Red, White, & You: Celebrating Freedom (and Your Face) This Fourth of July

Marcie O
Jul 3, 2025
6 min read

Can you believe it’s almost Independence Day? For me, the Fourth isn't just about fireworks and barbecues; it’s my birthday! And this year, like many others, feels… complicated. When you’re queer, Black, disabled, and navigating chronic pain, depression, and anxiety, the idea of "patriotism" can hit differently. Trust me, I know. My body aches from old injuries and a year that knocked me flat, both physically and mentally. After fighting off COVID for months on end and losing all the progress I'd made—all those inches I worked so hard to shed, just for them to reappear—I know what it feels like to feel stuck, heavy, and invisible.

But even through all of that, I refuse to let the darkness steal my light. Especially on my birthday.

For me, makeup has always been more than just glam. It’s armor. It’s art. It's a quiet way of saying "I'm here," even when I'm not in the mood to speak. On a day like the Fourth, I use makeup as a way to claim space. Not necessarily to celebrate a flag, but to celebrate freedom. My freedom. Our freedom. The kind we create for ourselves when the world won't offer it willingly. It’s an act of defiance, a way to reclaim a little piece of myself and celebrate, even when the world outside feels upside down.

So, while I might not be on the front lines of every protest, I'm choosing to celebrate in my own way: with makeup, self-expression, and the people I love. Maybe this year, my "patriotic" look will be a little different—a nod to pride, a touch of something bolder, or perhaps just a deeper hue to match the mood. Because true freedom, for me, is about owning your space, your body, and your joy, no matter what.

Ready to find your kind of freedom through color? Let’s dive into some festive makeup ideas that let your spirit shine, whether you’re going all out or keeping it subtle.

1. Soft + Subtle: Just a Hint of Patriotic Energy

If you're heading to work, dinner with family, or just prefer a quieter look, this is for you. This approach is all about integrating color seamlessly into your everyday style. All you need are three colors: red, white, and blue (or your preferred flag colors for a personal twist).

Prep Your Canvas: Start with a good primer or even a dab of concealer on your eyelids. This makes your colors really pop and helps them last through a long day.
Lid Color: Choose the most prominent color from your outfit and apply that eyeshadow to your eyelid. For example, if you're wearing a red top with navy pants and white sneakers, you'd go with red on your lid.
Crease/Accent: Use your "accent" color in the crease or outer corner. If your outfit has white stars, a soft sweep of white shimmer in the crease can be incredibly elegant. Alternatively, use a thin line of white eyeliner for a subtle highlight.
Under-Eye Pop: Finish with a pop of your third color under the lash line. In our example, that would be a soft sweep of blue eyeshadow along your lower lash line.
Complete the Look: Finish with your favorite liner, mascara, and a nude or clear gloss. It’s a little secret sparkle that ties your whole look together, showing a subtle sense of celebration without saying too much.

2. Eyeliner Magic: For the "Just Enough" Girlies

Don’t want to deal with eyeshadow? No problem. Colored eyeliner can say everything with very little effort. This is perfect for those days when you're short on time or energy (and believe me, I know those days well, especially with chronic pain and brain fog).

Top Lid: Line your upper lid in a vibrant blue eyeliner. This provides a striking pop that immediately catches the eye.
Bottom Lid/Waterline: Use red on your waterline or just under your lower lashes for a bold contrast.
Inner Corner Glow: Dab a tiny bit of white shimmer or highlighter in your inner corner. This symbolizes the stars and brightens up your whole eye.

It’s festive, low-effort, and still totally wearable with jeans and a tee. Plus, this kind of look works beautifully with glasses, adding a fun detail without being overwhelming.

3. Bold + Glittery: The "Yes, I Did That" Look

Ready to go full celebration mode? Let’s do it. This is where you really play with lips, glitter, and dramatic eyes. After years of feeling like I had to hide parts of myself, going "all out" with makeup feels like an act of rebellion—a reminder that I get to decide how I show up.

Try a Flag-Inspired Lip: This is an incredible statement piece that’s surprisingly fun to create.

Striped Top Lip: Use red and white liner pencils or liquid lipsticks to draw 3-4 alternating stripes across one half of your top lip.
Blue Corner: Fill the other half of your top lip (the "star" section) with a blue liquid eyeshadow or liquid lipstick. These liquid formulas tend to be more opaque and precise for detailed work.
Striped Bottom Lip: Continue your red and white stripes across your bottom lip.
Add the Stars: Once the blue dries, use a highly pigmented white liquid liner or eyeshadow with a fine-tip brush to add a few tiny dots for the stars.
Finish with Shine: Add a generous layer of gloss for extra drama and shine.

For the Eyes, Consider:

A classic patriotic smokey eye: A red crease, white shimmer on the lid, and a deep navy blue in the outer corner for depth.
Embrace the sparkle: Apply star stickers or loose glitter across the brow bone or temples for a truly dazzling effect. (Just remember to use cosmetic-grade glitter for safety!)
A bold lash to tie it all together, whether that's extra mascara or a dramatic set of falsies.

This is perfect if you’re heading to a party, a BBQ, or just want to feel amazing in your selfies—even if you’re just staying home and gaming with your favorite people. (And trust me, a good gaming session with a killer makeup look is its own kind of therapy.)

Bonus: Flip the Colors for Pride Instead

If the traditional flag isn’t speaking to you this year, that’s more than okay. Flip the narrative and use your own flag’s colors to do a similar look. The trans flag, the lesbian flag, the bi flag (hello from a fellow bi/pan queen!), or any colors that scream "freedom" to you. This is your face. Your freedom. Your celebration. You get to decide what it looks like. Maybe I'll go full-on rainbow this year, celebrating all my parts, just because I can.

My Plans This Year (Spoiler: They Involve Love and Snacks)

I’m spending the day with my partners and their family. I don’t know what we’re doing exactly—probably food, games, laughter, and thankfully no political debates—but I’m going to wear something that makes me feel good. I might go rainbow. I might go goth-Americana. I might just wear my favorite gloss and call it a day. That’s the real freedom: choosing joy on your terms, surrounded by the people who cherish you.

As Mark Twain wisely said, "Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life." And for me, this Fourth of July, it's good company, great makeup, and a conscience at peace because I’m choosing joy where I can find it.

It’s Okay to Feel Complicated—Celebrate Anyway

You don’t have to love the state of the country to enjoy a summer holiday. You don’t have to feel 100% patriotic to feel beautiful. And you definitely don’t have to skip your glitter just because things are hard right now.

Makeup can be a form of resistance, a way to reclaim space, or just a creative outlet when the world feels like too much. So whether you’re subtle, bold, queer, angry, grieving, glowing, or still figuring it out—there’s a look for you. Remember, you don’t need to be perfect to show up and shine. My own journey as a life coach, having navigated homelessness, chronic pain, and mental health struggles, has taught me that true power isn't about being flawless, but about being present and persistent.

Happy Fourth (and Happy Birthday to me).

What Does Freedom Look Like For You?

I’m building this space for us—a community where we can talk about the messy, the magical, and everything in between. What does "freedom" mean to you right now? How are you choosing to celebrate or express yourself this Fourth of July (or any day)? Share your thoughts or your favorite festive look ideas in the comments below.

We're in this together, navigating the world one brushstroke, one step, and one day at a time.