8 Signs You’re the Latina Beauty Guru in Your Friend Group

young latin woman doing her beauty routine

We all have that one Latina friend who knows everything and anything about beauty. You don’t know what shade of blush goes well with your complexion? She has the answer. If you’re looking for a better moisturizer, she can provide at least 3 options off the top of her head. Are you the Latina beauty guru of your friend group? Here are 8 signs the answer is yes, absolutely:


You just understand skincare

Latina woman applying skincare product to her facePhoto by Kalos Skincare on Unsplash

For many people, skincare is still this strange ritual they just can’t seem to figure out. Not for you, though. You have your skincare down to a science and you understand what your skin needs. In that journey, you’ve learned a lot about skincare in general, so you’re a treasure trove of skincare routine insights, what products are worthwhile, and what ingredients to seek out.

You’ve embraced homemade beauty solutions

Latina woman doing beauty routine with cucumber slices

Photo by Los Muertos Crew on Pexels

Beauty traditions and rituals are often passed down through generations, so you’re also that Latina beauty guru friend who knows how to incorporate natural remedies. You’ve probably inherited some valuable knowledge from your mamá or abuelita, so you know your natural ingredients. Beauty practices like the Mexican Rebozo facial massage or Colombian body wraps are ways you honor the diverse beauty heritage of your people.

Your makeup techniques are on point

Latina woman with makeup

Photo by Ramon Hernandez on Pexels

One thing about Latina beauty gurus is that they’ve always had a passion for makeup. Ever since they got their first set of fake makeup when they were little, they’ve been painting their faces. Your makeup skills have been decades in the making, so of course your techniques are on point. You know exactly what works for your face and you can offer guidance to your friends on how to enhance their natural features. You have a flawless base, can create stunning eye looks for any occasion, and are the queen of perfect lip combos.

Hair care matters to you as much as skincare

Latin woman with curls

Photo by Thuanny Gantuss on Pexels

Latina beauty gurus understand that hair is one of the most important accessories a woman can have. That’s why their hair care routine is as strong as their skincare routine. Whether you have curly, wavy, straight hair, or anything in between, you’ve learned what your hair needs. You’ve also embraced your hair type and you’ve learned how to bring out its best characteristics. You’re likely also a master at hairstyling and you’re always trying new ones.

You don’t gatekeep your beauty tips and advice

Latino family posing for the camera while all wearing a beauty facial mask on their faces

Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels

Latina beauty gurus are generous with their beauty tips and advice! That’s because talking about makeup, skincare, hair care, and more is one of their favorite topics. The beauty world is very interesting and there’s always something new going on. Whether that’s a new trend, skincare hacks, helpful tricks, and more, there’s no shortage of beauty news. If you’re the go-to for beauty tips and advice, you’re definitely a beauty guru.

You advocate for inclusive beauty

plus size latina woman posing for photo

Photo by Alyssa Baches on Unsplash

As a Latina who’s passionate about everything beauty, you like to see yourself and your community represented in the industry. That’s why you not only advocate for inclusive beauty, but also support influencers, brands, and initiatives that do the same. Beauty comes in all shades, shapes, and forms, and you want to see imposed beauty ideals lose their grip on everyone.

You’re always on top of beauty trends

Woman showing her nails painted with a striking and creative design

Photo by Budka Damdinsuren on Unsplash

Beauty trends, new products, new techniques, and innovations in the beauty industry are always on your radar. If you’re a Latina beauty guru, your social media feed is likely full of beauty influencers you admire and beauty brands you support. If there’s a new eyeshadow palette, skincare treatment, beauty product, or makeup hack, you know about it and you share it with your girls. That group chat is a wealth of beauty knowledge!

You inspire others to embrace their beauty

Group of Latina women looking beautiful and empowered for the photo

Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

Makeup, skincare, and all that stuff is not about vanity, it’s about self-expression, self-love, self-esteem, and self-confidence. You’ve come to understand that the power of makeup and taking care of yourself allows you to embrace your unique beauty. That’s what you want other people to get out of it, so you share uplifting messages, support your girls on their own journey, and encourage women to love themselves as they are, and use makeup and self-care to enhance their beauty.

hands holding up yellow protest signs that say Hands Off Our Bodies
Photo Credit: Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash

Originally published in Common Dreams. Reprinted with permission.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

In November, abortion rights measures will appear on ballots across ten states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New York, where Latinos make up a significant portion of the electorate. For decades, pundits and politicians have recycled long-held misconceptions about Latino voters and abortion access, citing our conservative and religious beliefs.

Anti-abortion extremists have long fueled these misconceptions through misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting Latino communities with egregious lies and inflammatory rhetoric about abortion. Yet, polling, focus groups, and direct interactions with Latino communities have debunked these outdated tropes.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

For Latinos, the freedom to decide, a pillar of our American democracy, is critical. Meanwhile, Latinos are being hit directly with anti-abortion efforts that take away that freedom such as the six-week abortion ban put into effect by the Florida Supreme Court and the 1864 abortion ban upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, people of color and Latinas have felt the impact of a lack of abortion access, an element of basic healthcare.

A 2023 report by the National Partnership for Women and Families estimated that nearly 6.5 million Latinas, or 42% of all Latinas of reproductive age in the country, live in a state that either had or was likely to ban abortion. Ironically, it will be abortion access and anti-choice efforts to restrict freedom of choice that will mobilize Latino voters this election.

In a poll conducted by three national reproductive justice organizations, 87% of Latinas named abortion and women’s rights as one of their top priorities as they head to the polls. Another battleground poll conducted by Somos PAC and BSP Research found that 61% of Latino registered voters expressed a more positive/favorable view of Kamala Harris after hearing that she will protect abortion rights, versus only 19% of Latinos who said they had a more negative view of Harris after hearing that.

In key states to secure the White House and both chambers, Latinos make up large chunks of the electorate: Arizona (25%), Colorado (15%), Florida (20%), Nevada (20%), and New York (12%). In the face of unprecedented attacks on basic healthcare access and targeted attempts by extremists to mislead and divide our community on this issue, this November Latinos will be key deciders on abortion access across the country.

Mari Urbina, Managing Director of Indivisible, Battleground Arizona Lead and former Harry Reid advisor.

Héctor Sánchez Barba is president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota (MFV).

This Viral Video Game Is Changing the Face of Voter Outreach

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.