Beauty as an industry and an art form, can be skincare, makeup, haircare, and wellness. It has become a way for so many to express themselves and allow them to find their true self. This made me interested in the impact beauty has on different communities. I had the pleasure of interviewing four current SCAD students who identify as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The individuals interviewed span several different majors and identities. Sarah is a fashion marketing student, B. is a photographer and model studying at SCAD, Tess is an illustration student and makeup artist, and Alyssa is a Business of beauty and Fragrance student.
What are your preferred sexual orientation and gender identity? (Optional)
Sarah: My sexual orientation is pansexual, and I identify as nonbinary (they/them pronouns).
B: Genderfluid.
Tess: I identify as bisexual and nonbinary.
How is beauty an important part of your daily life? Could you share a beauty essential you can’t live without?
Sarah: I find that just clothing isn’t enough to express my identity as there is still a perceived idea of gender in clothing. Beauty, primarily makeup, lets me experiment and make myself into whatever I feel is right for me. I can’t live without the KVD Beauty Lock-It Foundation; it gives me the perfect smooth base for all types of looks.
B: I use makeup to enhance the masculine and feminine parts of my face at my discretion. Skincare is the foundation, though. I really like Clean and Clears dual action moisturizer.
Tess: My beauty routine is important to me because it lets me set up how I want to be perceived and the lens that I see myself through. It allows me to craft an expression of myself that can be feminine, masculine, or just purely art. My essentials will always include brow gel and cream blush for shaping the face. Also, the Sugarpill eyeshadows have so many color options for creating art!
Alyssa: Beauty and wellness are a big part of my daily life. I am studying it and hope to make a career for myself in the industry. It’s also a part of my daily routine and mentally prepares me for the day, and offers me a safe practice at the end of the day. I definitely have two products that I won’t leave the house without using: sunscreen and chapstick.
Has your medium of beauty helped you discover yourself? How does it allow you to express yourself freely?
Sarah: Beauty allows me to project the way I identify outwardly. It gives me the chance to explore my identity in my way. Over the years, the concept of gender-neutral makeup has become more and more acceptable.
B: Makeup or a lack thereof helps you to express yourself in that exact moment. Sometimes a bare face and clear skin are all I need to feel confident and masculine.
Tess: I started viewing my face not as something that needed to be beautified but as the ultimate canvas. As I became more comfortable with my gender identity (or lack thereof, lol), I started taking this a lot further. I could be a woman, a man, a flower, a fish, whatever I wanted through my face. And everyone has to look at it and acknowledge my art as me. I think this really boosted my confidence in myself and my presentation to the world.
Alyssa: It definitely has. Growing up, I was the typical tomboy, and once it clicked for me that I wasn’t straight, I think I subconsciously started looking for other ways to adhere to societal norms and began wearing makeup every day, in a way that really relied on the male gaze. As I’ve grown into myself, I’ve seen my use of personal care products change, and I now prioritize skincare over makeup. And if I am using makeup, it’s because I want to, not because I feel that I have to.
As someone part of the LGBTQIA+ community, do you feel supported and represented in the beauty industry? If yes, which brands would you endorse for the same?
Sarah: In terms of representation, brands like Fenty Beauty include everyone regardless of gender or sexual orientation. I feel like the beauty community is one of the more accepting communities when it comes to gender.
B: Considering its pride month, I’ve seen many beauty brands using the rainbow on their products and heard no word of where that money is going or if it’s being used to benefit queer youth.
Tess: I started wearing makeup right around the time where male influencers were a big “trend,” At the time, it seemed like a big step. I don’t really think that anymore. Beyond shade ranges, I think it’s important to show a wide range of application styles and genders in marketing. I think a brand that I have loved for years, Sugarpill does an excellent job working with the queer community. They support drag artists and queer artistry in general with their color range, models, and Instagram branding.
Alyssa: Yes and no, but I see plenty of representation for myself as a white person, so I don’t find it bothering me. I think Fluide and MAC offer representation and support for the community. Fluide maintains a very inclusive feed and MAC Viva Glam which they have had since 1994.
Lastly, what do you think brands in the beauty industry can do differently?
Sarah: Things brands could start doing better are eliminating gendered phrases and ideas of beauty. If a brand doesn’t include gender when selling/advertising its products, it encourages a safe space for others and shows other brands the possibilities.
B: Market and produce with integrity. I think lush does a good job of this.
Tess: As we advance, I would like to see the idea of influencers disappear. The beauty industry can take notes and inspiration from their more everyday clients that use their products to express who they are, regardless of skill level or professional camera work.
Alyssa: I think brands need to continue to push for diversity in terms of the skin tone of their models. We still rarely see dark-skinned black people present on-brand social media pages. After they finally get that solidified, I think it would be great to represent the queer community with more inclusivity than showing and collaborating with gay white men as their token queer person on the timeline.
Beauty truly is a community, and hearing from people who use beauty in different ways was incredibly inspiring and impactful. The industry has miles to go when it comes to inclusivity. However, beauty is for everyone and should not be limited to a specific gender, sexual orientation, and race.
Special thanks to Sarah Fae, B.Ray, Tess Blysak and Alyssa Smalley
Interview by Annika Petersen.
Graphic by Audrey Nathania.