Welcome to June. Halfway through 2022 and the start of beach getaways, BBQ’s, the last day of school and of course that one special day we honor the impactful men and fathers in our lives. June is also the official PRIDE month for LGBTQ+, to raise awareness, support, and love for this community. Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June, and it is so much more than rainbow flags, sequined outfits and over the top makeup. It is historical. It’s a representation of a community that’s faced trial, hate, and hardship. Pride Month is used to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots on June 28, 1969—the events that led to a national firestorm of activism and elevated the fight for equality.
Throughout the month of June there are celebrations including pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, and concerts, around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. We spend the month of June recognizing the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. It’s also a downright incredible, affirming celebration of all that this community has accomplished.
Large movements in the beauty industry promoting inclusivity may not be well known it has been happening since the 1970s. In 1975 Tracy Norman, the first black transgender model, appeared on a box of Clairol’s “Born Beautiful” hair color and landed an exclusive contract with Avon, but no one knew her secret. Living in fear of being found out Tracy didn’t fully share her story publicly until 2015. As we look around us today, in 2022, we are not where we need to be by any means BUT we have come a long way. Pride Month is a powerful, revolutionizing, unifying cause, and the beauty industry is no stranger to not only joining in but in leading the way. More recently, Covergirl has announced James Charles as the first “Coverboy” while Manny Gutierrez was the first male Maybelline Model. NYX also launched a line with drag queen Aquaria.
While pride month creates a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to show off victories and reflect on challenges, we often see many brands take the opportunity to show support of the LGBTQ+ community. Just as with other months, you see entities jump at any opportunity to put on a performance of allyship with the LGBTQ+ community. Many organizations method of choice? Slapping rainbows onto anything with surface space. While this is a symbol that reflects they are a safe space or a supporter of PRIDE, limited-edition drops that don't typically center the queer experience or support this community, could be using it for their own gain. As we reflect and educate this month, we are kicking off Pride by highlighting a few beauty brands that will ensure your dollars support queer founders for June and beyond.
Don’t stop with these brands though… with a community as varied and diverse as this one, there are plenty to choose from.
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Fluide
- Launched in 2018, Fluide is the brainchild of queer co-founder Isabella Giancarlo and CEO Laura Kraber. It is cruelty free, and it focuses on gender expressions and skin tones. Fluide has everything from lipstick to nail polish, to eye shadow. Many of these products are named after well known (or not so well known) venues that cater to the queer community.
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Jason Wu Beauty
- Founded on the idea that beauty should be effortless and chic, Jason Wu Beauty is comprised of over 25, multiuse products designed to perfect natural beauty. Furthermore, a portion of the proceeds from any purchases made of Jason Wu Beautygoes directly to Gay Men’s Health Crisis.
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KimChi Chic Beauty
- After appearing in the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, Kim Chi has since become regarded as one of the most brilliant makeup artists in the industry today. A portion of all sales are donated to The Trevor Project – an organization that is focused on suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ youth.
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Snif
- Tired of outdated industry standards and making it their mission to simplify shopping for situation scents and fragrances, Phil Riportella and Bryan Edwards launched Snif. This direct-to-consumer genderless scent business has an affordable price point and has a great try before you buy approach.
