GABRIEL ZAMORA: BLUE-HAIRED BRAVE

Flaunting magnificent blue hair and effervescent energy, Gabriel Zamora radiates glamour, ease and playful confidence in his bilingual beauty tutorials. The distinctive social media star has shred gender norms as a man confidently experimenting with makeup – and helping the rest of us master it along the way. Here, Gabriel opens up to discuss his identity, the creation of his custom M·A·C Lipstick and the larger-than-life love he holds for his supporters and social family.

What’s behind your passion for makeup?
The excitement it makes me feel every time! I don’t wear makeup on an everyday basis, but when I do, I make sure to create something that I love. Sometimes I just create bold brows and dewy skin, and sometimes I highlight so bright and rock a bold eye or lip! Makeup is personal. Makeup is art. Makeup is fun.

“Wearing makeup is so personal that there are no rules about what is right and wrong. I wouldn’t suggest filling in your eyebrows with lipstick, but if it makes you happy and confident, why not?”

What’s your advice for anyone dreaming of rocking the beauty world as an influencer?
My best advice is to just do it! Know what you want to do and start working for it.

How did you get started as a beauty influencer?
I wanted to post my makeup online, but I was too nervous and scared of what people would say. Friends helped me gain the confidence to hope for the best of what might come from sharing myself online.

How did it feel to be asked to collaborate with M·A·C?
It's such a huge honour for me because I wanted to work at M·A·C but was too scared to even apply. I've always loved makeup but I used to be one of my biggest critics, which kept me from pursuing it early on. To be able to come out with my own Lipstick is such a huge honour, because I still get to work with M·A·C but in a different way!

When I had the chance to attend the M·A·C Selena collection launch, I remember feeling VERY proud because I too am Mexican-American. I saw how Selena’s talent and legacy was being celebrated and knew I wanted to one day collaborate with a company that supports and accepts every kind of person the way M·A·C does. The fact that it's happening a lot sooner than I expected excites me even more.

What does it mean to you to be such a leading force in beauty as a Mexican-American man?
I’m absolutely thrilled to represent my Mexican heritage! Growing up, I thought I would not be able to get far due to my ethnicity and hoped that I could change the way I looked. But race, skin colour or gender aren’t detriments to one’s success – self-doubt is. Once I started to embrace my background, I realized how much it had shaped me. I’m Gabriel Zamora and I am Mexican-American, gay, and a guy who wears makeup and has blue hair. These are all things that make me, ME.

“Once I started to embrace my background, I realized how much it had shaped me. I’m Gabriel Zamora and I am Mexican-American, gay and a guy who wears makeup and has blue hair. These are all things that make me, ME.”

Any advice for other men who want to start experimenting with beauty?
Find tutorials on YouTube and see what you like! I never worked at a makeup store or counter, so I learned everything I know about makeup from videos. It’s a lot easier to try something different in the comfort and privacy of your own home. After some trial and errors, you’ll see what products you love and what you want to implement into your routine. Wearing makeup is so personal that there are no rules about what is right and wrong. I wouldn’t suggest filling in your eyebrows with lipstick, but if it makes you happy and confident, why not?

How did you decide on your M·A·C Lipstick shade?
I wanted to make a colour that I knew I would be obsessed with and wear on a regular basis. I experimented with lip products to create a general range of colours I would like. Then, I began to play with how they would look on different skin tones. I created a colour that I know will complement a large range of skin tones so that everyone can be as obsessed with the Lipstick as I am!

Why is your Lipstick a great fit for your social family?
My social family is my support – they feel like my real family. I give as much of myself online as possible so they can know who I am. I feel that they – as well as the everyday M·A·C customer – will like my Lipstick because it’s the perfect brown-nude. It’s not too warm but not too cool, plus it has a great finish. It’s perfect for the summer, as well as the fall, winter and spring. It’s pretty much the perfect colour all year long!

Fill in the blank: My Lipstick goes best with _________.
CONFIDENCE.