Stranger Things Star Millie Bobby Brown’s Latest Collab Is All About Personal Style

Millie Bobby Brown likes to keep busy. Between serving up major style inspo for her 42 million followers on Instagram, the two-time Emmy-nominated actor, beauty entrepreneur (see: Florence by Mills), and youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF is constantly evolving in her roles. Now, she can tack jewellery curator onto that list.

The Gen Z star, who has served as an ambassador for Pandora Me since 2019, has once again teamed up with the Danish jewellery brand to front its latest Pandora Me line, a playful and ultra-customizable collection that’s all about telling personal stories through jewellery.

Brown’s favourite charms from the collection? “The My Girl Pride dangle charm is super special to me because women are beautiful, powerful and strong,” she says. “Another favourite is the My Music Note dangle charm, since music has a huge place in my heart. I listen to music every day and it has helped me through good times and challenging times.” Finally, she loves the blue crystal-encrusted My Moon dangle charm: “The first blue moon was on February 19, 2004, which also happens to be the day I was born!” For more of Brown’s top summer Pandora picks, head to the brand’s website here.

We caught up with the Stranger Things and Enola Holmes star to chat about all things jewellery, personal style, and the upcoming projects she’s most excited about.

 

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On style and self-discovery

“Style is so personal and ever-changing. I’m a firm believer that everyone should wear something they feel comfortable and beautiful in, and that can always evolve. Creating and collaborating has been part of my self-discovery journey, from my clothes to my jewellery to Florence by Mills. I always try to stay true to myself. Be brave! Be you!”

On acting as a form of self-expression

“Acting is what I love to do, and I feel fortunate to have had that clarity from such a young age. I love telling stories and playing different characters, and I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a family and team who encourage my creativity and let me express myself through many different avenues: acting, fashion, beauty. But I’m still growing, I’m still learning and I’m still discovering myself.”

On getting creative during quarantine

“I love music. Over the past year or so in lockdown, my brother and I have been in the studio messing around and writing songs, which has been really fun.”

 

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On her upcoming projects

“I’m obviously very excited for fans to see Stranger Things 4, I know the anticipation has been building for some time now! Eleven has been such an incredible and challenging character to play, and I can’t wait for the fans to see what happens next. I’m also really excited to begin working on the sequel to Enola Holmes, which we recently announced.”

On designing a charm for Eleven

“Interesting question! It would have to be something iconic and powerful.”

 

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On her accessory style

“I love to accessorize with jewellery. I also love pieces that hold meaning or remind you of a special person or time in your life. I’m obsessed with the Pandora Me earrings; hoops are my go-to. Adding charms makes them feel so personal. I also like to layer my Pandora bracelets with different charms.”

On being the face of Pandora Me

“Growing up, Pandora was where I got a lot of my jewellery. I’d use my pocket money to buy pieces for myself or my friends. As a fan of the brand, it felt like a natural fit. I love the Pandora brand because it allows you to personalize gifts, whether it’s for yourself or someone you love. There’s something meaningful for everyone — a charm or a piece of jewellery that resonates and feels special.”

On her personal good luck charm

“My family. They are my rock, my support, and my biggest champions.”

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Toronto-Based Beauty Artist Robert Weir on What Pride Past, Present and Future Mean to Him

Hailing from the suburbs of Toronto meant Robert Weir largely didn’t feel at home in his life. “It was a time when just being yourself was dangerous,” the creative recalls. “If you walked down the street looking ‘effeminate,’ that was enough to get your ass kicked.”

Despite the situational strife — and with the acknowledgement that there are still hate crimes committed against the LGBTQ2S+ community everywhere every day — there was one beaming light that Weir witnessed each summer that made him feel there was the potential for freedom just within reach. “Pride was a beacon,” he says of Toronto’s parade and adjacent events. “Before I ever went, I’d see bits of it on TV. I’d think, I want to be there. If I could get there, I’d be safe and free. That’s what it symbolized for me, and what I hope it still does for people.”

Weir reflects on his initial outings to Church Street — the epicentre of the city’s “official” Pride observance — and notes that he was “lucky that I could share those experiences with a friend. Some people had to leave home and everyone they knew, and wound up [there] having to figure it out by themselves.”

Pride month has now become decentralized in a way, not only because of the COVID-19 crisis, but because the online reach of activities can surpass prescribed locations. Weir is particularly sensitive to the lives of LGBTQ2S+ people around the world given his Jamaican ancestry, and hopes the broadening momentum of Pride festivities and corporate responsibility intertwine to bring about more visibility and real change in years to come.

