Even in the dead of winter, when many of our faces and spirits are on the verge of cracking from lack of moisture or an unspeakably ashy political hellscape, Cyrus Veyssi is aglow. The queer, unbothered Persian American beauty content demigod has ascended to a tranquil mental space despite the particularly homophobic times we’re in.
I believe, as an invested viewer of their posts, it’s because slapping on some highlighter is an underrated tool against the haters. And highlighter is especially powerful when a queer, nonbinary person wears it better than a MAGA girlie.
See, on the other side of Veyssi’s millions of followers across IG and TikTok, are people who are absolutely bedeviled by his joyful makeup and bag hauls and pithy comedic sketches that feature a supportive brown family.
“When people come to my page and try to trigger my trauma, they’re just revealing their own,” Veyssi tells me over Zoom, where I soon realize that their confidence and positivity are contagious. “I’m in my own world with beauty and looking good, and that’s not just an F-you to the haters; it’s more reflective of the fact that no matter what happens, I’ll still be here. You’re not going to take that away from me.”
Being here, for Veyssi, goes deeper than playing the role of a beauty influencer who wants to uplift his followers with glimpses into the luxury and adventure in his life. It’s about showing queer people of color, especially, that they are entitled to love, unconditionally. “It’s been nothing but collective joy,” Veyssi says about watching his audience grow. “So much of why I do this is not just for me. A win for me is a win for everyone who looks like me, who [shares] my identities.”
And during this time of active attempts at queer and trans erasure, Veyssi knows his presence on the scene takes on new meaning. “It’s an interesting time because, obviously, there’s so much that’s continuing to push us back. But I feel like the resistance on the other side is getting stronger. We are being given more visibility,” they say.
After a beat, they reconsider their phrasing. “We’re taking more visibility. I am optimistic about the way that collective community can bring joy to people’s lives more than I have been in the past, to be honest.” That collectivist versus individualistic mentality — the one that made me immediately feel lighter when I began chatting with Veyssi — is not just powerful, but crucial right now.
And while beauty is sometimes seen as a way to cover up, Veyssi’s energy is ironically transparent. We can see that they’re here to bat their eyelashes in your face and absolutely obliterate toxic masculinity. And bearing witness to that chemistry makes it absolutely clear that we’re entitled to do things our way.
“I love the wise words of RuPaul: We’re all born naked and then it’s all drag,” Veyssi says. “Beauty is a form of this ongoing therapy, after all.”
And because we all need a little more therapy in this post-holiday winter abyss, here are a few of Veyssi’s favorite products that they recommend to feel beautiful, glowy and moisturized to the high heavens.
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Origins Ginzing SPF 30 daily moisturizer: “Moisturizer and SPF. I always make fun of straight guys for having two-in-one products but in this, you’re allowed.”
Beekman 1802 Milk Shake facial toner mist: “It will bring your face back to life. You can put it back to life; it’s beautiful.”
Caudalíe Beauty Elixir Prep, Set, Glow face mist: “Close your eyes and spray it on. You’ll feel like you’re in a dreamy spa in the mountains.”
Aquaphor Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Hydrating lip balm: “It’s glossy, it’s hydrating and it’s repairing on the lips. No one should sleep on Aquaphor.”
Estée Lauder Futurist Skin Tint Serum Foundation: “This one has a botanical oil infusion and it has SPF. In the winter, you will glow up from a dry matte vibe to a dewy hydrating one that lasts all day.
Sunkisser Multi-Use liquid blush: “A lush and highlighter all in one. It’s one of the most amazing formulas.”
Skin by Ella Rose blush creme: “A beautiful liquid blush for when, especially in the winter for melanated folks like, when our skin might not be at its tannest and most bright.”
Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy lip balm: “This one is amazing because it has different pigments. I wear it in Desire 120.”
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