On ‘Euphoria,’ I Noticed My Make-up Journey Mirrored on TV for the First Time

Maybe this is the reason so many trans folks, like Jules (and myself), expertise a surge in creativity once they start their transition, whether or not via a reputation change, new pronouns, or making an attempt out new garments or make-up. The curious vitality and information that one thing higher exists has been bottled up, and when an individual begins to transition, it typically begins to come back out in inventive methods.

Earlier than my transition, I saved my hair quick and strictly wore denims, sweats, and strong t-shirts in an effort to not stand out. After I was assigned male at delivery within the ’90s, it felt like all the pieces sometimes coded female — heels, nail polish, make-up — was off limits. Fortunately, with illustration on exhibits like Euphoria, the hope is that these societal requirements will change and our inflexible concepts of gender will loosen, however that change cannot occur rapidly sufficient.

Leveling up (or, past Jules)

Jules isn’t the one character on Euphoria creating a brand new actuality via aesthetics, although. Almost all of her friends are additionally experimenting with make-up in distinctive methods, as nicely. Seeing a trans lady within the firm of friends who’re additionally tapping into make-up to change into the varieties of folks they aspire to be is revolutionary. (For a deeper look into Maddy, Cassie, Kat, and Rue’s make-up, you possibly can try an interview with Euphoria’s head make-up artist.)

By way of all these characters, Euphoria additionally exhibits how enjoyable and transformative make-up may be — for those who let it. Overlaying my eyelids in glitter makes me really feel like a deliciously flirty, shiny alien. Mixing purple and orange turns me right into a sundown fantasy. After I let pink shadow drip from black lipstick, I change into a glam monster who eats boys up for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a midnight snack. I didn’t know these identities had been part of me till I made them, and as soon as I noticed how strongly they resonated, I saved returning to them. I am nonetheless creating new ones. I feel I all the time can be.

For therefore lengthy, make-up was inaccessible to me. Ever since I started preventing to say make-up as a part of my world, I started to comprehend there was an infinite realm of potentialities at my fingertips, and it might be a disgrace to not discover make-up as a creative medium.