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There’s been much talk about how the pandemic has upended some people’s hygiene routines.
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Many others sometimes skipped deodorant.
As Gabrielle Union toldE!
Naturally, brands are also taking advantage of this newfound freedom people are starting to enjoy.
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The brand has tapped drag performer, dance school owner, and teacherAlyssa Edwardsfor the campaign.
Fitting, because if anyone knows how to move,it’s Edwards.
Her dance school, Beyond Belief Dance Company, was the subject of a Netflix Series,Dancing Queen.
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Allure: Let’s talk about this partnership with Degree.
How did this come together and why was it so important for you to partner with them?
Alyssa Edwards:When this came to my desk, the hashtag #MoveAgainWithDegree really stood out to me.
I am, I would say, a mover and a shaker.
Especially for people in my industry and work/passion.
This past year was very hard for people in my industry.
Especially if you’re by yourself.
Let’s smell good, let’s feel good, and let’s start doing good.
Were there any beauty rituals that you used to ground yourself in the midst of all the chaos?
After that I would write myself a love letter on a Post-it.
Some days I would say, “Dear Justin.”
Some days I would say, “To Alyssa.”
I kept a lot of those Post-its too.
I would write in my journal a lot.
And I know that sounds cliche, but it’s the truth.
We all love makeup.
We love beauty products.
But when you feel that emotion, you tend to radiate and glow on the outer.
I said, “We’re not going to do that anymore.
We’re going to write ourselves a love letter every day.
Even if it’s just two sentences.”
I’m telling you, I made it through.
Allure: Speaking of returning to the stage, somebody had a show on the West End in London.
AE:Talk about a dream come true!
I’m giggling right now because sometimes I have to remind myself this is my life.
Because I don’t know as a little shy child if I ever envisioned this for me.
I always imagined I would become the wizard behind the curtain, the magic man doing all the choreography.
And here I am now center stage.
Alyssa, Memoirs of a Queen!was actually pitched before COVID.
I had a whole year to really think about it.
Let this be natural, organic, and all things Alyssa Edwards and Justin Johnson.
That’s where the magic all started let it happen naturally."
It was, of course, a socially distanced audience, but it was at capacity every night.
And it was just so rewarding to finally be back there.
I made it through: I am snatched, waxed, and double vaxxed!
Allure: What was it like traveling during COVID with all your makeup?
Did the way you transport your drag change because of the pandemic?
I did not even attempt to take anything with me on the plane.
A lot of things I checked.
I was a little nervous about that, but it all traveled and got there safely.
For me right now, what I’m using the most of is skin products.Maskne is a thing.
I don’t mind bickering with anybody, but Ido notbicker with my skin.
There’s absolutely no fighting there because I will lose every time.
I keep my skin really nice and hydrated.
What I’m using right now is the ZO skin product line.
I’ve tried everything on the market and I am obsessed.
For me, being fair-skinned with freckles, someone that is a lover of the sun, someone that…
I’m not old, I’mestablished I have to really take care of my skin.
It is the foundation to the beauty that I want to exude on stage.
ZO Skin Health
ZO Skin Health Growth Factor Serum
I love everything down from the face polish.
My favorite is theGrowth Factor Serum.
Allure: Students from yourdance schoolwere recently onAmerica’s Got Talent.
It’s clear they adore you.
AE:My world is full.
It’s so full of happiness and joy and beauty and beautiful souls.
And the energy is so exciting.
And I’m a tough teacher I’m going into my 20th year [of teaching].
I have so much to be proud of.
And watching that performance, me standing there in drag, them accepting me, celebrating me.
I was like, this is what Pride looks like for me.
I get to freely celebrate my authenticity.
And I get to do that with the youth of today and the future of tomorrow.
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