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‘The first lady is a beautiful person inside and out’

Makeup artist Carl Ray assists Michelle Obama with her public face

Published

12 years ago

January 20, 2015

‘Working with her is a great experience, the honor of a lifetime,’ says Carl Ray, who works as first lady Michelle Obama’s makeup artist. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

As a child, he first began applying makeup to the visage of the most important woman in his life. An aptitude for art and affinity for beauty would eventually lead to doing the same for the first lady of the United States.

At age 14, now long prominent and locally pioneering D.C.-based makeup artist Carl Ray casually commented to his mother while she was seated at her vanity mirror, “I don’t think you’re doing that right.” His keen painterly instinct and developing eye for facial enhancement so impressed her that she insisted on his assistance each morning, even waking him up at times to work his magic. Recently divorced from his father, Ray wanted to get her out on dates and happily re-married. He succeeded.

A quick study at honing a fascination for fashion and the styles of the day, Ray was drawn to immersing himself in red-carpet looks and celebrity runway appearances through the pages of magazines.

An only child, born at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince Georges County, Navy brat Ray would spend his early years growing up in Italy, Morocco and Puerto Rico. He returned to the U.S. with his parents to attend junior high school in Virginia Beach.

Accustomed to living near water, the athletic Ray excelled as a high school swimmer, winning state and AAU competitions. Up early every morning to hit the pool, he was known for his breaststroke prowess and also as an avid and accomplished surfer. The popular athlete often hung out with the girls in his classes and dated cheerleaders.

“I did the whole girlfriend thing,” the 49-year-old Ray says, noting he had “never met a gay person and didn’t know what that meant. I just thought I was a weirdo for being attracted to men. But I knew it was something people disapproved of being.”

Also a member of the baseball team, Ray played first base and was a pitcher. “I still am,” he says with a hearty laugh. He came out to his friends shortly before graduation.

He would next earn an associate degree in business while studying commercial art. Ray discovered that painting helped him overcome dyslexia through concentration on activities focusing the right side of his brain. Impressionism was his early love, later developing a more abstract style on the canvas. A painter’s brushes and an artist’s color blending captivated his attention, later fueling a self-taught career.

“I became a fiend for art, painting and photography,” Ray says.

Moving to D.C. in 1991, Ray said the city reminded him of his youth in Europe. His childhood experiences drew him to “a lively city with an abundance of culture,” even if D.C. was more conservative in tone and texture. He soon landed a job at a trendsetting high-end cosmetics and luxury beauty product retailer on Connecticut Avenue near Dupont Circle. He quickly developed relationships with visiting brand representatives, who recognized his interest in makeup and skin care when introducing new products to staff.

“It was a very organic path to a career,” Ray says. “I established a niche for myself as the first resident makeup artist.” He assisted customers in selecting products and training them on how to use and apply them. “I understood that I had a talent and an ability to make women look and feel beautiful.”

Customers began requesting appointments with Ray, hoping he would help them determine what skin care regimens, makeup products and colors, and application techniques would work best for them. He had created his dream job.

“D.C. was playing catch-up in the field and the time was right,” he says. “The opportunity to evolve our services allowed me to pioneer an in-house position that existed in only a few cities then and is more available in D.C. now.”

Ray, who is single, describes himself as a “bridal guru.” He refers to weddings as the closest thing to a “runway event” in local lifestyles. As he developed a client roster, Ray welcomed a bride’s makeup request for a high-profile Georgetown wedding, a service that has since grown to become a specialty.

It was that wedding engagement as an on-site makeup artist that propelled Ray to seek an advance in his then-nascent career in 1999. With only a magazine tear sheet of the nuptial event coverage highlighting his bridal makeup artistry, he walked into the premier salon in D.C. hoping to interest management in bringing him on as their first makeup specialist. He was hired, both for his craft and his chutzpah, and has been the exclusive Artistic Talent at the George Salon at the Four Seasons Hotel ever since.

Recalling his early days at the salon being like “a fish out of water,” Ray would float through the space “bravely” offering to apply lipstick on salon patrons, providing suggestions regarding new shades and discussing additional products that might be of interest. “Clients would see me working or be recommended by others,” he remembers, but “I had to learn how to approach people.” It was a task that proved easily compatible with Ray’s affable manner and winsome personality.

