Makeup is a very personal thing. We can use it to enhance a feature we like, to hide something we don´t want people to see, to express our identity or it can be part of our religion. Makeup can be a way to disguise, to mislead and to show and point out. It can be pure and clean and bold and dirty. Makeup offers us the chance to change our outerself to express our innerself, its an artform. It might be a daily mood you want to show, or you might want to create an avatar of yourself or you might want to dive into the world of drag. With this series we want to celebrate makeup and embrace it in all its shades by inviting makeup artists to share their art with our readers
and to show how to do it.
Photos by Inês Nolasco
“How to do” video by Catalina Jaramillo edited by Mica
Featured artist Mica
Fashion Jeremy Scott from the New Black Concept Store
Interview Leticia Lima
Special thanks to Antonia Rosa
Makeup is a stroke of empowerment, unlocks inner confidence and personal expression. It transforms faces into art, boosting the spirit and sparking joy. In addition to beauty, it celebrates individuality and creates a vibrant world where dreams come to life. “Makeup with ZOOT” is the art of self-love and inspiration, revealing the beauty that exists within all of us. The artist we have chosen and the ones we will be choosing are the living showcase of this testament.
I’ve known Micael for several years now. I see him growing and conquering his own style. I remembered being quite surprised to see him perform on KMT 23. The Swan’s Story. This is all about Mica creating a very personal Carnival look out of the box for our readers.
– Antonia Rosa, ZOOT beauty editor
ZOOT: What is your pronoun?
Mica: For this editorial it can be he.
ZOOT: Can you tell us a little about the make-up you did today for our readers and what you want to express with it?
Mica: I wanted to express the fun and kirky side of makeup. It was about finding the beauty in the weirdness of it all.
ZOOT: Can you tel us why you included a cigarette?
Mica: The Cigarette is part of my art and the concept I created for the carnival costume. The objective was to do something that does not follow beauty standards. I smoke but not daily, but that’s not the point, I wanted to take something that is not well regarded socially and turn it into something artistic.
OOT: Could you give us an overview of your background and your personal trajectory, how you found yourself as a person and as an artist over time?
Mica: It’s was a natural process, it took time. I didn’t wake up one day and knew exactly who I was as a person. I had some bumps along the way like everyone else and some phases that I don’t currently identify with. As an artist I think I found myself more recently through the more “out of the box” makeup looks. I feel the most beautiful when I’m with the most weird makeup and outfit.
ZOOT: How did your interest in the art of make-up come about and how does it integrate with your identity as a model and drag queen?
Mica: I’ve always liked makeup since I can remember and when I started doing drag that side of me really came to life, I started to explore and get more adventurous with makeup.
ZOOT: What do you see as the essence of the art of make-up? How does it allow you to express yourself in a unique and creative way?
Mica: For me it’s the fact that there’s no rules when it comes to makeup. When I realized that I was able to express myself much more freely. It was like learning to paint outside of the lines.
ZOOT: How can make-up be a tool for personal empowerment? How do you see the relationship between make-up and self-confidence?
Mica: Makeup can helps us bring to life the best version of us. It allows us to create that feeling that we have when we look in the mirror and feel indestructible.
ZOOT: What was your first experience of drag? What attracted you to it?
Mica: I was introduced to the drag world throught some friends and I loved it ever since. My first experience in drag was actually in the night club where I work currently as a resident drag queen, it took me four years to get where I am today but it was definitely a full circle moment.
ZOOT: What are your biggest influences and inspirations in fashion, make-up and drag art? How have these influences shaped your style and creative approach?
Mica: Pabllo Vittar is without a doubt one of my biggest inspirations. It was incredible to see a drag queen become one of the biggest stars while staying throughtful to who she is as an artist. She gave me the ability to dream and showed me that it’s possible to succeed.
ZOOT: How do you see yourself personally, is the “other-self” you create something like an avatar that you can play with, or do you feel more related to the drag world or do you identify with any other movement?
Mica: Drag is just an extension of me. The closest image I have when I idealize myself as and individual and as an artist is when I’m in drag.
ZOOT: How does fashion influence the way you express and identify yourself?
Mica: Well usually I just dress things that I like and don’t think of it as way to express myself, it’s simply clothes that I feel like wearing just like any other person. I don’t wake up everyday thinking how is my outfit gonna express my identity to the world because I don’t have to, I dress for me and for my personal taste.
ZOOT: Do you think fashion in Portugal is embracing diversity of identities and orientations more openly? What changes do you notice in this regard?
Mica: Yes, maybe in the fashion world, but sometimes just because a lot of companies and agencies like to play the “diversity card” but then when it comes to actually booking jobs and campaigns it’s a lot harder. However in the real world, in the day to day basis, it’s completely different. Portugal is still a very closed-minded country, I get weird looks everytime I go out just because I wear platform boots or a different outfit.
ZOOT: What is the most important advice you would give to other people who are looking to express themselves freely, especially in the fashion industry?
Mica: Be yourself and don’t be afraid to stand out in a crowd. There’s something really special in the little things that make us different from one another.
ZOOT: How do you see yourself in a few years? What are your dreams and aspirations for the future, both personal and professional?
Mica: Personally, I’m a little superstitious when it comes to my future goals so I like to keep them to myself. Professionaly, I’m really grateful for everything I have already accomplished however I hope to be able to continue to do what I do currently as a drag queen and model with more recognition for my art.
Thank you Micael!
