In celebration of diversity, individuality, love, gender expansiveness, self-expression, and Pride, VIOLET GREY spotlights the LGBTQIA+ creatives and activists who inspire us.

Raisa Flowers isn’t afraid to color outside the lines, literally. The sought-after makeup artist is known for imaginative beauty looks for clients such as fashion designer LaQuan Smith and famous faces Precious Lee and Joan Smalls. Growing up as a Black, queer woman with tattoos and piercings, Flowers didn’t see people who looked like her in the media, and lacking that representation, didn’t see herself as beautiful. In conversation with VIOLET GREY, Flowers reflects on the change she has seen in the industry since she was a child, and calls out the areas where there is still progress to be made.