CELEBRATING THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY ISN'T EXCLUSIVE TO JUNE AT NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP. HERE WE UPLIFT, SUPPORT, CHEER ON, AND SHOWCASE PRIDE AND ALL IT STANDS FOR 365-DAYS A YEAR.
The LGBTQIA+ Community is a pillar of who we are, how many of our team identify and a beautifully diverse and colorful group we are proud to call our brothers, sisters, parents, friends. Our goal is to spread the importance of allyship and how we can continue to stand together united for equality, progression, growth, and empathetic inclusivity.
NYX Professional Makeup is known for pushing the envelope showcasing aspirational, inclusive beauty in our vibrant campaigns, crafting glittering looks in the Ballroom scene and inspiring education and growth through PRO Artistry looks that punctuate each color of the Progress Pride Flag.
The Rainbow Flag was originally designed in 1978 by Artist, Activist, Drag Queen, Gilbert Baker, who, under the advisement of Harvey Milk, wanted to create a symbol for the community that was inspired from rainbows—“natural flags found in the sky”.
“Our job as Gay people was to come out, be visible, to live in the truth, as I say, to get out of the lie. A flag really fit that mission, because that’s a way of proclaiming your visibility or saying, ‘This is who I am!’
–Gilbert Baker
As the LGBTQIA+ community is ever evolving, so does the flag. In 2018, non-binary Artist Daniel Quasar updated the original design to include elements of the Transgender Flag, Philly Pride Flag and the iconic Rainbow Flag.
“I wanted to shift focus and emphasis to what is important in our current community climate.”
–Daniel Quasar
Thus, the Progress Pride Flag was born.
The overlaid Trans and BIPOC stripes are in a triangle on top of the rainbow to draw focus to these sub-communities who are marginalized to this day and need all our support to stand up for their safety, freedom and equality.
Because for us, it’s not just about artistry, it’s also allyship and representing the vibrancy within our community. This year, in partnership with the Los Angeles LGBT Center, we took the Progress Pride Flag to new heights, illuminating the meaning behind each stripe with bold PRO artistry that showcases bright pigments, painterly strokes and glittering accents.
Ahead you’ll learn the meaning of each color within the flag and be inspired to rock the look yourself.
MANJARY (THEY/THEM)
RED=Life
Living life passionately is symbolized by the red stripe on the Progress Pride Flag. It's symbolic of our vital life force, of the beginning of our journey, blood and passion. Meet Manjary, who embodies this bold monochromatic look. Sharp winged liner and free form graphic line accents encapsulate Manjary’s quick wit and unapologetic approach to life. For them, rocking red reminds them about their journey to love themselves and fully embracing their sexuality. "I identify as bisexual. I have loving people around me who have supported this journey and have made me feel accepted,” says Manjary.
JUSTICE (SHE/HER)
ORANGE=Healing
Progress Pride flags have an orange stripe to represent fun and celebration, two key elements which bring forth healing and community. Growing and glowing, Justice’s draped blush in bright coral, persimmon, and pomegranate shades is worth celebrating. The seamless way her glossy lids ombré into her blush reminds us that our growth journey as humans is always evolving and limitless. “As an Afro-Mexican it's important to celebrate PRIDE and heal all communities especially within our diverse cultures where makeup is everything,” expresses Justice.
WILLARD (HE/HIM)
YELLOW=New Ideas
The yellow stripe on the Progress Pride Flag symbolizes and stimulates new ideas and thoughts. It functions as the flag’s radiant and bright center. From his glowing golden highlight to the burst of sun ray-inspired line work punctuating his eyes, Willard beams with a hopeful joy we aspire to always have. When it comes to new ideas, Willard wants you to push forward your new ideas and take up space. "We are the future, and we are here. Never let anyone tell you, you can't wear yellow eyeliner, a bold lip or how to live your life. Believe in yourself and take up space every moment you can. It's hard being a diamond in a world full of rhinestones, but shine baby – it's your time," exclaims Willard.
PARIS (THEY/THEM)
GREEN=Prosperity
On the Progress Pride Flag, green represents growth and prosperity, it promotes evolution of oneself and of nature. Paris’s floating shamrock and emerald cut crease inspires elevation and the notion of reaching for the stars. Living in prosperity isn’t new for Paris, as they always have a mindset of abundance. “Every day I feel abundant because of the queer community and specifically my chosen family. We inspire and encourage each other to grow, we call each other's name in rooms of opportunity, we hold space to grieve, we celebrate each other's joy, and we always come together for each other.”
ARIANNA (SHE/HER)
BLUE=Serenity
Blue on the Progress Pride Flag is a calming color to represent Serenity. Feeling serene and at ease is essential to our mental health and well-being—it is a chance for us to recharge our creative chakras and an opportunity to draw from the infinite pool of artistic inspiration and self-expression. Arianna’s eyes showcase fluid accents of sky blue and an expansive glittering drop shadow that symbolizes a well of calm. An upper lip accent of plush powder blue mimics a serene cloud and the balance between the hectic energy of daily life and the importance to breathe. Blue promotes relaxation and calms the mind—for the LGBTQIA+ community it is a refuge of safety for self-expression and a promise of a peaceful life being their truest selves.
REGINA (HE/HIM/SHE/HER)
VIOLET=Spirit
Our spiritual journey begins when we connect with our true selves. The color purple signifies pride and connection. Radiating pure joy, Martin’s glam is highlighted with dreamy lilac smokey eyes, mauve cheeks and anchored with a rich plum satin lip.
Martin, a NYX PRO Artist, dressed in drag for the first time was when he was 22 years old. “I had just moved out of my parents' house with nothing to my name. I used it as an outlet for my creativity and to express my emotions. It was nerve-wracking and liberating. Today, I'm proud that I never let anyone dim my spirit or light. It brought me to this moment. Being on NYX Professional Makeup's set was surreal because I would have never thought I would be in a global campaign as a Latin gay man in the makeup industry in drag proudly representing my community while showcasing my artistry, and here I am.”
PRUDENCE (THEY/SHE)
WHITE/PINK/BLUE=Trans Community
Prudence is the definition of honest beauty and richness of spirit. Her inner light beams through this dreamy pop pastel diffused eye showcasing the colors of the Trans community. As butterflies are delicate creatures that evolve from caterpillars by emerging through their cocoons to take flight in a world where they can be free and wrapped in their truest identity, Prudence is blanketed in them to symbolize this growth and transformation. Traditionally, the colors pink and blue signify a baby girl or boy, respectively. Here, with the addition of white that signifies people who are transitioning, intersex, or do not identify with the gender binary, the three colors are each important pillars that represent Trans people and unify as a source of affirmation for the community, no matter where they are on their journey to becoming their true selves.
MONICA (SHE/HER)
BROWN & BLACK Stripes=People of Color/BIPOC Communities
Monica is a Queen--her calm spirit and magnetic smile allow her to radiate in rich carbon-smoked halo eyes, butterscotch stained cheeks and glossy chestnut lips. NYX Professional makeup celebrates BIPOC communities and acknowledges that the Pride movement emerged from Black and Brown, Queer and Trans activists. Though historically largely neglected from the mainstream LGBT narrative, they are at the core of the culture, rights, and freedoms of the LGBTQIA+ community. In 2017, the Philadelphia Pride flag (aptly named for its city of origin) included the two additional stripes to explicitly reference race/ethnicity and SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression Equality Bill).