As Ray’s client list expanded, he also garnered gigs for editorial features, magazine covers, film and studio work, fashion events, celebrity and political appearances, TV interviews, foreign dignitary visits, photography shoots and advertising campaigns. His work began appearing in Vogue, the Wall Street Journal, the New Yorker, Glamour, Allure, Elle, Ebony, Town & Country, Bride & Groom, Bride, Lady’s Home Journal and other publications, as well as on television network news and entertainment programs.

Ray’s fashion credits include makeup work seen on the catwalk for Donna Karan, Escada, Gucci, Carolina Herrera, Dolce & Gabbana, Yeollee, and the Vera Wang Fashion Show. His wedding credits include the Reem Acra Bridal Show, Oscar de la Renta Bridal, Monique Lhuillier Bridal, Rivini Bridal and Marchesa Bridal.

Ray has been honored as the top makeup artist for 15 consecutive years by Washingtonian magazine. Freelance work often has him traveling to New York, Los Angeles and other cities.

As accolades and achievements grew as numerous as the brushes in his black canvas Zuca makeup case, Ray received a call nearly six years ago that he remembers well. He was invited to the White House to prepare first lady Michelle Obama for a public appearance, the first of several “audition” opportunities that would lead to joining her personal staff as exclusive makeup artist.

“The first lady is a beautiful person inside and out,” Ray says. “She is a special woman who is very strong, very passionate. Working with her is a great experience, the honor of a lifetime. She is the most ‘real’ individual I have ever met.”

“I love the canvas, she has a beautiful face,” Ray says of “one of the most photographed women in the world, who also has a fashion style recognized around the world.” He notes that his favorite portfolio piece is Obama’s Vogue magazine cover photographed by Annie Liebovitz. His favorite moment was her recent visit with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.

Describing Michelle Obama as “very much an easygoing person,” Ray praises her down-to-earth personality. “She is very sweet,” he notes, “and so damn funny and hilarious. I feel privileged to be so close to her, and appreciate her being a big supporter of me professionally and personally. She is a great mentor to me and the rest of the world.”

During the 2012 campaign, Ray admits to sometimes not knowing what city he was in due to an often-whirlwind schedule. Accompanying FLOTUS, he points out, “feels like being on television’s ‘The Amazing Race.’” He hastens to emphasize that “we never discuss politics and I am tight-lipped about talking about her and her family. I respect her and respect her privacy.”

Ray continues to see clients on a regular schedule at the George Salon, balanced with his White House duties and other work. He is proud to provide services to a full complement of Washington women, and a number of men, some famous and most not.

His intrinsic skills, success in trailblazing a new-to-Washington career, and achieving distinction in his field excite Ray about future opportunities to “continue to be a part of the progression of the industry,” he says.

Ray’s response to the frequent letters he receives from young people from across the country asking for advice about becoming a makeup artist is emblematic of his path so far. “Follow your heart and your passion,” he offers in reply, “and you may get to do what you love — like I have.”

Michelle Obama, gay news, Washington Blade

First lady Michelle Obama addressed the Democratic National Convention in 2012. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

For more information, visit Carl Ray’s website at CarlRayMakeupArtist.com or CarlRayMakeupArtist on Instagram.

Mark Lee is a long-time entrepreneur and community business advocate. Follow him on Twitter: @MarkLeeDC or reach him at [email protected].

a&e features

Rainbows in Revolt on a mission to make LGBTQ artists’ voices heard

Published

1 week ago

July 29, 2026

Kyle Rood

Lily Erin, one of Rainbows in Revolt’s signature artists, performed at Capital Pride in June. (Photo courtesy of Rainbows in Revolt)

Last month’s Pride celebration in D.C. was so fun. Walking around my first Capital Pride with a $15 lemonade I was loving the madness and the color. Artists and small businesses battling banks you’ve never heard of collecting your personal information so you can spin a wheel to snag free merch. Great music blaring, people actually smiling and enjoying themselves, the “Great” American State Fair could never!

The Monument Stage was on Pennsylvania Avenue, directly in front of the National Gallery of Art and I can’t think of a better venue to see live music. How does someone get on the lineup for Pride? How do we accelerate the visibility of the most talented voices in our community to perform in places like this?