 

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“I know some people are wondering why big banks and [other] corporations need to be involved,” Weir says. “But I think anything that makes Pride big enough so that teenagers in Russia and in Jamaica…for queer and trans people in Nigeria to see it and know that there’s hope. It’s important that we do a very loud Pride when we can.”

He also hopes that once Pride returns in a more robust physical manifestation in the future it retains the openness and something-for-everyone vibe that’s been cultivated over recent years — particularly given the scope of Pride-centric programming that became available over the last month. Weir notes that a rise in entertainment focused on LGBQT2S+ communities has affirmed his notion that, “Pride is in your heart, and wherever you want to be.”

Here, he pauses to consider how far his life has come, professionally as an artist whose done photo shoots around the globe, and personally as a gay man happy to witness change while feeling heartache for those still suffering.

“I was watching Pose the other day and looking at that cast and their talent and abilities and thinking that never would have happened when I was a kid, not like this,” Weir says. “It feels like progress. It can be 10 steps forward and three back, and then you go around a corner. But I feel optimistic. I see that when Black trans women die in the U.S., it doesn’t go unspoken anymore. People are outraged — finally. And I look at the progress in Jamaica with organizations like J-Flag, who are doing the work day-to-day, and at what Rainbow Railroad here in Canada is doing. I’m sure that’s been hard during the pandemic, but they bring people here so they can be safe. It feels good.”

 

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Weir says one day he would love to be able to meet folks who have come to Canada to live more freely and experience the same joy he has; one that makes him miss IRL Pride greatly. “That feeling of being around my chosen family — people who love me for my weird, queer, Black self,” as he describes it, adding that no matter how your Pride looks, though, it’s still relevant and important.

“It’s a spirit that started back at Stonewall [Inn] in 1969,” he says. “It’s everyone who fought and who died for things that I hope one day young people don’t even think about. They can just go out and live.”

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How To Show Your Allyship and Support for LGBTQ+ Communities During Pride Month — and Beyond

Pride Month is coming to a close, but allyship and support for LGBTQ+ communities is needed all year round. Below you’ll find all sorts of ways you can continue the support you cultivated throughout Pride Month, from shopping and making donations to watching TV (seriously).

Donate directly to queer folks

One of the best things you can do to support LGBTQ+ communities is to skip the middle person and support queers directly. If you follow lots of queer folks on social media, it’s likely you’re already part of a mutual-support network and frequently see calls for donations to help individuals out when they’re going through hardships — financial and otherwise. This is what’s commonly known as mutual aid; a community-driven approach to offering folks in a tight spot goods, services, cash, and other forms of support rather than an every person for themselves mindset.

If mutual aid is new to you, GoFundMe is a great place to start. The fundraising site has a bevy of queer causes you can donate to, from a current fundraiser to keep Winnipeg’s only gay bar, Club 200, alive to ones for individual queers in precarious situations.

GoFundMe has already paid out $100,000 this year for people fundraising for gender reassignment surgeries (GrS) and has a whole section of its site with a guide to current fundraisers for GrS. Canadian provinces cover the hard costs of GrS, but feminizing procedures like breast augmentations and facial feminization are not covered by Canadian healthcare. Having surgery also means taking time to recover, which means lost wages for many trans folks. This is a particular challenge because trans people already experience poverty at disproportionate levels; a 2015 study found the median income for trans people in Canada was just $15,000 at the time.

You’ll also find groups like the Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance (TKBA) on GoFundMe. The organization produces balls in Toronto (think Pose and Legendary) but it also creates ample opportunities for LGBT Black and Brown youth, some of whom experience problems like homelessness and food insecurity. TKBA is a truly grassroots organization that’s on the ground supporting and uplifting BIPOC queer youth.

Support queer businesses and content

A stroll through the Pink Pages directory will prove that no matter what product or service you’re looking for, there’s likely a queer person selling it. There’s also Canada’s queer-owned and run Flamingo Market, an online marketplace for LGBTQSIA+ artists where you can pick up everything from Pride-themed Indigenous beadwork to harnesses and penis-shaped candles.

For music, cruise the queer tag on Bandcamp, where you can stream and purchase music directly from creators. Yohomo’s Spotify playlist of queer Canadian artists is another treasure trove of great queer content. My personal Pride playlist this year includes Rina Sawayama, Sofia Fly, and Tafari Anthony — loads of bops from all three.

