The representation we see in music, in media and particularly in beauty ads helps to shape the subsequent generation and their ideals around traditional beauty standards. That’s why when Lil Nas X became the primary male rapper in history to front a makeup campaign when he joined forces with YSL Beauty in August 2022, we knew we were in for something epic.

And we were right. The boldness, the Blackness and more vital the representation from an iconic legacy brand specializing in a recent standard of beauty — chefs kiss. 

Now to commemorate the second yr with the brand, Lil Nas X and YSL are back for Pride month to launch two installments of the brand’s newest campaign featuring the worldwide popstar. Inspired by his ever-evolving persona, we get to explore different eras of Lil Nas X starting with The Icon and The Edge, with more releases to come back all year long. Each chapter will bring together YSL Beauty’s newest and most iconic products to deliver game-changing looks. 

“YSL Beauty and I are working together to try to help everyone feel like one of the best versions of themselves,” Lil Nas X tells ESSENCE. “We wish to point out everyone that they will experiment with their looks, be daring and have a good time with makeup regardless of who they’re or how they’re feeling.”

In The Icon line of products, YSL Beauty offers a glowy look, including makeup must-haves Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Balm, Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick, and NU Halo Tint Highlighter in Bronze. The Edge offers a bolder beat that embodies his free–spirited nature, which incorporates YSL’s NU Halo Tint Highlighter, Touche Éclat, and Lash Clash.

One may wonder — how did the collaboration between LNX and YSL Beauty even occur? Well, it’s easy. Much like Lil Nas X, YSL Beauty was born off of calling the establishment into query. “What we love about Lil Nas X is his daring approach to self-expression, using makeup as a creative outlet. The ability of makeup is countless— and who higher than Lil Nas X to show it?” YSL Beauty’s U.S. general manager Laetitia Raoust said.

For a society that has long fixated on and subjected to Black people to Western standards of beauty, one among the explanations all of us love the generational superstar and iconoclast is his confidence. His advice for others who struggle to embrace the skin that they’re in? “Do your best to present yourself just as much love on days once you’re not feeling your best because the days that you just are.” For Lil Nas X, he admits his confidence didn’t just come overnight. “It definitely took me a while to accumulate my confidence to where it’s now,” he shares.