There is certainly not a talent gap, but there is a visibility gap. Chappell Roan went from playing for two people in a parking lot to owning the main stage at Coachella in one year. Whether it is shadowbanning or bias in AI, algorithms have been shown to suppress queer artists. In a digital age, how can queer people break through and show the world how talented they are?

Allison and Matt of Rainbows in Revolt are on a mission to make openly LGBTQ+ artists’ voices heard. Their goal is to find “musicians whose queerness is central to their identity as an artist,” and accelerate them to a place where they can actually reach fans.

The only time queer events seem to be in the spotlight is June, but this should be year round, according to Allison and Matt. Rainbows in Revolt wants to act as a “nucleus” for different sub-communities, finding common ground in the universal language of music.

Matt and Allison founded Rainbows as a way to make cheaper, higher quality merchandise for queer artists. While Rainbows has already pledged 20% of their profits to the LGBTQ+ community, with 10% to Whitman-Walker Health and 10% to LGBTQ+ organizations in need, this is just the beginning of the work that they do.

Rainbows “does the dirty work” that artists normally struggle to do on their own with limited resources. Interviews, artist profiles, social promotion, playlist discovery, radio outreach, and merch-funded support. This work is normally expensive, time consuming, and requires lots of different skills. Musicians don’t want to be editing clips to post online. Standup comedians don’t want to make graphics for their tour dates. They want to write more. They want to focus on their craft.

In addition to helping artists find their audience, Rainbows has built other digital tools to help queer people connect, including an interactive Safe Space Map for most major cities. It is hard to know which places are truly safe and supportive just from a simple Google search. Attitudes and actions change, and there should be a simple way for queer people to find other places that align with them. The Safe Spaces Maps are all up to date, and are tagged and filterable. Instead of relying on forums and word of mouth, Rainbows has created a centralized way to find authentic community quickly.

I had a chance to talk with Allison and Matt at Pride where Lily Erin, one of their signature artists, was performing on the Monument stage. Lily Erin is a folk singer who is familiar and forging her own path. Her bittersweet sound echoes through Acadia, and her garb mirrors the New England athletes I grew up with. Gorp Core meets streetwear. A graphic tee, hiking shorts, and creamsicle Jordans.

Her debut single, “Bus Stop,” tells a sad story about unconditional love, and the conditions that still seem to come with it. Graduating into lockdown, Erin needed a new way to connect with herself and others. Lily made “Bus Stop” without an intention to share it, but doing so was a liberation. People have been responding to her honesty around queer-ness, family, and the “ghosts which haunt us” even in the daytime.

Rainbows in Revolt has helped Lily Erin go from bars and backyards to The Monument Stage at Pride. This is a meteoric rise, and a testament to both Erin’s talent and the work of Rainbows to promote her. “A little encouragement goes a long way with early artists,” and by “planting a seed” Rainbows is already seeing their artist garden grow. Community is power, and Erin is a perfect example of how effective simple modern techniques of promotion can be.

A next step for Rainbows is putting on shows themselves. On Oct. 3, Rainbows in Revolt will host an Evening with Ray Boltz at the National City Christian Church. Boltz grew up in the Catholic Church and for many years was the soundtrack to many services, youth camps, and church groups. He was celebrated by millions until he came out in 2008. Allison remembers her community “never playing his music again.”

Rainbows in Revolt is helping him to return to the church, and proving that identity does not need to be exclusive. We live in a complicated world with complicated lines being drawn. Boltz proves that these lines don’t exist, and will be breaking down barriers to bring together communities. To Allison, “a trans woman standing next to a straight white man in church is a powerful teacher.”

The Safe Space maps bridge all types of spaces, and one of the unlikely ones is, perhaps, churches. Matt said that “BYU has only nine safe spaces around their campus and seven of them are churches.” Not all churches are anti-gay, and many times they are the only place for people to find community.

Rainbows in Revolt is just getting started bridging gaps and building community.

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Summer in the City: Free exhibits, movies, more fill D.C.’s calendar

America 250 celebrations continue

Published

2 weeks ago

July 26, 2026

Emma LaPointe

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star in ‘Wicked,’ screening Sept. 12 at Union Market. (Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

From late-night museum visits and outdoor jazz concerts to free movie screenings and America250 exhibitions, Washington’s summer calendar is packed with events that don’t charge admission. Here’s a look at some of the free activities happening across the District through September and beyond.

