Netflix’s Queer Eye has turned Tan France, JVN, Bobby Berk, Karamo, and Antoni into household names. It’s also one of the biggest successes on the streaming channel’s lineup, which is no mean feat for a reality show.
Unlike other makeover shows, the revamped version of Queer Eye cuts deep.
I don’t know about you but I rarely finish an episode without a tear in my eye, often but not always, cued by one of Karamo’s heartfelt speeches. However, it’s the Queer Eye tips that really grab my attention.
5 Extraordinarily Epic Queer Eye Tips
Beyond the hilarious quips and motivational Queer Eye quotes, the Fab Five regularly come up with some of the best advice I’ve heard in years.
Want to get inspired? Keep reading for my pick of the best Queer Eye tips.
1. Let Curiosity Compound
As the Queer Eye culture expert, Karamo Brown is full of thought-provoking insights and ideas, such as when he urges us to, “explore one curiosity a day”.
Karamo suggested learning more about a culture that interests you, trying new foods for lunch, or even searching for greater self-awareness. It doesn’t have to be anything super intellectual or time-consuming.
But giving it a go means you’ll explore 365 curiosities a year, which is an excellent way to expand your mind and your world.
2. Make Your Home a “Sanctuary”
Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk understands how your home should reflect who you are while also providing a sanctuary from the world. But it’s difficult to relax and feel at home if you live in an untidy mess that you’ve made little effort to care for.
His advice? Take more pride in your home by cleaning up after yourself.
It may sound simple or obvious but your space has a big effect on your happiness. Keeping it tidy and decorating in a way that makes you happy can make a huge difference to how you feel, both at home and in general.
As for decorating, you don’t have to do anything fancy, but do decorate in a way that makes you feel happy, centered, and calm.
According to Bobby, their should be nooks and spaces in your home that make you want to linger. Your home should be inviting. It should feel safe, like your own personal sanctuary away from the world.
Want another useful Bobby Berk tip? Make comfort a priority by investing in a good bed and a nice couch. Then, add your favorite colors into the mix to brighten things up.
3. Dress to Impress (Yourself)
Tan’s Queer Eye fashion tips can be blunt from time to time. But his honesty comes from a good place and often gives people the push they need to make a change.
Above all, he encourages making an effort with your clothing. But he also stresses the importance of dressing to impress yourself before you consider anyone else’s opinion.
And, while your clothes should reflect who you are, there are ways to show off what you have while ensuring that the finished result has you feeling confident yet comfortable.
Not sure what suits you or what size to go for? Ask for help.
Clothing sales assistants aren’t just there to check the warehouse for stock. They’re well-versed in the best cuts and sizes for all customers and are a valuable resource when finding your style.
4. Treasures vs. Trash
The Fab Five often stress the importance of knowing and loving who you are. And, your family and background are a huge part of that.
Antoni Porowski, the Queer Eye food expert, is a strong advocate for cooking and enjoying good food as a form of love and self-care.
One way to put in the effort in the kitchen while giving life to traditions is to make a family recipe or one of your family’s favorite holiday foods. As well as keeping up traditions and reconnecting with happy memories from your past, you’ll get to eat something delicious.
Likewise, it’s important to treasure meaningful possessions and keepsakes, rather than throwing them in a box and forgetting about them. This could mean putting old photographs in an album or getting your grandfather’s favorite chair reupholstered.
Whether these important items are out on display or kept safe and secure, treat them with the love they deserve.
On the flip side of the coin, simply because a household item has been around for a long-time does not make it a treasure. Learn to identify “treasures” and separate out “trash.”
5. Self Care Is Non-Negotiable
No matter how you identify, Jonathon Van Ness‘ hair and makeup tips from Queer Eye are pure gold.
But when it comes to self-care we’d go so far as to say that he’s militant, stating in one of his most famous Queer Eye quotes that “self-care is the non-negotiable” and it has nothing to do with vanity.
His pillars of self-care include:
- Applying sunscreen every day
- Treating yourself with regular face masks and body scrubs
- Avoiding products containing sodium lauryl sulfate
Follow his advice and you’ll soon see that there’s no need to make excuses to pamper yourself as self-care is its own reward.
6. Swap Microwave Meals for “Miracle Tech”
Cooking at home is one of the best ways to ensure you’re eating healthier. But zapping a microwave meal for three minutes does not constitute home cooking!
Quick and easy instant meals might save you time and work for your busy schedule. But eating these foods don’t provide the nourishment and nutrients you need to keep up with a hectic life.
Luckily, Antoni is here with a solution – buy an Instapot or a crockpot!
An Instapot is a modern, inexpensive and extremely versatile tool for tenderly cooking foods at breakneck pace. Impressively, the Instapot can turn frozen piece of protein into a tender cut of meat in as little as 20 minutes. It can also sauté vegetables without you needing to stand watch.
These are just a few of the reasons that I have two Instapots—and use both daily.
Because you don’t need to be present while it works, you can can toss in a chunk of meat and broth into it in the morning and come home to a savory home-cooked meal whenever you please. The Instapot will automatically switch to “warming” the food after the cooking process is complete, so you don’t have to stress.
Similarly, the crockpot is a handy kitchen tool where all you need to do is gather up your ingredients and throw them in the pot to cook throughout the day.
Then, no matter how late you get in or how tired you are, you know that there’ll be a fresh home-cooked meal waiting for you.
7. Compliment Each Other (About Real Stuff)
During the Queer Eye post-makeover reveals, the Fab Five are always on hand to shower their participants with praise and compliments.
Beyond the tears, cheering, and applause, the best Queer Eye episodes highlight how much these compliments mean to the recipients. They’re probably not used to hearing this kind of praise from anyone but their mom.
Given this, isn’t it time that we make a point of changing the idea that compliments have to be superficial?
While the Fab Five do take time to acknowledge a great fitting outfit or a modern but classic haircut, they also notice (and compliment) many other types of personal growth.
Next time you’re with important people in your life, try complimenting them about things beyond their appearance — such as courage, transformation, vulnerability, generosity, impact or anything else that you notice or admire.
Queer Eye Tips to Live By
As these Queer Eye tips show, there’s a lot more to learn from the Fab Five than how to add more color to your wardrobe or style your hair to defy gravity.
While you might not be one of the lucky few to benefit from a Queer Eye makeover, putting this advice into practice will enhance your life no end.
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