Photo Credit: ShutterstockIn recent years, we’ve witnessed the beauty industry take off as the meaning behind makeup continues to expand. While some apply makeup to simply cover a blemish or lengthen a few lashes, others use makeup as a powerful tool to make a political statement, help form an identity or restore much-needed confidence. Indeed a method of self-expression, makeup has blossomed into a symbol for the cultural communities that desired a voice in society, such as the LGBTQ+ community.

Each year, the month of June welcomes the celebration of love in the form of Pride. A whole month where vibrant palettes and colorful glitters pack the shelves of cosmetic stores and eventually emblazon the faces of those standing proudly for love. By teaching acceptance and harboring individuality, our society’s culture and mindset continue evolving, along with the industry that boosts these efforts. Though no single person can pin down the true meaning of makeup, ELLE UK asked six LGBTQ+ figures to share how they use makeup as their own self-expression and how they’ll be painting themselves to celebrate Pride. 

1. The Vivienne

Known as an actor and TV personality appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, The Vivienne said she’ll ensure her eyes appear extra bright by doing a blended rainbow look that screams Pride. “My drag make-up is important to me every time I apply it as it’s my armor, however, at Pride it really does feel like you’re painting yourself even more proud,” she said. “You want to stand out. Pride isn’t about being proud to be gay, it’s about being proud that you’re not afraid to be who you are.”

She’ll use the Scepter palette to color her eyes and face (which is part of her collab with Bperfect Cosmetics). “I’m planning on starting with a smokey dark blue in shade ‘depth’ blended out into ‘pink lady’ and cutting the crease,” she said. “Then I’ll be going in on the lid with one of my favorite shades from Sceptre called ‘waste,’ and for the under eye, I’ll be using yellows and greens in shades ‘bubble’ and ‘gush’ to give the most gorgeous smoked out rainbow eye.” For skin, she said the Kryolan TV Paint Stick will provide extra coverage. 

2. Dev Doee

Creative Director of Fluide Cosmetics Dev Doee said Pride means celebrating in a way that’s authentic to each individual, whether it’s a full face of glitter or a little mascara. As for preferences, they like to use Fluide’s Universal Liners to create bold yet simple eye looks. Nevertheless, they plan to play around with a variety of shimmers and colors for this year’s Pride. 

“Make-up for me is all about self-expression, so as long as you’re having fun and feel great then I love it. Over the years my relationship with make-up has evolved, when I first started wearing it my goal was to change features and conceal parts of myself. Now, I look at make-up as fun,” they said. “It’s a way for me to express how I feel in the moment, whether that’s graphic liners or a smokey eye look. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone who looks like me as the Chief Creative Officer of a beauty brand and being able to combine my passion for make-up and also advocate and support my community is everything to me.”

3. Dominic Skinner

If someone’s going full out on Pride makeup, it’s gonna be Dominic Skinner. Last year, the Global Senior Artist at Mac Cosmetics painted his entire face six times in the six different colors of the original Pride flag. Now, he’s rocking pink eyebrows as a representation of his personal view of gender equality. We can only imagine what creative cosmetic plans he’s generating next. 

“The most important part of a Pride look is understanding the reasons behind it. Personally, it’s a celebration so there are no rules when it comes to wearing it. You do what you feel best represents you and your community. It doesn’t matter what products you use or how you use them, it’s all about the sentiment,” Skinner said. “A rainbow eye will always look pretty but if you don’t understand the cultural background as to what the Pride flag represents and what each color means to the LGBTQIA+ community then are you really celebrating Pride or are you just wearing a rainbow eye?”

4. Charlie Craggs

For a person whose view on makeup evolved beautifully, look no further than Charlie Craggs — an activist, author, and founder of Nail Transphobia. As a trans woman, Craggs said she initially began wearing makeup because she felt it was necessary to transition. 

“At the start of my transition, I needed make-up to be seen as female. This took the joy out of it and turned it into a chore, it felt a bit like a prison. As I’m nearing the end of my physical transition though, after years of laser to clear the facial hair, I don’t need concealer to color correct and after endless surgeries to feminize my face I don’t need excessive contour,” Craggs said. “I no longer need to wear make-up, so I can go back to enjoying it and wearing it because I want to rather than because I have to. It’s a shame we live in a society that imprisons trans women like this.”

Normally, Craggs opts for the “no-makeup makeup look” as seen on Mariah Carey. Despite her preference for natural looks, for this year’s Pride, she’ll “give the gays what they want! Colour all the way.”

5. Jamie Windust

Instead of following the so-called makeup “rules,” Jamie Windust said Pride is the time to tear up the rule book and “wear every color on that palette all at the same time and just embrace the ridiculousness of it all!” The author and model said they’re a fan of golden eye makeup, but they plan on exploring more eye paints and pigments to create a full-on wild eye look in celebration of Pride. 

“My first job was in a department store and I always used to obsess over the beauty counter. It was such a magical place and was the beginning of my queer journey and discovering my identity. Make-up was a gateway for me to begin understanding just who I am, and more importantly what I enjoy creatively,” Windust said. “I’m extremely honored to share my story with Lottie London this year, who are working to inspire creativity and diversity to help other trans and queer people unlock their own Pride.”

Ariel Tejada

Living vicariously through others, Ariel Tejada said he likes celebrating Pride through his client’s makeup — recently, he created a “chic yet festive” rainbow eye look for Latin singer Paloma Mami’s music video. 

“My clients are either a part of or huge supporters of the LGBTQIA+ community and together, we have built such beautiful and strong bonds,” Tejada said. “For me, Pride, in general, signifies authenticity, self-empowerment, and growth because this is something that has been fought for so long. To now have the ability to scream out and show your pride to the world is such a beautiful thing. Make-up is such an integral part of this because it’s an outlet to express myself and is a huge part of who I am today.”