If you want inspiration on finding your inner beauty and letting it blossom, here's Mykki Blanco. Blanco called it her "golden ticket day" when, in the summer of 2011, she walked out on the street as transgendered and turned heads. Since then, Blanco's singles, "Wavvy" and "Cosmic Angel" have been major breakthrough hits, and she has been profiled everywhere from the New York Times and Details to Interview and Elle magazine, who called her "hip-hop's new queen" on their culture blog. Blanco is the alter ego of Michael Quattlebaum Jr., a poet and hip-hop artist who came to NYC in 2008 to study at Parsons but left after one semester. Quattlebaum went on to release his poetry (OHWOW Gallery, "From the Silence of Duchamp" 2011) and perform in downtown venues, developing his voice, and, eventually, discovering Mykki Blanco. The best thing about Blanco is how fresh and honest she is about her look. In this video she talks about her style, her makeup, and her continuing evolution.






Directed by: Bec Stupak,
Photography by: Shawn Smith,
Edited by: Johnny Woods,
Makeup: Will Lemon,
Hair: Rachel Lee,
Nails: Brande Baugh,
Interviewed by: Reva Silvers
More to Love
-
Theo Kogan on Launching A Rock 'N' Roll Lip Gloss Line
- 79
- 10
-
Behind the Brand: Amy Doan of Sugarpill Cosmetics
- 512
- 40
-
Fashion Week First Hand: Hairstylist Michael Dueñas Masters the Faux Bob Backstage
- 101
- 7
-
Fall Preview: Emma D & Billy B for Beautylish
- 116
- 7
-
Makeup Genius: The Art of Being Billy B
- 227
- 27
-
Halloween How-To: The Best Way to Age Your Face
- 196
- 2
-
What it Takes to be a Fashion Week Makeup Artist
- 295
- 7
-
Billy B on his Life, Career, and What He Hates in a Brush
- 185
- 24
Oct 05, 2012
Natty G.
I am transgender woman and im proud of her! ^_^
Sep 27, 2012
Reva S.
UHHHMAZING
Sep 24, 2012
Dena M.
I freaking LOVE the attitude- werk werk werrrrk! *snap 3x's"
Sep 22, 2012
Mandy C.
"...like I know my purse is way more than yours." I nearly died laughing! But, I LOVE THE CONFIDENCE!!! Such an inspiration to so many out there!
Sep 22, 2012
Nils J.
Sep 22, 2012
Nikki N.
This is why I love Beautylish. Mykki is the epitome of a talented, confident, beautiful person. Transgender or not, living your life for yourself can garner negative judgement sometimes. We all can take away from this. Love Mykki, you are an individual, nothing but love!
Sep 21, 2012
Bec S.
Mykki is my favorite musician right now! His sound is so fresh and raw. I love that he plays with gender and peoples' expectations. Gender expression is so complicated-- what you feel on the inside, how you look on the outside, who you love and everything in between. When people choose to live the full complexity of all those things (especially when they don't fit neatly into a category) it's refreshing and super interesting, especially when paired with the amazing talent that Mykki has.
Sep 21, 2012
Krystal C.
Love this! Beautylicious!
Sep 21, 2012
Olivia D.
It was so great meeting Mykki Blanco. Loved the confidence.
Sep 21, 2012
Icequeen v.
Sep 21, 2012
Julianne J.
Sep 21, 2012
Icequeen v.
Sep 22, 2012
Julianne J.