Watching TV shows and films with queer characters is an easy, fun way to discover new viewpoints from the LBTQ+ community, but try to seek out content from queer writers, directors, and creators. Australia’s Please Like Me (streaming on Netflix), Canada’s Queens (streaming free on CBC Gem), and Lena Waithe’s show Twenties (BET) are all good examples. OutTVGo, available for $3.99 through its own site or via Amazon Prime, has a deep catalogue of queer-created content you’re not likely to find elsewhere like British show Banana and its sister series Cucumber, the trans panel show translation, and the Canadian documentary Snow Queen. It’s also got Drag Race, but if you love that show, consider supporting drag beyond RuPaul by watching drag shows on Twitch channels like The House Royale, Madelynn Hatter, and Speakeasy TV. And don’t forget to tip your digital performers!

Show your support with your ballot

One of the most effective — and free! — ways to support queer folks all year round is by holding politicians accountable for how they treat the LGBTQ+ community. This starts with looking up platforms on campaign sites during election season and checking out politicians’ approaches to LGBTQ+ issues. If you don’t see anything on their site, there might be a reason why — reach out and ask.

There’s research that shows LGBTQ+ issues don’t rank highly among Canadians’ concerns when they head to the polls. Being an ally means helping to change this by advocating for issues that impact us, like police brutality against queer people. The group ProudPolitics showcases queer candidates for office in Canada, but their platforms need double checked, too — being queer doesn’t automatically mean your actions support other queers.

If you’re looking to put your allyship into action, one of the best places to start is the “Action” section of Egale’s website, which has information about a range of issues including solidarity with Indigenous communities, safer and accepting schools, and the organization’s challenge to the constitutionality of aesthetic surgeries on interesex infants and children. Egale provides the reliable information you’ll need to write to your elected officials about queer topics — and a petition about nearly every topic you’ll see is a quick Google away.

Donate directly to an organization

The world’s longest-running queer bookstore, Toronto’s Glad Day Book Shop, is far more than a store. The business has transformed into a queer community builder and a venue for everything from drag shows to poetry readings and political events. The pandemic has put Glad Day in a difficult position financially, which makes now an excellent time to donate to Glad Day Lit. The fund both helps to keeps the business open and also supports queer folks directly through its Emergency Survival Fund, which offers grants, no-interest loans, and paid work to LGBTQ2S artists, performers and tip-based workers.

In terms of mid- and large-size organizations that support queer folks, Rainbow Railroad is one of the absolute best. The global organization helps LGTBQI+ people facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. According to Rainbow Railroad, the group has helped 1,600 LGBTQI+ individuals find safety through emergency relocation — often to Canada. If you’re in the market for some bright, bold pop art, XPOSED and Yorkville Village have curated an “immersive colour experience” called CRUSH featuring works by six queer Canadian artists this Pride and 100 percent of the proceeds go to Rainbow Railroad.

In the U.S., there’s The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a policy-driven group that was on the forefront of marriage equality and is now campaigning for the Equality Act to pass through congress. Beyond policy campaigns, HRC has a series of programs that support LGBTQ individuals, allies, and institutions.

And on a global level there’s amfAR, an organization with the goal of making AIDS history. This is done through research, which helped pave the way for the COVID-19 vaccines, advocating for public policy, and offering reliable, science-based information to the public.

Whatever organization you choose, remember monthly donations offer the most impact and cut down on costs for the charity, meaning more of your dollars will end up actually helping the cause.

The post How To Show Your Allyship and Support for LGBTQ+ Communities During Pride Month — and Beyond appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

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Scarlett Johansson Joins Growing List Of Celebs With Their Own Beauty Brands

Despite the unpredictable nature of our turbulent world, one thing we can always count on are celebrity beauty brands — they just keep coming! The newest addition to the extensive list of celebs-turned-beauty-CEOs is none other than Scarlett Johansson.

As reported by WWD, the Marvel star secured funding for her brand from the Najafi Companies, a private equity firm that has also backed Tracee Ellis Ross’s hair care brand Pattern Beauty and Kendall Jenner’s dental health line Moon Oral Care. Johansson is founding the line alongside beauty executive Kate Foster, who has previously worked with brands like Victoria’s Secret and Juicy Couture. Johannson will be the founder and chairman of the brand, which is set for release in early 2022.

