The moment I stepped into the beauty industry, I knew I could have the opportunity to do something special but had no idea that I could create such a meaningful impact on people’s lives. I got a multitude of exposure within the industry from a young age: from joining hair and makeup competitions at the age of 18, being backstage at runway shows at the age of 20, collaborating with models and photographers, to travelling to educate for one of the biggest international beauty retailers! The most fascinating thing about this industry is that it is truly indestructible. The opportunities to grow as an individual, meet people from all walks of life, and the immense amount of gratitude you can feel as an artist seems… unreplaceable.
Within all these experiences, the moment that changed my perspective on what my future could look like was when I was helping a client at work in 2013. I am sharing this personal story on my website because it forever reminds me of my purpose. It has created such a powerful impact in my life and I hope can create some impact in yours too.
I was 18 years old. A new part time employee Sephora living my best beauty dreams. A client came into my store looking for a foundation. She was in her mid-late 20s and accompanied by her mom while she sat in a wheelchair. She shared with me she needed a product for New York, as she would be travelling to accept an award for her writing. As per usual, I proceeded to find a formulation and colour that would best suit her and showed her the product by applying it to half of her face. I pushed her over to the studio, moved the studio chair aside and rolled her up to the closer to the counter. I handed her a hand mirror and she began to cry. I was shocked. She apologized and observed the foundation some more. She agreed that she too, also liked the colour and finish and I proceeded to complete the foundation application. Soon after, she shared with me that she had been in therapy for cancer and had not observed herself so closely in the passing years. She did not recognize herself. The treatment caused her to grow thicker eyebrows, facial hair, and gave her rougher skin. I was heartbroken. I proceeded and asked my manager if I could complete her makeup, even though I was already finished my shift for the day. In that moment, I knew that it was only me that had the power to change the way she was feeling about herself, and I wanted to do everything I possibly could to make her feel beautiful again.
You would agree that you never truly know what someone is going through, until you are lucky enough to hear their story. I am thankful that this career allows me to encounter men and women from all different paths and thankful that they give me that trust to share with me their life stories, hardships and lessons. I am thankful for the power to create such an impact in their lives, and for their ongoing trust in me to help guide them to feeling more confident and beautiful in their own skin.
