Asking award-winning actor, singer, director, producer, composer and playwright Billy Porter how his Monday goes looks like a little bit of a softball. “I’m feeling really grateful right now!” Porter exclaims, radiating the sort of unfiltered enthusiasm that’s change into the star’s signature—even on the day of the week that doesn’t get a complete lot of affection. “I was on TV this morning, I’m coming back to Broadway, I’m wrapping a beauty line; I have a lot to be grateful for.”
The newest addition to the Porter’s already-packed agenda? Black Mona Lisa Magnificence—a daring, high-performance magnificence line that’s as revolutionary as its founder. Designed for all identities, pores and skin tones and kinds, the model blends make-up and skincare with unapologetic self-expression. From electrical eyeshadows and fearless lip shades to luxe, anti-aging skincare, each product is a tribute to individuality, creativity and confidence.
Photograph by Meredith Truax
“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time,” shares the Pose star. “I’ve been writing in my morning pages about it. I really believe that we manifest what our heart desires, but I didn’t know where to start. I didn’t know where to begin. Then, a company called My Business Program asked if I would be interested in working on something. That’s basically what happened, and we’ve been working trials for almost two years.”
As anticipated, Porter was additionally huge on ensuring the merchandise had been really inclusive.
“I’m really interested in making sure that the products that I have work on all types of people. Beauty has no gender. It also has no color. I’m really looking forward to developing, for instance, foundations that cover the spectrum of all colors—from the lightest to the darkest. We still don’t have a lot of companies doing that well.”
Excessive on Porter’s record of non-negotiables for Black Mona Lisa Magnificence: Nailing the shimmer—and protecting your entire line proudly genderless. “One of the things that really attracted me are the shimmers! They’re amazing. I want this brand to represent freedom. I want people to feel free when they explore with these products.”
Black Mona Lisa Magnificence Liquid Shimmer in Gatsby 
Black Mona Lisa Magnificence Liquid Shimmer in Rosy
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That sense of freedom extends far past glitter and glow. For Porter, it’s about breaking down the binaries which have lengthy outlined the wonder business. “It’s interesting to me, because I have this kale cleanser, which I love, and I have this rose oil, which I wear. Those are two of my favorites. But when you go and you look at something like face wash or face lotion for men, and then you have the one for women, when you turn it around, it’s the same ingredients! We gender everything.”
With Black Mona Lisa, Porter is pushing again on that. “I would love for this to be completely genderless. That’s the biggest thing for me—that this doesn’t discriminate. Anyone and everyone can use anything. It’s not ‘gender anything.’ It’s for all.”
Mannequin utilizing Black Mona Lisa Magnificence serum 
Mannequin utilizing Black Mona Lisa Magnificence Kale Cleanser
On the subject of magnificence manufacturers that get it proper, Porter provides credit score the place it’s due. “I think MAC does it pretty well. NARS too. Both are brands I wear,” he says. “But honestly? I’m really loving my own stuff. As you know, I’ve been working on this my whole life.”
For Porter, skincare isn’t only a ardour—it’s private historical past. “Skin care has always been a part of my life—day and night,” he says. That journey started in his teenagers, with a reminiscence as vivid as any crimson carpet. “I bought my first Clinique set at Kaufmann’s in downtown Pittsburgh when I was 14 or 15. I wasn’t even totally sure what it was, but I knew I had to have it. First of all, I’m Black, so moisturizing is something that is just in our DNA. If soap and water comes anywhere near your body, you follow up with lotion. We always carry lotion and creams and whatnot in our bags. That’s just what it is! In the wintertime, back in the ’70s, my mother put Vaseline on my face to protect my skin. And I still remember the woman at the Clinique counter was like, ‘You don’t have any acne…you don’t need this.’ And I was like, ‘This is preventative! My face needs to look good!’ I’ve always had a routine because I was always trying to be a star.”
