I’ve always been what some might call “beauty challenged.” Growing up, my mom never cared about looking put-together—she chose comfort over trends every single time, and makeup was seen as an unnecessary indulgence. In our household, beauty wasn’t on the agenda; it was almost like a forbidden fruit.

Even though I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup until I turned 16, my rebellious seventh-grade self couldn’t resist sneaking a bit of white eyeliner from my older sister. That little act of defiance was my first taste of a world bursting with color and creativity. I spent many years doing terrible eyeliner—awkward, uneven lines that missed the mark—before I finally learned to embrace a more natural approach.

Our family wasn’t rolling in money. My mom, my sister, and I would move out of my grandparents’ home only to move back in later when things became too expensive for my mom to keep up on her own. In that modest, low-income life, makeup, hair products, and fashion were seen as luxuries we simply couldn’t afford—or didn’t need. Trying to find style on a budget over the years has often felt both depressing and defeating, adding another layer of challenge to my personal journey.

High school brought its own adventures. While other girls were getting pampered at salons, I was in the bathroom with my friends, turning our hair into canvases for wild dye experiments. I still remember the smell of drugstore bleach and the thrill of hoping our hair wouldn’t turn orange. Those moments were messy, a little chaotic, and entirely unconventional—but they were also a declaration of our creative spirit.

Even now, at 35, I’ve still never had a pedicure or a manicure that wasn’t from a beauty school. But I’m finally exploring what beauty means on my own terms. Recently, my journey has taken a new turn as I discovered a skin regimen to help with my acne. I’ve learned that buying things that make me feel better about myself isn’t just an indulgence—it can actually help ease my anxiety. I love my mom dearly and respect her down-to-earth approach, but I’ve come to understand that I don’t need to adopt the mentality that makeup and fashion are pointless.

I’m learning about makeup, discovering hair essentials, and figuring out how to put together an outfit that’s more than just a t-shirt and jeans. It isn’t about impressing others—it’s about expressing who I truly am.

This blog is my honest, sometimes messy journey into a world I never really knew existed—a world where every swipe of eyeliner (even the bad ones), every budget-friendly fashion experiment, and every step toward better skin has led me closer to a style that feels authentically me.

Welcome to my journey of redefining beauty, one natural, imperfect step at a time.