Kerry Washington is moving deeper into beauty I see! The star of “Scandal” has inked a deal with nail brand OPI to be the company’s creative ambassador.
The actress will be co-designing a line with OPI cofounder and creative director Suzi Weiss-Fischmann later this year; further details were not available at press time. “Suzi’s such a fierce female entrepreneur,” said Washington. “This is going to be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to testing out new colors on the red carpet. The fun, for me, is that nail lives in the crossover space between fashion and beauty. I love to play with nail color on the red carpet and explore new shades.”
Washington noted that her current favorite OPI shades are Lincoln Park After Dark, a deep red-black; Big Apple Red, a bright candy-apple shade, and You Don’t Know Jacques, a taupe polish. “I’m also a big fan of Gwen Stefani’s line for OPI. She has done such a great job having her collection represent her — not just with OPI, but through everything she’s done. If I can do something similar, I will be very happy.”
Washington is already putting her stamp on Neutrogena color. She noted that the brand will be expanding its foundation range — “something that was especially important to me, so that we’ll be able to have a shade for every ethnicity,” she said — and is working with the brand on lip colors as well. “I want to increase access to beauty to women of all ethnicities,” she said. “Nude looks different depending on your skin tone and that’s the fashion and beauty world I want to live in, where everyone has the ability to express the beauty that reflects them. I love being able to be an influencer in the space.”
Added Weiss-Fischmann, “When the opportunity came around to have Kerry join OPI as our creative ambassador, the answer was instantly yes. She empowers women through her sophisticated style, humor and confidence. Most of all, she has a huge love of nail lacquer and has worn OPI for years and years. I’m looking forward to working with Kerry in 2016 to create some new and fabulous OPI shades.”
