Celebrating Pride Through Beauty
Pride isn't just for June - it's for life, and for the 50th anniversary, we're celebrating LGBTQ+ icons everywhere - from our own Islanders to the RI community. Beauty is a key part of self-expression (they pretty much go hand-in-hand, in our book), so we caught up with icons @pradaolic, @charlie_craggs and @m.rbeauty to share what beauty and Pride means to them.
Can you finish the sentence: Pride is….exploration and discovery of your true authentic self.
This year we’re celebrating 50 years of Pride in the UK, but how do you celebrate Pride through beauty?
I celebrate Pride through beauty by pushing myself more to create extravagant and ethereal looks whilst simultaneously embodying and embracing my beauty.
What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty is loving and embracing myself with and without makeup.
How has makeup and beauty helped you to navigate your own identity and self-expression?
Makeup and beauty have allowed me to step out of my comfort zone several times. It’s allowed me to always think outside the box whenever it comes to creating another beautiful piece of work. It’s also allowed me to just be confident and comfortable in whatever I wear - whether it be a bright hair colour or an unusual outfit, I just feel good af in anything I put on or create!
Why is it important we speak up and have these conversations?
Speaking up leads to education. Education leads to more open-minded people, which means less judgment and ignorance within society.
What do you love about beauty?
Being able to express my artistry freely.
Who was your first LGBTQ+ role model and why?
Ru-Paul, everything about them just screamed elegance, extravagance and BEAUTY.
What are your go-to makeup products?
Illamasqua loose powder and mascara as they’re both great for nights out!
What would you say to encourage people to be more open minded and inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community?
We’re all born with different characteristics, personality and looks. There’s never one of the same person in the world, so we need to embrace and welcome every single individual regardless of their sexuality or gender.
Can you finish the sentence: Pride is…. the opposite of shame. Pride is about celebrating the parts of your identity that the world has taught you to beashamed of.
This year we’re celebrating 50 years of Pride in the UK, but how do you celebrate Pride through beauty?
When I was a kid, I remember going to bed and just wishing I’d wake up a girl. That’s all I wanted, so to actually wake up every day and be the girl I always dreamt I’d be is the craziest thing ever. I I feel like the luckiest person in the world, just getting to wake up every day and put my makeup on. I’m living my childhood dream. I don’t think I’ll ever take that for granted.
What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty means a lot to me; it’s honestly granted me safety and a better life.
How has makeup and beauty helped you to navigate your own identity and self-expression?
Getting to a point in my transition where I look “good” has changed my life. My early transition was so hard because I looked “bad”, I was constantly stared/laughed/commented at. It’s sad that trans people should have to “look good” aka not “look trans” to have an easier life, but that’s just the way it is right now, and being able to finally blend in in public means I’m able to navigate life more safely. I can’t put into words how lucky I feel, my life is so much better because of it, I don’t think I’d still be here if things hadn’t gotten easier, I’m so grateful.
Why is it important we speak up and have these conversations?
The reason I do what I do with nail transphobia is because I hope that future generations of trans people don’t have to go through what I went through.
What do you love about beauty?
I love being able to make myself look, and in turn feel, like the best version of myself every day.
Who was your first LGBTQ+ role model and why?
Pete Burns was the one of the first representations I had of a strong LGBTQ+ person who stood up for themselves and didn’t take any crap. This changed my life, II was being badly bullied at school for being queer, and I channelled Pete and started standing up for myself. Now I try and be what Pete was to me for the next generation, by always standing up for myself and taking no crap in the media and on social media.
What are your go-to makeup products and why?
Illamasqua is one of my favourite brands, the quality of their products is second to none. Now that I’ve got to a point in my transition (post laser and post facial surgery) where I don’t have to rely on heavy makeup I love a natural look, and illamasqua are the perfect brand for this. Beyond Veil is the PERFECT base and I love their liquid blush, contour and highlighter products for a light, glowylook.
What would you say to encourage people to be more open minded and inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community?
Just be kind. There’s not much else to say.
Can you finish the sentence: Pride is…. Being 100% your authentic self and not being afraid to celebrate who you are.
This year we’re celebrating 50 years of Pride in the UK, but how do you celebrate Pride through beauty?
I celebrate my Pride daily. I am a gay man who loves beauty and wears make up everyday, 50 years ago I’m not sure that would have been accepted. I love to paint with every colour of the rainbow and celebrate the beauty we can create with make up. I mean who doesn’t love a bit of colour right?!
What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty to me means expression and confidence.
How has make-up and beauty helped you to navigate your own identity and self-expression?
Truly, when I came out makeup and beauty helped me transform myself into the person I truly knew I was. I wore it as a badge of honour - that I was a stunning gay 16 year old boy who wanted to share his glamour with the world. At 36, I am still as passionate about how you can reveal your true self during the process of applying makeup. It isn’t just about how you look, but a moment to give yourself a pep talk and remind yourself just how fab you really are, then add some lip-gloss on top and you are ready to rock .
Why is it important we speak up and have these conversations?
Conversation is the starting point to education. We need to keep talking to people about queer identity and making sure that we break down boundaries. There is still so much conversation to be had as sadly discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ+ community still exists .
What do you love about beauty?
Self expression and the transformative power on your confidence.
Who was your first LGBTQ+ role model and why?
Honestly in my youth I didn’t have a role model I could look up to. Some celebrities at the time had come out as gay but weren’t exactly shouting it from the rooftops. That’s why I am so glad to see gay culture explode with such amazing role models for younger community members who need someone to look up to.
What are your go-to makeup products and why?
Honestly at the moment it’s the Revolution Conceal and Define Foundation. It literally makes me glow beyond any earthly glow and instantly makes me look 10 years younger.
What would you say to encourage people to be more open minded and inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community?
Every individual is different. Everyone has a place and everyone has the ability to be kind. Life is so much more colourful and fun when you embrace peoples differences and learn new things from each other. There is so much beauty out there, we just have to be open to it .