Gigi Gorgeous Beauty Interview
Meet the Star of This Is Everything: Makeup Genius Gigi Gorgeous
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Instagram users know what a distraction the app can be. One minute you're going through your friend's feed, the next you find yourself ogling images of a total stranger or an Internet celebrity. That's how I discovered Gigi Gorgeous. I first became obsessed with this YouTube beauty vlogger back when he was a young man showing off his makeup skills. Today, she is a powerful, hilarious, and sincere icon for the transgender community. Gigi bravely shared every step of her transition (from her initial realization to her facial feminization surgery) with her subscribers.
Her sincerity and transparency have gained her some amazing collaborations, including one with Too Faced and a partnership with Miley Cyrus for Pride Month. It's clear to anyone watching her channel that Gigi is a relatable woman (not to mention fun!). When she made an appearance at Sephora in New York City's Times Square as a member of Too Faced's Lipstick Mafia, we chatted mascara, selfies, plastic surgery, and much more. Get the 411 on this sparkling star when you read on.
Her Beauty Inspiration
Gigi was 11 years old when she started going through her mom's makeup and playing dress-up. She cited her mother (who was in pageants) as her first inspiration. "She was always super done-up, beautiful, and blond with blue eyes," Gigi reminisced. "She would always host these parties at our house, where all of my aunts would come over. [They would] all get glammed up and take pictures. But it wouldn't be this vain thing, it would be fun and lighthearted."
Today, Gigi explained that Kim Kardashian is her inspiration. "Her makeup is always on point, and she looks super, super gorge. Even when she does the natural look, she has the skin, lips, and eyes all perfect."
Gigi recently got to work with Kylie Jenner on her new beauty site, which is pretty close to the Queen Kardashian.
Her Top 3 Products
Even though Gigi loves going full glam, she said her favorite three products are more on the natural side — but she can't live without Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($23). "I have blond eyelashes, so they're invisible," Gigi said. "I definitely need to do my eyes, because I'll look like I'm albino if I don't."
Gigi also included Too Faced's Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer ($30) and MAC Cosmetics' Soft and Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish ($32) on her list of makeup essentials.
The Key to a Perfect Selfie
Currently, Gigi has over one million Instagram followers, so she's obviously learned a trick or two for snapping the perfect shot. Her secret? She doesn't use filters. "I've never told anybody this, but I always customize it: I go through brightness, contrast, saturation . . . I do it all myself," Gigi explained. "I like my photos looking like actual photos, not like old, yellow, aged coffee." Above all, though, don't forget to smile. "You can get so caught up in 'is my skin flawless,' but if you see someone smiling, you'll think they're beautiful."
Advice For Transitioning Fans
Gigi is one of the most visible and outspoken YouTubers in the LGBT community. Lately, transgender women have been at the forefront of many people's minds thanks to Caitlyn Jenner, whom Gigi thinks looks amazing ("Her cheek implants are huge!"). When I asked her if she had any advice for the Olympian now that she's transitioned, she said, "SPF. Like, every day."
For those fans of Gigi who are transitioning, she had more heartfelt words to share. "Know that you're not alone. Your situation is not the end of the world," she said. "Listen to your heart: nobody else can tell you what to do. But people that are close to you — your friends and family — tell them straight up. Be honest, open, and make sure everyone is on the same page. You don't want to make changes without people knowing because you'll have to face it at some point."
Her Signature Scent
Gigi tries a lot of beauty products, but for the past five years, she's been spritzing on Yves Saint Laurent Manifesto ($82). "YSL can never get old," Gigi insisted. "I do, like, 30 sprays."
On Plastic Surgery
Gigi has been incredibly open with her fans throughout her transition process, including each surgery that she's undergone. When I asked her which procedure was most transformative, she had an immediate reaction. "Definitely my boobs. When I transitioned, it was superhard not having boobs. They helped me emotionally and physically transform."
Suggestions For Her 16-Year-Old Self
I was expecting a more serious answer here, but she just laughed and said, "Stop cutting your hair!" Dedicated Gigi fans will remember her cropped cut before she transitioned. "I had this short pixie cut forever, and it was so f*cking annoying to grow out, even though I still wear fake hair." Gigi admitted she's obsessed with extensions. "At the end of the day, I want them as an accessory."
