Pride Month might now be over, but we here at Who What Wear believe in celebrating and opening a dialogue around what it means to be in the LGBTQ+ community every week and every day. While Pride Month is a particularly powerful display of love and hope, it also acts as a sounding board to pave the way for our evolution toward acceptance and diversity among all communities. Why wouldn't we want to continue this narrative long after the month of June?
While the word "inclusivity" has become a bit of a buzzword some beauty brands like to use to stay relevant, I decided to go straight to the source for an honest chat. I asked three celebrity makeup artists and a hairstylist who are part of the LGBTQ+ community about what it means to live your most authentic life—celebrating your own beauty and true self in a way that uplifts you and others around you. Love is a powerful and contagious energy, and Pride Month continues long after June in their book (and ours). Because the beauty editor in me couldn't miss out on the opportunity, I asked them to share a few key summer products they use on their clients that make them feel extra confident or just get them through the heat of the season.
For what they had to share, keep on scrolling.
Notable clients: Kate Hudson, Haley Kalil, Avantika Vandanapu, Cleopatra Coleman, Kylie Cantrall, Jinkx Monsoon
Celebrity hairstylist Davey Matthew cherishes times like Pride Month because he considers it a celebration of all communities. "[It's] a celebration of diversity and inclusivity of any and all marginalized communities, not just LGBTQ+," he says. "[It's] centered around love and acceptance, not only from others but from within. Lift communities up, lift oneself up. All of our differences are what make us beautiful. Those differences are what I would love to see reflected more in the beauty industry. When we see representation, it leads to acceptance."
Summer is hot. During this time of year, Matthew has a few tips: "I find myself reaching for products to make my clients feel cool—not only figuratively but literally! I love this dry shampoo because it's powered by micellar water. A quick-drying wet spray absorbs sweat and refreshes without going through the entire shampoo routine. It's amazing to keep in our bags as we navigate the oven known as NYC."
"Undoubtedly, we shampoo more frequently during the summer months. Using this product will help protect our strands from drying out with increased summer shampoos," Matthew says.
Matthew recommends Dr. Groot's Thickening Shampoo ($30) in addition to this Miracle In-Shower Treatment.
"Outside of the multitude of benefits [this] K-beauty shampoo and treatment will supply, it has a sublime cooling effect in the shower that actually stimulates blood flow and provides for a healthy scalp. Beyond that, it just chills me out after a hot day," he says.
Notable clients: Beyoncé, Lori Harvey, Venus Williams, Natalia Bryant, Justine Skye, Cleopatra Coleman
Celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris considers Pride a celebration of equality, but it's also a reminder. "Pride is a celebration, but it's also a reminder of the continued fight for equality for the LGBTQIA+ community," he says. "The beauty industry has the ability to take the lead and really empower and uplift our communities toward the fight for equality. I believe beauty is for all! We should encourage everyone to enjoy using beauty products to showcase their truest and best selves! I would love to see more beauty brands showcasing LGBTQIA+ individuals in campaigns and as founders of beauty companies."
"I'm currently loving Tatcha's Water Cream. It's one of my favorites to use on clients because it perfectly primes and hydrates the skin for makeup," Harris says.
"I'm also loving [the] Tower 28 concealer. It is so silky and hydrating—perfect for the under-eye area—10/10," Harris says.
"For the lips, I'm loving MAC Squirt lip balm. It is a plumping balm that looks great on bare lips or over your favorite lipstick. Pair it with your favorite MAC lip pencil and you're right on-trend!" Harris says.
Notable clients: Tayshia Adams, Ciara Miller, Zuri Hall, Heather McMahan, Jenna Lyons
Kasey Spickard, a celebrity makeup artist, shares another important point: Representation starts when people of marginalized communities are hired, period! "To make the beauty industry more inclusive, hire more gay, lesbian, transgender, and queer people in decision-making positions. It's important for LGBTQIA+ people to be represented both in front of and behind the camera," he says.
For him, Pride is also more than a monthlong celebration. "Pride, to me, means celebrating every aspect of who I am as a gay person," he says. "To me, I'd love to see this reflected in the beauty industry by booking queer talent year-round—not just in the month of June."
"This Pride, I was all about colored eyeliner and super-blushy looks. I love the Maybelline Master Precise liners. They come in super-fun colors!" says Spickard.
"For blush, I am currently addicted to the Maybelline Sunkisser Liquid Blush—it gives the perfect blushy glow!" Spickard says.
Notable clients: Lizzo
Celebrity makeup artist Alexx Mayo also stresses the importance of visibility—it goes a long way in empowering younger generations. "Visibility is everything," he says. "Having more visuals of different types of people is so important to see yourself within the beauty industry. Pride is something I'm fortunate enough to celebrate year-round, but not everyone can do so. Pride is so important [for] celebrating that the way you are is just the way you were meant to be. I would love to see more beauty companies consider this year-round and to be inclusive all the time so people can take pride in being their authentic selves."
"I'm really loving the Half Magic Glitterpuck on the eyes, cheeks, and body. [It's] such a fun way to add a little glitz and glam to any look," Mayo says.
"I also love the Huda Beauty Faux Filler Lip Glosses. They're the juiciest glosses out there, and the applicator gives you the perfect amount of gloss," Mayo says.
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