No mentor, No Problem

Because not having someone to teach you never meant you couldn't learn.

There’s a special kind of beauty in the girls who had to figure it all out on their own. The ones who didn’t have a mother to pass down her makeup routine — or had one who gave up that part of herself to pour everything into motherhood. The ones who stood in front of the mirror, brush in hand, not knowing where to start, but choosing to start anyway.

This post is for you.

For me, YouTube was my best friend. I grew up watching creators like Bethany Mota, Adelaine Morin, Meredith Foster, and KrazyRayRay — girls who invited us into their bedrooms and bathrooms, walked us through their morning routines, and shared the joy of discovery. I didn’t have access to the high-end products they used, but their videos lit a spark in me. As a low-income child, I knew I couldn’t afford the trending palettes or foundations, but that never stopped me from dreaming. I knew that one day, I’d earn the means to buy them myself — and that one day has finally arrived.

Still, I started small. Lip products were my way in — little treasures I could sometimes convince my mom to buy when we went to the store. Lip glosses, balms, colored chapsticks — I was obsessed. And I still am. My makeup journey began with lippies, and to this day, I’m always searching for the perfect gloss, the best hydrating balm, or that one lip oil that feels just right.

I’ve been through all the phases — cakey foundation, mismatched concealer, over-blushed cheeks, and eyebrows that lived a little too boldly. But I kept going. I kept watching, practicing, failing, and trying again. I wasn’t always confident enough to wear makeup in public. But little by little, I got there.

And if you're on that journey, you will too.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that mastery only comes through repetition. You can't improve at something you're not consistently working on. My tip? Set aside time — even once a week — to experiment with what you have. Try something new. Watch creators who have a similar face shape, complexion, or features to you. Let them be your guide until you become your own.

You don’t need anyone’s permission to feel beautiful. You don’t need a teacher to become skilled. You just need courage, curiosity, and a little bit of patience with yourself.

So here’s to the girls who had no roadmap — but made one anyway.

Throwback to 2014 when collages were In: wide-eyed, lip gloss obsessed, and deep in my YouTube girl era.