The latest Sephora Canada initiative is truly something special: standing fearlessly together, a group of inspiring collaborators are celebrating their differences and sharing their personal journeys in the new We Belong to Something Beautiful campaign, with an aim to highlight that there is no singular expression of beauty. Each collaborator has a video in which they speak their truth on the importance of inclusion and the struggles they have faced coming from marginalized communities and here at Vita Daily, we seized the opportunity to interview each participant to discuss what it means to be advocates within their communities, the importance of speaking their truth and why they chose to be a part of Sephora Canada’s We Belong to Something Beautiful Campaign. —Noa Nichol
Q&A With Julie Vu
Julie Vu represented Canada at the Miss International Queen Pageant in Thailand. She is a transgendered woman with a passion for makeup artistry and fashion. She bravely chronicles her transition and life experiences on YouTube, and wants to educate and change perspectives on transgendered people.
Hi Julie! Please tell us a little bit about yourself to start 🙂
My name is Julie Vu, and I am a transgender creator based in Vancouver! I started a YouTube Channel nine years ago creating content around my life! That includes makeup and skits, and I also documented my transition online. Ever since I was a little kid I would play with my mom’s makeup and it became a passion for me, hence why it plays such a big role in my life. I recently represented my country, Canada in the Miss International Queen Beauty Pageant in Thailand. It was such a great experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My hobbies include, photography, dancing and travelling.
How did your involvement with Sephora Canada’s We Belong To Something Beautiful campaign come about, and how did you feel when you discovered you were going to be a part of it? Did you celebrate?!
I received an email asking if I would be interested in being a part of a beauty campaign but, before I was told which company it was, I had to sign a confidentiality form. Once signed, I was in complete shock. Never in a million years would I ever thought little ol’ Julie who was born in a small town called Prince Rupert would ever get an opportunity like this! I was ecstatic because I love Sephora and shop there so frequently! I did celebrate by going out that night! I was with friends but I didn’t tell them anything. It seemed like it was just another night out but in my mind, it wasn’t. It was so hard to keep my mouth shut but I did!
What was your connection to Sephora before this campaign? For instance, did you shop there often?
I have worked with Benefit Cosmetics as a brand demo and would be stationed in several Sephora locations back in the day. I also shop at Sephora a lot. I love the selection they carry. It’s like a one-stop shop and that is super convenient. Time is money!
What does being part of this campaign, that celebrates the diversity and belonging of all Canadians and highlights that there is no singular expression of beauty, mean to you?
Being a part of this campaign means that no matter where you come from, we are all beautiful in our own way. I believe our struggles and uniqueness is what makes every individual beautiful. The fact that people from all walks of life can come together and stand proud is so inspiring. If we were all the same, life would be dull and boring. Everyone has a story, everyone has a message.
What do beauty, diversity, and inclusion mean to you?
Beauty, diversity, and inclusion is all about celebrating who you are regardless of your race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, etc. Feeling beautiful in your own skin and being confident. Who you are, you are enough.
What is your style/beauty mantra/philosophy?
If you’re a good person on in the inside, it will radiate to the outside. You can put all the makeup on your face you want but by the end of the day, if you’re a bad person, no amount of makeup will make you beautiful. Beautiful comes from within. Beautiful is kindness.
What would you say to other Canadians who may be struggling to fit in, feel included or simply feel comfortable/beautiful in their own bodies?
Don’t overthink it. Don’t try to fit into this mould that society wants you to. Individuality and uniqueness is what makes you, you. Special. Be yourself, love yourself, and the right people will love you for who you are. Why fit in, when you can stand out?
One last, light question: if you could only shop for/purchase one item from Sephora for the rest of your life, what would it be? (Or, if you were stuck on a desert island, what one Sephora product would you need to have with you?!)
If I was stuck on a desert island, one Sephora product I would have with me would be a bright Fenty Beauty lipstick. I could use it to draw SOS on a large rock so I could be rescued.
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