LGBTQ Participation in the Cosmetics and Makeup Industry
The cosmetics industry has a long history going back to the Egyptians (and probably earlier). However, it was only in the 1920s that the industry became global and entered into the mainstream consumer market. This was followed by the mod look of the 1960s, the supermodels of the 1990s, and today's very scientific approach to the industry.
The LGBTQ community has always been a part of the cosmetics industry, embracing its creative and artistic side. The beauty industry itself is very diverse and inclusive. Makeup has become a tool of expression, including gender expression.
There is also a commercial culture to the cosmetics industry that has greatly aided the LGBTQ activist community. Leading the way was MAC Cosmetics and its MAC VIVA Glam and MAC AIDS Fund projects. Many of today's small cosmetics companies donate a portion of sales revenues to LGBTQ causes.
Makeup can be a tool of resistance and markers of makeup help LGBTQ individuals identify each other, as noted in the article below. Cosmetic brands have always been closely aligned to the transgender community - this has been well evidenced by reality television creator RuPaul and his global success with his Drag Race series.
Over the past few years there has been an increasing emphasis on creating organic cosmetics. Notable among the founders in this space is Gloria Noto of Noto botanics.
We have identified the following individuals as notable LGBTQ individuals in the cosmetics and makeup industry.
Australia
- Davis Atkin, YouTube makeup artist
- Ruby Rose, spokesperson for Maybelline
Brazil
- Thammy Miranda, spokesperson for Natura
Canada
- Frank Angelo, co-founder of MAC Cosmetics
- Gigi Gorgeous, spokesperson for Revlon
- Vivek Shraya, Brand ambassador for MAC Cosmetics and Pantene
- Frank Toscan, co-founder of MAC Cosmetics
- Brandon Truaxe, Founder and CEO of Deciem
Germany
- Wolfgang Joop, creator of his cosmetics line
- Christine Kaufmann, creator of her cosmetics line
India
- Cyril Feuillebois, Founder and President of Kronokare Cosmetics Pvt Ltd.
Malaysia
- Safiey Ilias, cosmetics business owner
Mexico
- Luis Arturo Aguirre, makeup artist
The Netherlands
- Nikkie de Jager, YouTube makeup artist
Phillipines
- Bretman Rock, YouTube makeup artist
Sweden
- Jean-Pierre Barda, makeup artist
United States
- Kevyn Aucoin, makeup artist
- Derek Chadwick, founder of beauty line Chaddy
- Ellen DeGeneres, spokesperson for CoverGirl
- Drew Elliott, Global Creative Director, MAC Cosmetics
- Isabella Giancarlo, co-founder of Fluide
- Jason Grenfell-Gardner, manufacturer of cosmetics
- Laura Kraber, co-founder of Fluide
- Amanda Lepore, model for MAC Cosmetics
- Dylan Mulvaney, spokesperson for Maybelline
- Gloria Noto, founder of Noto botanics
- David Frank Ray, makeup artist, founder - Beauty Artists Hall of Fame, creative director of several cosmetic lines
- RuPaul, spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics
- Jeffree Star, makeup artist, Jeffree Star Cosmetics
See Also
- Expert LGBTQ Perfumers
- LGBTQ Jewellery Designers
- Gay Menswear Fashion Designers
- Creative Directors of Fashion Houses Who Are LGBTQ
- Prominent Furniture Designers Who Identify as LGBTQ
- LGBTQ Interior Designers