Museum exhibitions

The Renwick Gallery is presenting State Fairs: Growing American Craft, an exhibition that looks at unique and unconventional crafts from the 19th century to the present. It will run until Sept. 7, and admission is free.

The Arts and Industries Building, located next to the Smithsonian Castle, is presenting the exhibition Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America. The exhibition features the development of American independence and what that has meant over time, beginning with the Revolutionary War. Admission to the museum is free, and the exhibition runs until Sept. 7.

The National Gallery of Art presents Dear America, an exhibit featuring more than 100 pieces of work, including letters, photographs, and drawings that depict American landscapes and depictions of freedom. The exhibition will run until Sept. 20.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts is exhibiting Burnished: Pueblo Pottery until Sept. 27. The exhibit features pottery from the Southwest, and while most of the pottery belongs to women artists, a few also reflect those who have advocated for women.

Extending past this summer, the exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa will be at the National Museum of the American Latino until July 2028. The exhibition shows how Afro-Cuban music has become a staple in the U.S. Admission is free.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will feature the exhibition District Vibes / American Pride: How DC Changed American Culture, which will highlight all of the ways D.C. has impacted American life. The exhibit will run until Sept. 27.

At the Folger Shakespeare Library, the exhibit Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era will be on view through Aug. 2. All the portraits on display come from the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery in London.

The United States Botanic Garden will be open until 8 p.m. on Aug. 20 and Sept. 17, as part of America’s State Flowers: An America250 Celebration. The evenings will include live music, mocktails, ice cream, and snacks.

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden will have extended hours, staying open until 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday until Sept. 3.

Live performances

On Aug. 7, the postgame Nationals concert series will continue with Jordan Davis performing. To see the concert, guests just need to buy tickets to the Nationals game.

Jazz in the Garden will run each Friday until Aug. 14. The event has free admission, but those interested have to enter a lottery due to the high demand for the event.

From May to October, Capital Harvest Market occurs every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The market features fresh foods, crafts, and recipes for unique dishes. A full list of vendors is available on Capital Harvest’s website.

Live! Concert Series on the Plaza will feature live performances at Woodrow Wilson Plaza until Sept. 25. The performances run Monday to Friday from 12-1 p.m. Admission is free to the performances.

DowntownDC Live! at Anthem Row is running until July 30, with free performances every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The final performance will feature HUE and a vintage flea market hosted by Get Flee Marketplace.

Located in Adams Morgan, AdMo Vibe will present live performances every Thursday at 6 p.m. in Kalorama Park. Guests are encouraged to check out Adams Morgan before and after shows, and it is an event for all ages.

Other events

Union Market is hosting drive-in movies on Aug. 8, featuring “Monsters, Inc.”, and Sept. 12, featuring “Wicked.” On Aug. 8, the parking lot will open at 7:30 p.m., with the movie starting at 8:25 p.m. On Sept. 12, the parking lot will open at 6:35 p.m., and the movie will start at 7:30 p.m.

Sunset Cinema at the Wharf will also be available one day a month. On Aug. 12, “10 Things I Hate About You” will premiere, and on Aug. 26, “Project Hail Mary.” No tickets are necessary.

The Library of Congress will also show movies. On Aug. 6, guests are invited to watch “Apollo 13.” The movie will be shown at 8 p.m., with additional live performances beginning at 7 p.m.

For fans of Asian media, the Okaton convention will be at Walter E. Washington Convention Center from July 31-Aug. 2. Festivities will include cosplay contests, skits, live music, and panel discussions.

Washington Spirit’s season also begins in August. The Spirit is Washington’s National Women’s League, with matchups occurring between the San Diego Wave, the North Carolina Courage, the Orlando Pride, and the Bay FC.

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Summer in D.C. brings sports, Restaurant Week, festivals, and more

Published

2 weeks ago

July 23, 2026

Evan Caplan

Washington Spirit CEO Kim Stone hosts Pride Night OUT on Sunday, Aug. 23. (Photo courtesy of Washington Spirit)

Summer in D.C. just hits different. Congress is out, school is out, the sun is out, thighs are out. With the skies clearing from Canadian smoke, here are a few ways to stay entertained.

