Not to sound like a Mastercard commercial, but celebrating the big events you're passionate about is priceless. (Just ask Macy's — the retailer reportedly spends a cool $11.6 million on the Thanksgiving Day parade [1] each year.) For LGBTQ+ people [2], the biggest one often comes during Pride month, and this year's New York City parade marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which means you can expect members of the community to go big.
Exactly how big, you wonder? Because it's hard to describe how detailed — and, sometimes, rainbow-fuelled [3] — the getting ready process [4] can be, we asked YouTube personality, activist, and author Gigi Gorgeous [5] to show to walk us through what she does beauty-wise for Pride. . . and just how much it costs.
BH Cosmetics Aurora Lights Baked Eyeshadow Palette
For Toronto's Pride celebration, Gorgeous used the same colours of the transgender flag — baby blue and pink — to inspire her look. "My outfit was very colorful this year, so we wanted to use pink and blue makeup," she said. "For my eyes, I used BH Cosmetics Aurora Lights Baked Eyeshadow Palette [6] ($21) with bright colours. My makeup artist Hilary Montez used hot pink and really bright cobalt blue shadow."
Total price spent: $21
Lilly Lashes 3D Mink Lashes
Montez topped the look off with a dramatic set of Lilly Lashes 3D Mink Lashes [7] ($30).
Total price spent: $51
Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Cream
Keeping on theme with the hot pink colour palette, Gorgeous used the Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Cream in Pink Lady [8] ($21) on her lips.
Total price spent: $72
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Summer Solstice
"Another Pride essential for me is the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Summer Solstice [9] ($33)," said Gorgeous. "It really stands and holds your makeup through the heat and humidity."
Total price spent: $105
Hair Extensions
"I've really been wanting to try something different for Pride so I used one of my favourite stylists, Kristian Wood [10]," she said. "We wanted to do some sort of Sailor Moon-inspired hairstyle. We landed on 36-inch long platinum blond extension pigtails, which really gave me a dramatic look and is a great way to ride in style for the festival." (These weren't sewn-in; clip-ins range from $175-$205 in price.)
Total price spent: $310
Got 2b Glued Blasting Freeze Spray
To secure the style, Wood used bobby pins and the Got 2b Glued Blasting Freeze Spray [11] ($7) to set Gorgeous's hair in place.
Total price spent: $317
Olay Moisture Ribbons Body Wash With Manuka Honey
"In the shower, I use the Olay Moisture Ribbons Body Wash With Manuka Honey [12] ($23 for a two-pack)," she said. (Gorgeous is part of the brand's Ribbons 2-week challenge [13].) "I love this because it's so hydrating that you don't have to moisturise when you get out of the shower and that saves me a lot of time."
Total price spent: $340
Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector
"My skin has been looking great lately, so for my body I am just using highlighter on my legs to give me that extra glittery look for pride," said Gorgeous. "I use the Becca Cosmetics Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector [14] ($41) for that."
Total price spent: $381