For as long as I can remember, every waking morning I have taken a look in the mirror, and watched my face and my body change. I would like to say that this process has been welcomed and I have lovingly accepted the aging process. Most of the time my thoughts are filled with, "really should cover that spot! ooo those dark circles!...mmmm my hair could do with a cut, wow get my roots done! should I lighten my hair?" This never ending quest to improve and change the way I was naturally made.
My main passion about making a decision to become a makeup artist happened some 16 years ago. It was my high school formal, I was amazed at how the makeup artist transformed my face right before my eyes...all with makeup?! This to me was a miracle, right there in the makeup artists chair I felt my confidence grow with every freckle and every spot on my face she managed to conceal. I felt beautiful, and I wanted to know how to help others feel beautiful. And that is what I have spent the majority of my career doing, transforming peoples faces to enhance confidence, I have felt very blessed that I have been able to do this.
Although I have realised that with covering up the imperfections it has instilled a belief that flaws should be covered, changed, removed, cut out, botoxed out, whatever you do don’t accept. So I wondered, what would happen if I didn’t look over my face and body with judging eyes, If I stood in front of a mirror in all my nakedness, no makeup, and thought – this is me, this is the way I have been made, and I lovingly accept the way I am. Almost like looking at yourself as the observer, not so attached to what you see in the mirror, just a body like everyone else, and accepting the beauty in all its uniqueness, feeling gratitude that no one on this earth will ever look like this. Remembering the amazingness that is going on beneath the skin, your beating heart that allows you to receive oxygen and breathe, your nervous system that allows you to feel and touch, your digestive system that prcoesses the food we eat to give us energy, the billions of cells tiresely working 24/7 just to keep everything balanced and working, it truly is a miracle to be alive.