Dining

Summer restaurant week: The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is once again hosting Summer Restaurant Week, Aug. 18-24. This weeklong dining experience showcases the dynamic dining scene of the DMV, including 2026 RAMMY Award-winning favorites (the annual D.C. food awards show that took place June 29). Participating restaurants will offer three-course brunch and lunch selections for $25 or $35 per person, and three-course dinners for $40, $55 and $65 per person.

New Restaurants: A handful of new spots have opened, so the summer is a great time to check them out:

Oribu: A new Mediterranean-Japanese restaurant in the Grand Hyatt hotel, which just underwent a remodeling effort. The sleek restaurant brings upscale charm, with dishes like Wagyu beef tartare with potato pavé and caviar.
The Oak Room: A snazzy old-school American grill has just opened in Georgetown, alongside its sister upstairs supper club (Bernadette’s) restaurant, in the old El Centro space.
Uchi: This showy Japanese sushi-forward chain has landed in Dupont with a chef’s tasting menu of favorites like fatty tuna.
Kathmandu: Recalling the capital of Nepal, this warm, buzzy subterranean restaurant right in the heart of U Street brings spice, flair, and rare ingredients to its dishes (see: buffalo burgers) and drinks.

Sports

Washington Spirit Pride Night OUT: On Sunday, Aug. 23, head to Audi Field for a massive, high-energy game following the exciting month of World Cup. The designated Pride Night OUT game promises boisterous crowds plus pre- and post-game community engagements.
Washington Tennis Open – Now called the Mubadala DC Open, this annual tournament is only combined mens’ and womens’ 500-level tennis tournament in the world. The open is one of D.C.’s longest-standing sports traditions, and will take place at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center July 25-Aug. 2. Naomi Osaka, Venus Williams, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and others are expected to play.

Festivals

Afro Plus Fest: This huge, three-day Afro-Caribbean Hip-Hop Festival brings together headliners Davido, Alkaline, and Wizkid, plus Tems and Ayra Starr. The event moves from RFK to the Northwest Stadium Complex for three days, Sept. 4-6.
Capital Fringe Festival: Running from July 11-21, this massive celebration features dozens of live theater, comedy, dance, and boundary-pushing nighttime performances across multiple DC neighborhoods.
The National Book Festival returns, with headliners like Cynthia Erivo, and Martin Scorsese. The one-day festival, Saturday, Aug. 22, brings together bookworms and word nerds under the theme “America 250: It’s Your Story.” There are talks, workshops, musical sessions and more.
All Things Go: A three-day festival Sept. 25-27 at Merriweather Post Pavilion featuring Mitski, Hayley Williams, Brandi Carlile, MUNA, Zara Larsson, Ethel Cain, and many, many more artists. There are single-day and three-day tickets. Featuring and highlighting female artists, the festival has turned into a must-see for many LGBTQ audience members.
Fuchsia Fest: The inaugural Fuchsia Fest is a new multi-day celebration created to celebrate LGBTQ community and expression, bringing together a mix of community gatherings, entertainment, and nightlife. The event takes place Sept. 18-20 and is hosted by Capital Pride.

Art and Music

United We Dance: A high-energy rave with house, techno, bass, and festival music, on Aug. 1 at the 9:30 Club.
The Fray. On Aug. 14, this American rock band famous for How To Save A Life is at Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Kesha: Kesha’s high-energy The Freedom Tour comes to the D.C. area on Aug. 14 at Jiffy Lube Live.
ALOK: On Sept. 3 at Lincoln Theater, ALOK (they/them) performs. The poet, comedian, and actor is putting on a new comedy show.
2charm, the emerging Australian electronic club-pop duo popular with the queer community, which blends hyperpop and dance music, comes to the Atlantis.
Sapphic Dance Party: a vibrant, inclusive nightlife and social event designed specifically for queer women, lesbians, bisexuals, trans individuals, and nonbinary folks, at Atlantis on Aug. 21.
Jazz in the Garden: The most quintessential of D.C. activities returns Friday evenings through Aug. 14. This season’s theme, “American Sounds,” is a nod to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Tunes themes range from Appalachian and Americana to Creole jazz, Hill Country blues, contemporary jazz, and more. Tickets are available through a lottery system a week before each event.