We've recently seen some fantastic coverage of trans visibility thanks to the courageous Caitlyn Jenner. Now, we're getting more fantastic trans representation in the beauty world. Make Up For Ever and Andreja Pejic, along with Jamie Chung, have teamed up on a new beauty campaign that is both brilliant and super fun! Plus, now the models even have their very own palettes. The brand's combination of a role model like Pejic and relatable girl like Chung is perfect for the campaign that's slogan is "Be Bold. Be Unexpected. Be You."
Pejic made her triumphant return to the catwalk back in March and wow'ed crowds during London Fashion Week. Then, last month, the gorgeous model landed a Vogue editorial that made her the first trans model to ever be featured in the glossy. Basically, Pejic is having one hell of a year, and it's only getting better.
She was the perfect person to represent a Make Up For Ever campaign dedicated to asking people to be true to themselves. Tonight at the launch event, we were able to speak with Pejic who told us how excited she was about the partnership. "I think I'm still taking it [the campaign] all in! I can't even really put it into words. When I was little, I would dream about what it would be like to grow up and be a woman. I didn't care if I was scrubbing toilets — if I was doing it as a woman, I'd be happy. I'm thankful to Make Up For Ever for taking this bold step." While bold it may be, the step is also necessary in giving trans men and women more visibility in mainstream campaigns.
With the recent coming out of Caitlyn Jenner, trans rights and visibility are at the forefront of everyone's minds, including Pejic. She explained to us, "I think it's definitely something we're going to see a lot more of. It's about recognizing that the world is a diverse place. There is no reason that the beauty industry should not reflect that. The more awareness there is and the more variety of stories that there are is very important. It shows that this is a very human experience."
Pejic also talked to us about what makeup meant to her during her transition. She told us, "My relationship with makeup, like my transition, was a slow process. When I first discovered eyeliner... It was amazing. It made me feel so feminine. I have very strong features, but it's fun to soften them up sometimes."
Alongside Pejic, Make Up For Ever enlisted Jamie Chung, everyone's perennial best friend, to help spread the news about the line's new products. Chung is known not only for her acting, but also for her killer beauty advice. Plus, the brand's inclusion of an Asian American actress adds much needed diversity to an industry that is nearly completely white. The gorgeous lady, like Pejic, was excited to be involved in the campaign despite being nervous at first. She explains, "I was really nervous going into the meeting, but landing something like this for a company that I really believe in was kind of a dream come true...I was totally over the moon. I love [what it stands for] because everyone is so unique and so different.”
This isn't the first time that Chung has celebrated Make Up For Ever. She told us, "It's a brand I've been using for a long time professionally, since Samurai Girl. What I particularly love about the brand is how it's so inclusive."
The campaign features both Pejic and Chung getting seriously creative, fabulous looks from Make Up Forever's pro consulting artist Melanie Inglessis. Some of the looks created for the stars are definitely more dramatic that your everyday work look, but Inglessis explained, "Have fun! Try a bold lip color or a colored eyeliner to start. Keep it to one strong feature and you really can’t go wrong." The brand's focus on staying true to yourself and inclusivity is clearly seen in their choice of spokespersons, and the choice of such amazing women was an inspired decision. We can't wait to try each ladies' palettes!
Images: Make Up For Ever
