Trans Daughter Reveals Glam Makeup Look to Her Mother for the First Time: ‘The Best Feeling’

A trans woman recently shared an emotional milestone with her mother when she revealed her full glam makeup look for the first time.

Natalie Rae Medina, 32, came out as trans to her family last year. In a heartfelt TikTok video, she captured the moment she showed her mother, Margarita, her “dolled-up” appearance — complete with a bold eye look, false lashes, and a glossy lip. Margarita’s jaw dropped as she took in her daughter’s look, immediately telling her, “Oh my god, you look beautiful.” Rising from her chair to embrace Natalie Rae, she repeated the compliment and added, “I love you, I love you, I love you.”

“After so many tears and conversations, I was finally not only able to be myself but also present myself as I truly am,” Natalie Rae told PEOPLE.

Although she came out just over a year ago, Natalie Rae says she’s “always known” she was trans. As a child, she often felt she had to pretend, carefully controlling her mannerisms for fear of being outed. Growing up in a “religious and conservative” small Midwestern town, she spent years hiding her identity.

On July 3, 2024, she decided to “choose [her] truth over anything else” and came out to her parents. They were initially surprised and confused, but her mom’s first words — “I love you” — stayed with her. That acceptance gave her the strength to begin her transition knowing she had her family’s support.

Since then, Natalie Rae has started her medical transition. She says gender-affirming care “truly saves lives,” and incorporating makeup into her routine has helped her navigate difficult moments and affirm her identity.

“Living your life as your authentic self is the best feeling,” she said. “It’s what keeps me strong during challenging times, whether it’s going through electrolysis or facing people who disagree with your existence.”

Her recent TikTok is one example of how her family is not just accepting but actively learning how to best support her. Her mother has been meeting with an LGBTQ+ therapist, and relatives attend “Trans Q&A BBQs” to ask questions and better understand her experience.

For Natalie Rae, revealing her glam look to her mother was more than just a beauty moment — it was a deeply personal step in her journey.

“After years of depression, hiding, and being ashamed, I can finally be me and be proud of my trans identity, in the open,” she told PEOPLE. “I feel as if my life prior to this moment was in black and white, and now it’s in color.”