Make Up Is Not Just Beauty - It’s Empowerment

I still remember the first time I held a makeup brush. A young, South Asian girl, just fascinated with the way make up could completely transform your look. I would watch my mother get made up, and she seemed like the most powerful woman in the world.

It was only years later, after becoming a professional makeup artist, launching my own brand, and building a platform where I could share my journey with the world, I finally understood that power. Makeup was never just about beauty. It was about identity, confidence, and self-expression. It was about reclaiming our narratives in a world that so often tries to tell us who we should be.

The Art of Transformation

People often say makeup transforms you. Usually, of course, they are referring to your look. Your eyes look bigger, your skin glows, your lips become fuller. But for me, the transformation runs much deeper than what you see on the surface. It’s a shift in energy.

As an artist and founder of Cinderella Bridez, I’ve seen women sit in my chair carrying the weight of the world. Especially for my brides. You can sometimes feel the fatigue, anxiety, nervousness and all of the other overwhelming emotions they are going through before their big moment. But once the makeup is on, and their confidence high, they walk out transformed from the inside out. Like they are stepping out of the chair and into their power. The makeup didn’t magically fix their problems, but it gave them a sense of control, a small but powerful reminder that they have agency. This is their moment, and they are ready to show up for it.

When I choose a lip color, I’m inviting a conversation about who that person wants to be that day. Maybe she will choose a smokey eye and a red lip to embody that bold energy. Maybe she’s going pink and youthful. Maybe she’s most confident with a natural look, to enhance the features passed down from generation to generation. Whatever the decision, it’s intentional. It tells a story about the person behind the brush. Makeup, when done right, and with intention, isn’t a mask, it’s a mirror. It shows you the version of yourself you choose to show up as to make your way in the world.

The Misconception: “Makeup Is Superficial”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people refer to makeup as being vain, or shallow. Or make back handed comments about how “natural beauty doesn’t need make up.”

I (kind of) understand where that comes from. There’s a long history of beauty being used as a tool of conformity, especially for women. But those statements ignore the complexity of what makeup means to people.

When I started my business, I wanted to challenge the idea that makeup was about perfection and embody the idea that it was about empowerment. I showcase real people; artists, teachers, nurses, mothers, people of all ages and most importantly, all ethnicities, wearing makeup in ways that made them feel their most beautiful and their most powerful.

Beauty comes in all different forms, and as a makeup artist, I feel my most powerful creating looks that instill confidence in my brides.

The Business of Empowerment

When I launched my company, I promised myself I would never lose sight of my why. It’s not about making a profit, it’s about instilling confidence in those who seek me out.

Running a business in the beauty industry means constantly walking a fine line.

There’s pressure to follow trends, to create “viral” looks, to promote the idea that your worth is tied to the way you look. Often, I’ve had to take a step back and ask myself the hard questions: How do we create a brand identity that empowers, not manipulates? How do we encourage self-love while acknowledging that makeup is part of a multi-billion-dollar industry that sometimes profits off insecurity? The answer, for me, lies in authenticity.

My mission is built on transparency and representation. With Cinderella Bridez, we show real skin textures, real people and celebrate a diverse community. We invest in inclusive shade ranges not because it’s trendy, but because it’s necessary. Beauty belongs to everyone, and empowerment only exists when everyone feels not only seen but stunning.

Being a woman in business, especially one in beauty, comes with its own challenges. I’ve been underestimated in boardrooms, talked over in meetings, and been made to feel like beauty brands don’t have a purpose beyond what’s “pretty.”

But every time I hear that kind of feedback, I think about the community we’ve built—the comments from young brides who say they feel the most beautiful they ever have on their wedding days, the South Asian women who finally feel they can embrace their gorgeous dark complexions, the comments on social media thanking us for hacks they never knew they needed.

That’s why I do this. That’s why I keep showing up. Empowering other women – empowers me.

