Whether we’ll see Sivan in full drag again is anyone’s guess, but he’s been inspired by women his whole life. “My mom was a model when she was younger, and we have this photo book at home of all of her work,” he says. “Those were probably some of my earliest memories of advertising, just seeing my mom in campaigns.” Today, he has another source of beauty inspo: Charli XCX. “She and her glam team are so incredible,” he says. “Obviously I saw them every day, and it was never the same look twice. Just gorgeous.”
Backstage on the Sweat Tour, the pair bonded plenty. “I would go into her dressing room when she was getting glammed up and we would just chat, which was really nice,” says Sivan. “It became part of the pre-show ritual for us to just get into the zone together.” Night after night, Sivan turned up the heat with his provocative costumes; needless to say, he lived up to the name of the tour. “I was definitely sweaty, but I take pride in the fact that I don’t think I ever smelled bad,” he says.
Scent has long been a big part of Sivan’s world. In 2023, he and his brother launched the fragrance company Tsu Lange Yor, the name of which means “to long years” in Yiddish. (Sivan was raised in an Orthodox Jewish home and has said that his great-grandmother spoke the language.). “When I first started coming to L.A., I would stay at my manager’s house and he would burn Diptyque candles,” says Sivan. “I was like, ‘Oh, wow, this is on another level.’ Fragrance can really change the way that you experience any space, and I think that it’s such a beautiful way to express yourself. That’s why Tsu Lange Yor is one of the most important and fulfilling things that I do.”
Beyond fragrance, Sivan sticks to a few core beauty products. “As far as makeup goes, it’s definitely the Rabanne Fresh Touch Foundation,” he says. “It’s buildable in a really nice way, so if you want a light look, you can just use less.” He’s also developed a newfound appreciation for hair-care staples. “I think an underrated hair situation is your shampoo and conditioner,” he says. “Since I was on the road for a long time, I always brought my own shampoo and conditioner with me. I didn’t want to be reliant on the ones in a hotel, and I feel like it kept my hair healthy. It really starts you off well for a good hair day, too.”