Oct. 11, 2016, was a life-changing day for YouTuber, famed Instagrammer, and makeup artist James Charles.
today literally has me speechless wow— James Charles (@James Charles) 1476232471
The 17-year-old announced he was the newest face for iconic beauty brand CoverGirl.
I can finally announce that I am officially a new @COVERGIRL. 🎉🎈 First boy ever & I am so excited to see whats comi… https://t.co/hzLgzJuMVv— James Charles (@James Charles) 1476192373
It was the first time ever that a boy landed the role of brand ambassador for the brand.
Ok ladies now let's glow in formation.✨ https://t.co/ngYUtlCNMi— James Charles (@James Charles) 1474234623
The big moment wasn't wasted on Charles, who wrote on Instagram that he was "so beyond excited and overwhelmed and happy and astonished and of course, SHOOK" over the huge news.
"I truly hope that this shows that anyone and everyone can wear makeup and can do anything if you work hard."
some fall glam for you 🍂 https://t.co/ILcev1jBXQ— James Charles (@James Charles) 1474936057
"Hey, if a random 17-year-old guy can [wear makeup], you DEFINITELY can too!” he said.
Charles understands his CoverGirl title is a big win for anyone out there who feels like they can't express themselves because of societal expectations.
“Breaking gender norms just comes instantly as soon as a boy is comfortable and confident enough to put on makeup," he told BuzzFeed.
Find a more iconic moment... I'll wait https://t.co/ByHlmxmQw4— Talia Mar (@Talia Mar) 1476211209
Fans and supporters couldn't have been more excited to hear Charles' life-changing news.
Because, hey — 2016 could use a little uplifting news right about now.
Folks were elated over what this may mean for countless other boys out there.
Some couldn't keep the smiles off their faces.
YES SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW #COVERGIRLJames— not a cross dresser (@not a cross dresser) 1476192902
And others noted the moment was a win for all of humanity.
The love and support for @jcharlesbeauty #CovergirlJAMES is amazing. Sometimes the world is a beautiful place— bai 🌧 (@bai 🌧) 1476211332
This isn't just awesome news for Charles. His CoverGirl gig is the latest crumbling of that age-old gender barrier that harms all of us.
From kids' toys and clothing brands to martial arts clubs and dads with painted fingernails, oppressive gender norms are dying out. Because we've come a long way in understanding gender isn't a binary concept.
This news might put some people a bit on edge (and if "some people" includes you — that's OK to admit!). Evolving cultural ideas and expectations can be scary and uncomfortable at first.
But it's important to understand that it's harmful to tell our kids that boys don't cry (or wear makeup, for that matter). And it hinders our girls when we subtly sway them from pursuing careers in math or science. The more we get the dangers of gender norms — and the importance of just being yourself — the better off we'll be.
Take it from Charles:
"I think it’s so important to love who you are and be comfortable in your own skin."
ready for NYFW day 2! 😊💕 https://t.co/ipF8PTUsYg— James Charles (@James Charles) 1473532867
12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.