Specific products from the line have not yet been announced, but if you’re looking to get your celebrity beauty fix in before then, don’t fret. There’s already a long list of celebs who’ve ventured into the beauty industry with lines of their own, including JLo, Olivia Palermo, Kim Kardashian West, Kylie Jenner, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Selena Gomez, and Rihanna.

As for what newness or innovation ScarJo’s products will bring to an already crowded industry, it’s too soon to tell. In a statement announcing the line, the actor said she’s been “fascinated by the transformative power of beauty” since she was little, and that her brand will be “a clean, accessible approach to beauty.” The announcement added that Johansson will be “intimately involved with every aspect of the company” to employ her creativity and steer the vision for the brand.

The award-winning Hollywood star is no stranger to beauty-related gigs. She has previously worked as an ambassador for L’Oréal Paris and Dolce & Gabbana’s fragrance line. This is the first time, however, that she’ll be in control as brand founder. Though the market doesn’t necessarily need yet another celebrity beauty line, we’re intrigued by what’s to come from this endeavour. Be sure to check back here for details as they’re released!

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Jamie Lynn Spears Has Broken Her Silence on Britney Spears’s Conservatorship

As #FreeBritney continues to dominate social media amid horrifying new details about Britney Spears’s ongoing conservatorship, her sister Jamie Lynn Spears is finally speaking out. The actor, 30, took to Instagram on June 28 to weigh in after Britney’s viral day in court last week where she opened up about the harm the conservatorship has caused her.

“I just want to take a second to address a few things,” Jamie Lynn said in a series of videos on her Instagram Story. “The only reason I hadn’t before is because I felt like until my sister was able to speak for herself and say what she felt she needed to say publicly that it wasn’t my place and it wasn’t the right thing to do. But now that she’s very clearly spoken and said what she needed to say, I feel like I can follow her lead and say what I feeI I need to say. Since the day I was born, I’ve only loved adored and supported my sister. I mean this is my freaking big sister, before any of this bullshit.”

During her June 23 virtual court appearance, 39-year-old Britney Spears described disturbing details of the 13-year conservatorship that gives her father almost total power in her life. According to her statement, she has been overworked without breaks, put on the antidepressant drug lithium against her will and has even been forced to keep in an IUD to prevent pregnancy. She requested an end to the conservatorship and said, “My dad and anyone involved in this conservatorship, including my management, they should be in jail.”

Britney emphasized that while she endured this exploitation under her father’s supervision, her “whole family did nothing.” She said: “My family has lived off my conservatorship for 13 years,” adding that she would like to sue them. The internet has since been taken over by #FreeBritney sentiments, with many people pointing the finger at her younger sister Jamie Lynn, suspecting that she has been complicit and even involved in the alleged abuse. After it was revealed last summer that Jamie Lynn was made the official trustee of Britney’s multi-million dollar fortune, fans have called out the younger Spears for being motivated by the cash. TikTok and Twitter users have accused Jamie Lynn of sending $600 million from Britney’s trust to her business manager, Lou Taylor, after being given control of Britney’s finances (though this has not been confirmed by FASHION).

@tythecrazyguyThis GENUINELY is crazy and made me so upset. @jamielynnspears we’re onto you♬ original sound – TY

Without addressing these claims directly in her Instagram videos, Jamie Lynn seemingly denied any business involvement in Britney’s conservatorship. “I don’t care if she wants to run away to a rainforest and have a zillion babies in the middle of nowhere, or if she wants to come back and dominate the world like she has so many times before. Because I have nothing to gain or lose either way. This situation does not affect me either way because I’m only her sister who’s only concerned about her happiness. I’ve made a very conscious choice in my life to only participate in her life as her sister and an aunt to her boys.”

Though Jamie Lynn has seldom spoken out about her sister’s mental health, the two have supported each other publicly over the years. Britney took Jamie Lynn under her wing when she followed in her older sister’s footsteps by entering the entertainment industry at a young age, and Britney has said she’s always been protective over her younger sibling.

Jamie Lynn has been on the receiving end of internet criticism since Britney’s court appearance, with some fans asking why she hasn’t spoken out about her sister’s dire situation over the years. Along with disabling the comments on her recent Instagram posts, she addressed these accusations in her video.

