6 Bold Ways To Bring Pride Month To Your Makeup Looks

For many people, Pride Month entails, at least in part, celebrating their identity with vibrant outfits. From rainbow-hued merch to Pride-inspired nail designs, it's an opportunity to let your true colors shine in a pretty literal way. For beauty enthusiasts, cosmetics are another fantastic platform for self-expression. Pride Month makeup looks are all about color, whether you're creating an experimental, over-the-top look for a parade or introducing subtle nods to Pride in your daily beauty routine. There's no right or wrong way to do it — like finding and celebrating your identity, Pride-inspired makeup should be about authenticity. It's about finding whatever style works for you, from barely there to in-your-face looks.

If you're not sure where to start building your Pride Month look, you're in luck because there's an endless supply of content out there to inspire you — so much so that the #pridemakeup hashtag has over 287,000 posts on Instagram and over 66,000 on TikTok. That said, you don't have to go digging. From eyeshadow techniques and tinted brows to artsy face paint and sparkling crystals, we've gathered the best ways to show off your true self in your makeup for Pride Month and beyond.

When embracing color for Pride Month, eyeshadow is a natural choice, and there are so many different ways to incorporate Pride in an eyeshadow look. Go for a bold glam look with heavy liner and mega-lashes, or create a softer, sunset-like rainbow-tinted cat eye. You can layer your Pride hues in a horizontal gradient, in layered swoops, or in abstract clouds of color. Restrained touches of color may be more wearable for your daily routine, but don't be afraid to pull out the big guns for special Pride events.

Eyeshadow is a popular medium for colorful Pride looks, but you can take a unique approach by focusing on your eyebrows instead. The delicate, horizontal arcs of your brows offer a great opportunity to introduce some rainbow-hued gradients. Note that permanent eyebrow tint can last anywhere from three weeks to two months, which may be longer than you want to flaunt your Pride colors. Instead, consider temporary tints, which you can find everywhere from Amazon to the drugstore. In a pinch, you can even apply liquid lipstick with a spoolie to add color to your brows.

Pride makeup often goes literal with bold stripes of color, but you can also represent your flag with looks that are more artsy or abstract. Adorn your cheeks with painted bubbles in blue, pink, and white to represent the trans flag; create a galactic look using the blue, purple, and magenta of the bisexual flag; put a twist on the rainbow vibe by giving yourself paint-splatter freckles in every hue; or use the watercolor blush trend as a vehicle for any color combo. These are all bold and playful ways to embody Pride without being so straightforward.

If you prefer subtlety or want a versatile, understated look that you can wear to occasions all month long, why not rep your Pride flag along your lower lash line? By combining colored mascaras on your lashes and matching cosmetic paint for the water line, you can create multi-hued looks in any combination, from the pink, yellow, and blue of the pansexual flag to the beautifully smoky tones of the asexual flag. This look is cute, easily customized, and subtle enough to rock to the office.

Have a specific message to share this Pride Month? Turn your makeup into a true statement by repurposing alphabet stamps into beauty tools. Dip your stamps into cosmetic paint to craft your message letter by letter, whether you want to wear classic mottos like "Love is love" or advocate for human rights with phrases like "Protect trans lives." Simply top it with a spritz of setting spray to help keep your message in place. Oh, and don't forget to reverse your message in the mirror during application; otherwise, the words might come out backward.

Once you have the base of your Pride look in place, why not add extra glitz and glitter with some embellishments? From rhinestones to pearls, you can take your makeup to the next level with a 3-D element. And if you're wondering how to make your face gems stay in place, know that the right adhesive is key. Ideal choices include eyelash glue, spirit gum, or products made specifically for applying face crystals.