The world is FINALLY starting to recognize that beauty really does come in various forms. It's because of it women like Lauren Elyse, who have the courage to embrace and show off what makes them unique. The 25-year-old makeup artist from Chicago has a skin condition called vitiligo, where the skin loses melanin, resulting in patches of colorless skin. Not only has she learned to love her appearance, but she's killing it with the makeup skills. Check out her story and her amazing work!
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Image via laur_elyse/Instagram
On growing up with vitiligo.
The Chicago-based makeup artist started to develop vitiligo when she was around 5 or 6-years-old. “It made me feel like an outsider,” she tells MamasLatinas.com. “Even though I had a good amount of friends who cared about me regardless of my vitiligo, I couldn’t help but compare myself to them and think that I’d never be able to wear shorts or a bathing suit and actually be considered “normal.”
On what inspired her to become a makeup artist.
“I started using makeup in middle school as a way for me to physically express myself and it just progressed as I got older,” says Lauren. “My friends in high school always asked me to do their hair and makeup and I enjoyed doing it , so I figured I’d make a career out of it.” One of her bosses at a hair salon she used to work at also encouraged her to become a makeup artist. She has used Instagram as a platform to showcase her work for the past four years.
Heartbreak really inspired her.
“My breaking point came when I was coping with a breakup,” she shares. “I was in a long-term relationship with someone who loved and believed in me more than I did myself. I hated myself before I was with him and basically relied on him to give me confidence for the entire time we were together. Once it was over, I forced myself to see all the good things about myself that he saw but I didn’t. It took some time to be able to tell myself that I am beautiful inside and out, but I slowly and eventually started to love myself more.”
On how her story will inspire little girls.
“Children need to see that it’s ok to look and be different,” says Lauren. “There’s not one specific way to look or believe. I also think it’s important for them to know that whatever makes you different or makes you feel insecure shouldn’t hold you back from doing something you’re passionate about.”
On how vitiligo empowers her.
“Embracing the fact that I have vitiligo has empowered me in a couple of ways: It’s helped me feel more confident about myself, it’s helped me see various things that aren’t traditionally viewed as attractive to be beautiful, and it’s changed my perception of what beauty is,” she says. Lauren has also used this as a way to inspire and empower others with vitiligo and other skin conditions. “I never imagined I would be able to do that and I feel so honored to help other people feel better about themselves.”
On how she defines beauty today.
“Beauty isn’t pinpointed to a specific standard,” Lauren says. “Not everyone has the same definition of what is or isn’t beautiful. What we’re constantly taught to believe is beautiful isn’t the only type of beauty out there. For me, beauty comes from someone being open and confident as well as just being an overall, decent human being. It’s an old cliché but beauty really does come from within.”
On who inspires her.
“I’m really inspired by strong female personalities who aren’t afraid of going against the societal norm and women who embody intelligence as well as beauty,” says Lauren. “I love Grace Jones, Amber Rose, The Spice Girls and Lady Gaga. They all do their own thing, regardless of what anyone else says and they use their art to express themselves and stand for what they truly believe in.”
The advice she has for the youth.
“I want other girls and boys to know that confidence can only come from them believing in and loving themselves–and that doesn’t happen overnight,” she says. “Don’t compare yourself to other people and focus on what makes you different and unique. Take your time with embracing something you might consider a “flaw” and step out of your comfort zone every once in a while and flaunt it.”