“Maybe I didn’t support her the way the public would like me to, with a hashtag on a public platform, but I can assure you that I’ve supported my sister long before there was a hashtag, and I’ll support her long after. Know that… Not that I owe the public anything, because my sister knows I love and support her. That’s the only person I owe anything to. I’m not my family; I’m my own person. I’m speaking for myself,” she said.

Some #FreeBritney supporters are saying that Jamie Lynn Spears’s account doesn’t match her sister’s, who called out her “whole family” for being complicit during her court testimony. The social media jury is out on whether Jamie Lynn is at fault — but many seem to believe that she is, at least in part.

JAMIE LYNN… "My sister knows i love and support her"

BRITNEY SPEARS… "My whole family did nothing"

"My family has lived off my conservatorship for 13 years"

"I would honestly like to sue my family, to be totally honest with you" pic.twitter.com/COUV3SSUP4

— Militante do Free Britney 🏳️‍🌈🔱🦊 (@pedrolabredot) June 28, 2021

 

Jamie Lynn finished her video statement by saying she is proud of her sister for speaking out, and that she has always supported her behind closed doors. “If ending the conservatorship or flying to Mars or whatever the hell else she wants to do to be happy, I support that 100 percent, because I support my sister. I love my sister. Always have, always will. As long as she’s happy. So, let’s keep praying.”

The post Jamie Lynn Spears Has Broken Her Silence on Britney Spears’s Conservatorship appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

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We Spoke to Hairstylists About Gender-Neutral Haircare and the Products They Love

“Hair has never had a gender,” says hairstylist James Pecis. The stylist and Oribe global ambassador, who can be found backstage at fashion week and on set for editorial photoshoots, would certainly know. He’s worked his gender-neutral haircare magic on the likes of Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford, David Beckham, Kendall Jenner, Alexander McQueen and Gigi Hadid. “There are [different] textures, colours, lengths, densities and styles, but [none of] that has anything to do with gender.”

The stripping away of gender labels has infiltrated the worlds of skincare, nail art, fashion, and even makeup, leaving only haircare to follow suit. “The makeup and skincare industries have pivoted their marketing a lot over the last few years as a response to a growing shift in their consumers wants and behaviours, and the haircare industry is catching on [with gender-neutral haircare products],” says Ashley Brewsmith, founder and creative director of Toronto’s The Proudest Pony Salon (and just-launched line of sustainable products of the same name).

“Marketing has taken a while to catch up to this because of idealized social norms that have caused more harm than good,” says Pecis. “I’ve never thought of any product being specific to a gender and when I see companies supporting that narrative, I just think they’re out of touch.” Oribe co-founder and president Daniel Kaner adds that the brand “has always been about self-expression and creating products that are tools to allow people of all genders and hair textures to express themselves.” He adds that late co-founder, Oribe Canales “viewed hair as an art form, and we’re still focused on that artistry, regardless of gender.”

Celebrity hairstylist and recently announced brand ambassador for KMS and Goldwell Harry Josh, who works with Lily Aldrige, Priyanka Chopra and Gisele Bündchen, believes that “all brands can be considered genderless because it’s really the efficacy and formula of a product that dictates its performance, no matter who it’s being used on.”

So why the lag when it comes to the salon industry adopting a more gender-neutral approach to in-salon services? Josh says he doesn’t “see that haircare is quite at the point of genderless branding and marketing because there’s still a difference between the styling needs of men and women, especially since women are colouring their hair more often then men, resulting in specific needs for haircare and styling.” Josh says that, given the industry’s unpredictable nature, perhaps hourly pricing rather than pricing based on services could be in the salon industry’s near future in a more widespread way.

Back in Toronto, Brewsmith says she has always operated her salon on the basis of gender-neutral haircare. “Our salon offers gender-free pricing, and our shampoo and conditioning bars are designed for anyone looking for a high-quality hair product that is sustainable and better for the planet,” says Brewsmith. “I’ve always strongly believed in charging for the work I do. If I give someone a short haircut, their gender shouldn’t play a role in how I price that service. The same goes for long hair or hair colour.”

Shop some of our favourite gender-neutral haircare products below.

