“I had to stand my ground and feel very rooted in the decisions I was making, really understand who I am, what I stand for, what I like, how I want to present to the world, who I want to love.Ī post shared by KITTENS How She Pushes the Boundaries in Music I was like, ‘yeah, I don’t think that’s going to work.'” You get married and it looks like this and this is what your partner looks like and how your life is supposed to go. But there are some stereotypes and expectations, like, you become a doctor and you become an engineer. I’m so in touch with the community and love my Persian culture so much. Whatever that looks like, whatever that means.’ That’s made it more empowering for me to do whatever I want, whether that’s a crazy makeup look or not having anything really visible on and just a clean face because that’s how I feel most powerful that day.” How She Pushes the Boundaries at Home There are all these expectations in society to look a certain way and be a certain thing and to be part of a community that’s saying ‘fuck that, be you. “I think being a part of a community that is fighting against norms and societal standards has made me feel more comfortable expressing myself authentically. I wet them and then put them on and it’s just so good.” How Being a Part of the LGBTQIA+ Community Inspires Her I love the really sparkling eyeshadows, the Sequin Crush eyeshadows ($30 at Violet Grey). It’s this primer that’s really hydrating but not sticky. I really like the Nu Glow in Balm ($36 at Sephora) so much. I really like the Crushliner ($29 at Nordstrom) so I can do a little smoky eye. “I love Lash Clash Mascara ($29 at Sephora). It’s been this one constant in my life that’s my time every single day to make myself feel grounded and confident and centered and just me.” Then I got into doing makeup professionally and then being a DJ and performing and doing my own makeup for shows and tours and photoshoots.
Then it because an important part of my identity growing up, how to express myself. I always did my own makeup because my dad would take me to dance competitions when my mom wasn’t there. I grew up as a dancer, in competitive dance and ballet. “I’ve always had a close relationship with makeup and beauty. As far as the beauty brand, before I got into music, I was a makeup artist, so I’m very picky.” The edginess and darkness to it, mixed with the chic vibe, it just feels like my vibe. Why YSL Beauty Was the Perfect Pride Partner She also filled us in on her fave YSL Beauty products to get her look, as well as the Pride playlist to get you in the mood this month. STYLECASTER sat down with Kittens to find out how she lives her authentic self every day in the face of a society that wants to put you in a box. The first-generation Iranian-American fights insecurities and imposter syndrome as a woman in the male-dominated DJ industry and challenges cultural stereotypes to break the mold right at home. Kittens teamed up with YSL Beauty to tell this story as part of the brand’s Push the Boundaries documentary series.
What does it mean to “push the boundaries?” For DJ, producer and LGBTQIA+ activist, Lauren “Kittens” Abedini, that’s pushing past expectations from society and family to live authentically. If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.