for Beauty in Black featuring you and your co-star, Crystle Stewart. You both look gorgeous. Can you give Beautytap some behind-the-scenes insights into how the look was created for the campaign? Was there a specific person assigned to do your make up?

TPW: The person who did my makeup is Keitric Starks. He was responsible for my character’s look and for the Beauty in Black key art. He went with a smaller lash for the promotional image. We changed the lash just to not have it be so heavy. He used a blue shimmer over the lid and the liner and Danessa Myricks Eye Shadow in the shade of Awakening. I thought it was just so pretty and different. That’s not just something you see through the season, but of course there was a little 'zhuzh' for the promo and I thought it was just gorgeous. It was a dark teal blue.

B: Can you tell us what products Keitric used to achieve Kimmie's look for the first season episodes? 

TPW: I know he used Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation Medium Deep Number 23 mixed with Armani Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer No. 2 Champagne and finished with Fenty Pro FILT'R Soft Matte Powder Foundation 360. Then we used Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush called Walk of No Shame with Tom Ford Cheek Color 03 Flush and during some of the club scenes. That’s when the look was supposed to be a bit more elevated. We also used an oldie but goodie MAC Lip Liner Pencil called Cork for the club scenes to give more of a dramatic dark look. The specific eye shadow that he used was Tom Ford Eye Color Quad 10 Titanium Smoke. 

B: I noticed the eyelashes were over emphasized especially in the strip club scenes. They were a character almost unto themselves! 

TPW: So, the eyelashes 'having their own moment was an accident. We shoot extremely fast. That’s Tyler Perry’s style. So, the eye lashes were supposed to be just for the club, but we did so many changes that they just stayed on. It was like, "well, we just gotta keep them on."  I think it completely transformed my face. I know it’s something that people talk about on TikTok like 'brow blindness,’ 'blush blindness,’ 'eyelash blindness.’ Ha! It completely gave a tone and a moment that was not necessarily intentional in some of the other instances outside of the club, but because I know where it’s going, I think it lends even more to the transformation. 

B: Because you play a stripper there is a lot of skin showing too. Did that require full body makeup of any kind? 

TPW: There was no full body makeup. What we did use was shimmer though. But when I would be in the stripper costume, the moisture was the most important thing to me. Keitric would always do just a little shimmer on the shoulders, a little shimmer on the thigh and places that the light would just lightly pick it up, but we didn’t do air brush makeup.

B: Do you have your own skincare regime off set? 

TPW: Daily for the skin, yes, the face is a whole different thing, but for body I use Naturium. They have a Smoother Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash and then Naturium also has a Glow Getter Multi Oil Body Wash which is super moisturizing. I work out every day so in the daytime I use the glycolic acid and then at nighttime I use the glow one. And I use EOS Body Lotion Vanilla Cashmere both times. I use the Neutrogena Body Oil Light Sesame Formula after the shower as well and sometimes I’ll use the Brown Sugar Babe Body Oil if I’m going out for the night before or after I get out of the shower. They have many scents, but I use, My Tribeca. I’ll use a scented body oil. It makes your perfume stay longer and locks in the moisture and it just makes you all nice and soft. 

B: Sounds like you really have a great daily regime already in place, but did you pick up any new must have products from the Hair & Makeup team on set that you loved and still use?

TPW: Yes, I did pick up on a couple of things from Keitric the makeup artist. When we filmed in Atlanta in the spring, my allergies were horrible. I would go to work with ice on my eyes trying to make it come down. My eyes would be puffy, and he would give me things to help with the puffiness. He would use Kiehl's Eye De-Puffer. I hadn’t seen it until I worked with him. Now I need to have it for these springtime woes. I need it in my life! He would put it in the refrigerator so when I would come in the morning it would be so cool. The Kiehl's Eye De-Puffer is the number one must have!!

B: Speaking of filming on set, you’ve worked with Tyler Perry now for the second time. Beauty In Black and you also starred in his series, Divorce in Black. Can you share with Beautytap what the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta is like and what it was like to go onto the lot as the star? 

TPW: I love movie studio lots in general. I think they are such magical places because It’s a world within a world and Tyler Perry Studios is no different. It’s like 300 acres. There’s so much land. Of course, they have the soundstages which is really special because they are all named after iconic and legendary black film makers. For instance, they have the Diahann Carroll stage and the Halle Berry stage. I think specifically as a black actress it’s very inspirational. They also have the New York lot, the Chicago lot, and all these different houses and neighborhoods. Another awesome thing that they did for Beauty in Black specifically is that they built four fully functioning mansions with everything from rooms and bathrooms, down to the heated pools in the backyard. They built four mansions for the show. He (Tyler) also has a White House there!