1/6

Nutriplenish Curl Gelée

($35, Aveda)

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2/6

KMS Add Volume Solid Shampoo Bar

($21, Chatters)

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3/6

Oribe Tres Set Structure Hair Spray

($57, Sephora)

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4/6

Redeemer Conditioning Bar

($28, The Proudest Pony)

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5/6

Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

($89, K18)

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6/6

Adwoa Beauty Baomint Leave In Conditioning Styler

($35, Sephora)

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Carmen Carrera on Life After RuPaul’s Drag Race and Being a Trans Activist

If you watched the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race (which aired back in 2011), we bet it was instantly obvious that Carmen Carrera was a star. After the show aired, Carrera came out as transgender and began her transition in the public eye. That was just the beginning for the multi-hyphenate performer and activist, who has since signed with Elite Model Management, established a flourishing acting career and become an icon in the Latinx and LGBTQ+ communities — to name just a few of her accomplishments.

We caught up with Carrera over Zoom to learn more about her latest projects, her journey post-RuPaul’s Drag Race and her advice for anyone who’s at the start of their transition. We even got her to spill some of her top beauty secrets, including her can’t-live-without-them skincare picks.

On her transition after RuPaul’s Drag Race

“When I was on RuPaul’s Drag Race, I knew that I was going to transition after the show. So I wanted to do the show, not because I wanted to win, but I wanted to be a proper representation for my local community back home. My objective was to create a time capsule. I wanted to remember that time in my life, because I knew after that, my life was going to change. At the time, there wasn’t a lot of transgender representation, so I was a bit nervous. When I was performing and doing drag, there’d been such an amazing presence of trans people [in my community]. I was always surrounded by trans people — especially trans women — and I was really inspired by the glamorous, femme fatale energy of the trans women that would do pageants.”

On transitioning in the public eye

“Transitioning in public was definitely not what I was expecting. I was really shocked to see how much ignorance existed, even within my own community. That’s what pushed me to be more of an activist and speak up on the harsh reality that a lot of trans women experience. Being signed with a modelling agency as their first trans model was groundbreaking but I was still being objectified because I was trans, so I really wanted to change the narrative in the media. I wanted to show people my humanity, because that can get lost a lot of the time.”

On the work that still needs to be done

“I’m not the only one who wants to change the narrative. It’s been everyone’s hard work, everyone that’s been willing to put their image out in the forefront and talk about these experiences [being objectified as trans people], with or without fear. I think that’s where I’ve seen the biggest change. More and more people are becoming open and aware and are receiving [trans people] in a [better] way. Moving forward, the work that needs to be done is to let people in on our vulnerability, but in a way that is less alienating and is more loving. I’m speaking about storylines in movies and in TV. Now we’ve got to show people where we fit in the world. We’ve got to show them how to embrace us and what we’re capable of.”

Her advice for anyone who is at the start of their transition

“If you’re at the beginning of your transition, take your time. For me, I wanted to get everything done so fast, because I thought I knew how to handle those things. But to evolve and become the person that you want to be, that person you see yourself as, it takes a while. It’s a process for every human being, trans or not, to be that amazing [version of yourself], and to go through your phases and to learn your lessons. Just know that if you take care of yourself, and you have a great support system in your family or your friends, you’re going to be okay. Take every day as a blessing and let yourself grow and bloom. Love yourself through the process so that when you do get to your end goal, you have your own sense of value.”

On if she’d ever appear on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars

“I love going on tour and I love the show. It’s where I come from; it’s where my heart is. I don’t know if there’d be a place for me, but I’m not going to rule it out. I would love to go back on stage, and I’d love to see my community again because that’s where I got a lot of my strength. I really miss that connection and I miss seeing my people. So, if it takes me having to go and do this competition, I just might.”

On her upcoming role in Trans Los Angeles

“Trans Los Angeles is the debut feature film by transgender writer/director Kase Peña. It’s a four-part feature, like an anthology of short films in one, and my segment is called Period. I play Vergara, a sex worker who just got out of jail and is wanting to make a change in her life. She’s looking for ways to transition from one lifestyle to the next and she’s constantly reminded of her past. She’s working through that just to be able to find the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s an inspiring story and I was really happy to play her because a lot of the time, we don’t see the trans character’s storyline end in success. It’s always a similar scenario with no real ending — the character just disappears. This role is definitely going to push people to understand that regardless of what we go through, there’s always a chance for a new beginning.”

On her dream co-star

“I’d love to work with a Latina actress, like Sofia Vergara, Eva Longoria or Jennifer Lopez. That would be huge for me, just because I really want to open up the conversation of trans women finding a connection to their Latina mother and I can speak from my own personal experience growing up in that culture. I’d love to be able to see that on film.”