The Mirror as a Canvas

Makeup is an art form. Every brushstroke tells a story, and every color has an emotion behind it. The choices really are calculated, more than you might think.

Some mornings, I go for a minimalist look. A dab of concealer, a hint of blush, maybe a tinted lip balm. It’s my “I’m focused and ready” face. Other days, I’ll wear bright eyeshadow or a bold lip that announces to the world, “I’m here, and I’m not afraid to take up space.”

That’s where the real beauty of it exists. Makeup adapts with your mood, your environment, your stage in life. It’s like painting, but the canvas is alive. It breathes, smiles, and expresses emotion. And unlike traditional art, makeup isn’t meant to last. It’s temporary, fluid, and deeply personal.

That impermanence makes it even more powerful because it reminds us that change is okay. You can reinvent yourself daily. And when you wash it off at the end of the day – you’re still that same powerful woman you were before it came off. When people look in the mirror after I’m done doing their makeup, I don’t want them to say, “Wow, that’s great makeup.” I want them to say, “Wow, that’s me.”

Empowerment Through Education

I’ve always believed in the power of sharing knowledge. It’s the reason why I create and share content on social media. The influencing life is not for me, but I love being able to share what I’ve learned over the years with others.

Tutorials aren’t just about teaching techniques; they’re about building confidence.

When someone learns how to blend their foundation properly or create their perfect winged liner, it’s more than just a skill, it’s a small victory. And small victories add up. These looks could be inspiring people who go on to make real change in the industry – or even just make a difference in the way someone feels about themselves. Even impacting one person is empowering to me.

That’s why I use my platform to talk about more than just products. I talk about self-worth, entrepreneurship, creativity, and even failure. I’ve learned empowerment doesn’t come from perfection—it comes from persistence.

When followers comment or message me thanking me for advice I’ve given or hacks they’ve learned from watching me share what I know, I’m reminded that my work does matter and that I can make a difference in people’s lives, and what is more empowering than that?

The Future of Beauty

We’re living in an era where the definition of beauty is expanding. Social media has its challenges, but it’s also democratized the beauty world. You no longer need to fit into a narrow standard to be seen – or at least it’s shifting that way.

The next generation isn’t afraid to mix glitter with bare skin, to wear foundation one day and none the next. They’re redefining what society has always deemed to be beautiful and I’m honored to be part of that evolution. Beauty doesn’t fit into one box. We are complex beings and that deserves to be reflected in the way we showcase our true beauty.

As someone trying to be a leader in this industry, I see the future of beauty as transparent, inclusive, and sustainable. As a makeup artist, I see it as creative and boundless. As a woman, I see it as liberation. As a human being and person of color, I see it as a reminder that we all deserve to feel powerful in our own skin - whatever that looks like.

Closing Thoughts: The Power of the Brush

If I were to host a masterclass on all things beauty, I’d end with a simple message: “Makeup doesn’t change who you are. It reminds you of who you’ve always been.”

Make up doesn’t have to be about hiding flaws, it's more about highlighting your strengths. It’s not about fitting in; it’s about standing out. It’s not about meeting someone else’s standard; it’s about setting your own.

Makeup is more than beauty. It’s empowerment.

It’s the power you feel from your mother as she takes that last look in the mirror. It’s the boldness of a red lip before a first date, because we won’t dim our colors for anyone. It’s the anticipation of a woman taking her first steps into her new chapter as a married woman. It’s the joy of an artist experimenting with color late into the night – discovering that actually, blue IS their color.

It’s a language that speaks without words, a ritual that connects generations, and an art form that celebrates individuality. So the next time you pick up a brush, remember: you’re not just applying makeup—you’re creating a version of yourself that the world gets to see. Now that is power – and it’s beautiful. Follow me on Instagram and Tiktok to see those beauty hacks I mentioned, and to see how makeup continues to empower me in all of the seasons of my life. Tell me, how does make up empower you?