Carmen Carrera’s Best Beauty Secrets – Allure Magazine

There are many things about Carmen Carrera that are beautiful. For starters, she’s physically beautiful, with feline-like features, a golden complexion, and shampoo-ad worthy hair. She also has a beautiful soul. When she stopped by the office a few years ago, I was struck by how loving and warm she was—her positivity and energy lit up the room. She also champions a beautiful cause. As a model and prominent member of the transgender community, she uses her fame to spread a message of peace and acceptance. “I consider myself an activist for women like me, who want to be confident and don’t want to be judged,” she once told Allure. “I want to be able to supply the knowledge that transgender women need in order to live peacefully and become accepted among all men and women.” And lastly, she’s a true beauty junkie. And while it may seem insensitive to bring up makeup in a conversation like this, for many trans women—Carrera included—beauty products are huge and important part of their journey.

Before New York City Pride Week, we visited Carrera at her home in New York City so she could share her inspiring story and insights on beauty. Then she wheeled—yes, wheeled—out her product stash, and of course, we had to ask her to take us through some of her favorite items (spoiler: Nars Highlighting Blush in Albatross is one of the secrets behind her gorgeous complexion).

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Back when Carrera stopped by the office, we asked her what beauty meant to her. Watching this video brought to mind her inspiring answer, and also why makeup, while seemingly superficial and trite, can actually be so much more: “Beauty is the ability to utilize the tools provided in order to showcase your spirit in order to show your true soul,” she said. “Beauty comes from within, but it’s up to us to use fashion and beauty to express who we are on the inside. Beauty is the idea of who you truly are.”