By Alessandra Coneo, written for Magazine Production class COMM 4230 at NSU
In the quiet glow of my room in Cartagena, Colombia, I swiped my finger across the screen of my phone, immersed in the an endless TikTok frenzy. The notifications kept coming, one after another and my mind churned with questions: What is going on? Did they hack me? It was a tsunami of likes and comments flooding my latest video.
”OMG, that makeup transformation!”
“Is this even the same person?!”
“I can’t believe my eyes, you’re a magician!”
With each heartbeat, the numbers continued to increase: ten thousand, twenty thousand, thirty thousand likes. How did I get here?
It all started with my 15-year-old self, my curiosity and my mother’s dressing table. Fingers trembling slightly, I picked up a small tube of red lipstick. The softness of its texture glided beneath my touch, and a spark of intrigue was ignited my imagination. At that moment, as I held the lipstick in my hand, I could not help but wonder about the transformative power it held. What stories could it tell? What emotions could it evoke? With each twist of the tube, I felt a surge of excitement coursing through me, eager to explore the world of makeup and its endless possibilities.
Without a second thought, I carefully applied the rich red pigment to my lips, observing how it altered my reflection in the mirror. The transformation was immediate and profound. As the vibrant color infused my lips, a surge of confidence and empowerment washed over me. It was as if each brushstroke was imbuing me with a newfound sense of beauty and strength. The subtle yet striking change in my appearance made me feel mature and in control. Suddenly, I saw myself in a different light – more poised, more capable, and ready to take on the world.
But it would take three long years before I mustered the courage to reveal my passion for makeup to the world. Those years were not merely a passage of time, but a journey filled with trials and triumphs, tears and laughter. Each day was a battle against self-doubt and insecurity as I navigated the complexities of mastering makeup techniques. There were countless moments of frustration and disappointment where I found myself questioning whether I had what it took to truly excel in this art form. I poured my heart and soul into countless makeup tutorials, only to face setbacks and failures that left me feeling defeated.
Through it all, I was blessed to have the unwavering support of my family, who stood by me through every triumph and tribulation. Their unwavering belief in my abilities gave me the courage to continue pursuing my dreams, even when the odds seemed insurmountable. Their love and support became my guiding light, inspiring me to push past my fears and insecurities and embrace the full extent of my potential.
Every effort has its reward. I clearly remember my first viral video: a bold makeup art creation that superimposed another face on top of mine. It’s difficult to understand by just reading a description, but seeing it in the video is just as confusing. Using my features to draw another face on the opposite side brought reactions from individuals of all ages and different corners of the world, flooding the comments section with their thoughts. A mixture of awe and appreciation washed over me as I ran towards my mother, tears of joy streaming down my cheeks. “Daughter,” she said, beaming with pride. “You will exceed even your wildest expectations.” At that moment, I could not understand the deep truth behind her words.
As my audience expanded, I became increasingly aware of the weight of responsibility that accompanied having a voice on a platform that reaches millions. I came to understand that merely teaching cosmetic techniques was not enough. My art held a deeper significance: to amplify the voices of the marginalized and address their struggles and aspirations. This realization led me to transform my videos into more than just beauty tutorials.
The time to speak out arrived in January 2021 when Colombia became embroiled in a social war that shook the nation to its core. Economic inequality and police violence turned the streets into battlegrounds, sparking widespread protests and calls for change. Deeply impacted by the magnitude of the crisis, I felt a profound responsibility to my community and country. Using my art as a medium, I sought to honor the struggles unfolding in the streets of Colombia. I used makeup to portray the despair of our people with tears on my face resembling the colors of our flag. The creation of this makeup was a whirlwind of emotions, a mix between the deep sadness I felt about the situation in the country and the joy of being able to have a voice through my art. Watching the photo of the final look spread across social media was a shocking moment. Realizing that my art could resonate with thousands of people and spark meaningful conversations filled me with a sense of empowerment like I had never experienced before.
This was further reinforced when I created a video to commemorate Women’s Day, symbolizing the enduring fight for gender equality. The response was overwhelming. Thousands of women identified with the message. It quickly became my most viewed video, garnering over 500K likes and sparking discussions about the importance of gender equality and women’s rights. Knowing that my platform could be used to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and advocate for social change was a humbling but empowering experience. It inspired me to continue using my art as an advocacy tool, striving to create content that not only celebrates beauty but also champions inclusion, diversity, and equality.
As I gaze into the future, I do so with profound gratitude for the journey that has led me to this point. Makeup has not only provided me with a platform to express my art and voice, but it has also deepened my connection with myself and the world around me. Having earned the trust of hundreds of individuals to do their makeup, and witnessing the joy and satisfaction my work brings, fills me with immense happiness. Similarly, receiving messages from viewers who find inspiration and connection in my videos is incredibly rewarding. Knowing that my art resonates with others and brings them joy and confidence makes every moment of the journey worthwhile. While the road ahead may be uncertain, I take comfort in the fact that I can always rely on my color palette and brushes to guide me toward authenticity and wholeness. With the radiant glow of red lipstick illuminating my path, I move forward with confidence, understanding that true power lies not in the products we apply to our skin, but in the strength of our convictions and the beauty of our soul.