B: Do you also want to direct and produce like Tyler or is acting at your core?

TPW: I do want to direct and produce one day. I would love the opportunity to shadow and learn how to direct. I’ve produced short films and things with my friends and colleagues. I really like producing and bringing people together to make a story. I've never directed before, but I want to because it scares me. 

B: Well, Tyler obviously believes in you, and you've certainly got an in, so please make sure you invite Beautytap back when you do your first film with Tyler Perry Productions. 

You mentioned some inspiring actresses that Tyler Perry dedicated his soundstages to. Did you have an actress in mind that was inspirational for you in portraying this role of Kimmie? 

TPW: I did, and one that people might not think of so much is Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Now that we are in Season Two, I have to justify this transition. I feel like Pretty Woman inspired me because this is one of those things that’s like, "How often does this happen?" That’s what I was thinking of for this role of Kimmie, and also in terms of the very real human trafficking aspect of it. 

B: I heard you are extremely passionate about the rights and welfare of young people, yes?

TPW: I’m a special advocate for youth in foster care. I have a lot of knowledge about human trafficking because children in care are proportionally more susceptible to becoming victims of trafficking, so I was a little bit more aware of how this can happen. But the bridge to where she goes in our fantastical world is inspired by Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. 

B: Pretty Woman makes me think of you too with all your gorgeous red carpet looks recently. For instance, you looked stunning in the gray dress at the Critics’ Choice Association: Celebration of Black Cinema. That look was unbelievable, and you can see it on your Instagram @taylorpolidore. I also loved you in the Bronze Lens Women's Superstars Honors 2024 in the red House of CB dress. Not everyone can wear that dress - both super chic high fashion looks. Do you love dressing up? Can you relate more to your rival character Mallory (played by Crystle Stewart) who loves high fashion, minus the sinister side of course?

TPW: I love dressing in Taylor - my real life! It’s funny because I like full glam, fun diva, furs, etc. - I love that kind of stuff, but I also love doing completely no makeup too. So, I’m still learning the in between part. I love skincare and I love being full glam as well. I would say my personal style might err more on the side of Crystal's character (Mallory). Kimmie with the lashes isn’t really me...but I also like no makeup at all. You might see me like that.

B: Is there something you always take with you in your purse on the red carpet? 

TPW: I’ll definitely take whatever lip I have on. I must also have a Beauty Blender just to make sure everything is still intact. 

B: Do you have any favorite brands or companies that you love to use that are either Black owned and operated or have shade colors that you’re just like…"Yes! Finally. This is my shade. This is my color?”

TPW:  I personally use the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Foundation all the time. I think they do a really good job with the shades. Just because your skin is brown doesn’t mean that there are not undertones, and it was kind of hard-to-find matches. I like the matte foundation from Fenty and love what Rihanna as created, but my go to girl is the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Foundation in Cinnamon. It just sits on the skin, like it’s not there. 

B: You're already the perfect celebrity spokesperson for that product. Have you ever wanted to have your own cosmetic line or be in the beauty industry? 

TPW: I have. I’m deeply inspired by Rihanna and just the things that she’s done in general from fashion to makeup to skincare and perfume. That really inspires me and is a goal of mine one day to merge my love of selfcare, health and wellness and make it beautiful too. The health of your skin and your hair is what really intrigues me. I'm also inspired by Cécred, Beyoncé’s hair care line. I use the Restoring Hair and Edge Drops and the Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil. 

B: Since the series is titled, Beauty In Black, how do you think Crystle Stewart's character Mallory would define beauty and how would your character Kimmie define beauty?

TPW: I think Mallory would define beauty, as the way that you look that commands the most power. You know, utilizing your wardrobe, your hair, your makeup to get respect and power because I think that’s what she wants. That’s what she thinks is beautiful - to be powerful. I think what Kimmie would consider beauty is what is on the inside and being a good person. That’s where your beauty comes from - not so much what you have on or what you look like. Just because you look beautiful on the outside doesn’t mean that you are in fact beautiful. 

Taylor Polidore Williams can currently be seen starring in Tyler Perry’s Beauty In Black on Netflix. You can also follow Taylor on her official Instagram @taylorpolidore.