On how her relationship with beauty has evolved over the years

“When I first got into makeup, I was doing my mom’s makeup, my sister’s makeup, my cousin’s makeup. I wanted to make everybody stunning. I was obsessed with Beyoncé and JLo’s makeup artist, Scott Barnes — I wanted to give everybody that glow. I was really popular at the M.A.C counter where I worked; I was constantly booked. Aside from working at M.A.C, I was also doing makeup on myself and my friends for drag shows. On stage, I exuded confidence and energy and that blossomed into having a drag career and being on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Over the years, I’ve learned that makeup and beauty is your power, especially when you’re going out in the world — you have to have your armour ready. At the same time, I want to feel good about myself when I wear makeup, but also when I don’t.”

On the best beauty tip she’s picked up on set

“Honestly, cream foundation. If you use a kabuki brush and buff it into your skin, you look like a million dollars. I don’t know if that’s old school and maybe everybody knows that already but that’s one of the tips I’ve picked up. It sort of makes you look like you have more collagen in your skin.”

On how she’s approaching Pride this year

“This Pride is a little iffy because there are still a lot of events that are cancelled. So what I’ve been doing is trying to build up the morale of my community and remind everyone how awesome we are. Uplifting people is really important. Now more than ever, it’s about inspiring the community because we’ve got to crawl before we can walk, before we can twirl again. This Pride is like a teaser, because so many things are opening up, but we’re not at 100 percent yet. People are still a little traumatized from being on lockdown and being so fearful that in order for us to get back to being free-spirited and expressing ourselves and being who we’ve always been, it’s going to take a little time. In my personal experience, the pandemic has really humbled me. It’s put me in a place that, if something bad were to happen again, I’m stronger now.”

Carmen Carrera’s skincare must-haves

“I try to use them once or twice a week.”

“An oldie but goodie. I use this serum right after I use the Dennis Gross peel. In a few hours, I look fab.”

“I'm using JLo Beauty right now and I really like it. I like the way it smells fresh. I've seen a difference in my skin, and this is only my first jar. I use the gel moisturizer during the day before my makeup and it really holds moisture in my skin.”

“At nighttime, I always use this Kiehl’s moisturizer. I literally swear by it. Even if I switch up my daytime moisturizer, I just always use this one at night because it works.”

1/4

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel

($115, Sephora)

Buy Now

2/4

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum

($95, Sephora)

Buy Now

3/4

JLo Beauty That Big Screen Hydrating Day Cream

($72, Sephora)

Buy Now

4/4

Super Multi-Corrective Cream

($90, Kiehl's)

Buy Now

The post Carmen Carrera on Life After <em>RuPaul’s Drag Race</em> and Being a Trans Activist appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

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Zendaya Pays Tribute to Beyoncé at the BET Awards

Cue the wind machine — Zendaya is back with another jaw-dropping celebrity fashion tribute, this time to none other than Beyoncé.

Two months after channelling Cher in highlighter yellow Valentino at the 2021 Oscars, the Euphoria star turned it out at the 2021 BET Awards in Los Angeles with an epic nod to Ms. Knowles. Styled by longtime collaborator Law Roach, Zendaya wore an archival Versace look to the in-person event that was once worn by Beyoncé herself. “Paying homage to the Queen Beyoncé wearing @versace SS2003 ….. get you a stylist with a ARCHIVE!!!!” wrote Roach on Instagram.

 

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A post shared by Law Roach (@luxurylaw)

Queen Bey wore a mini-dress version of the cut-out gown to perform “Crazy in Love” at the 2003 BET Awards, an event that also marked her debut as a solo artist. Beyoncé performed her first post-Destiny Child hit with her soon-to-be husband Jay-Z (the pair got married in 2008) in the ethereal purple dress from Versace’s spring 2003 collection.

Photography by Steve Grayson/WireImage for BET Entertainment via Getty Images

Zendaya wore a longer version of the gown with over 31 carats of Bulgari yellow and white diamonds and purple Stuart Weitzman heels. The 24-year-old star kept her beauty look simple with glossy lips and a long, sleek, center-parted ponytail.

The 2021 BET Awards were a fashionable affair, with other high-fashion moments including Lil Nas X in Richard Quinn, Lil Kim in Prada and Cardi B in Dolce & Gabbana — to announce her second pregnancy, no less.

 

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A post shared by Zendaya (@zendaya)

As the saying goes, Zendaya (and Law Roach) always understand the assignment.

The post Zendaya Pays Tribute to Beyoncé at the BET Awards appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

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