Making Up My Happy Face
Losing her sight couldn’t stop Lucy becoming a beauty blog star...
Leaning towards the mirror, I quickly applied a layer of dark eyeshadow to create a smoky look. ‘Ta-da!’ I exclaimed, stepping back. ‘Wow, very dramatic,’ grinned my sister, Alice, then 14. ‘You make it look so easy!’
We loved fashion and beauty, and enjoyed watching make-up tutorials online by vloggers like Zoella and Fleur de Force.
Although I could apply make-up pretty well, I was actually blind in my right eye.
I’d lost my sight when I was 11 due to a rare genetic condition called incontinentia pigmenti, which I inherited from my mum’s side of the family.
Sadly, over the next few years, my other eye got worse. When I was 17, the vision in my left eye went completely, and I was plunged into darkness.
‘You can still do everything you did before,’ my boyfriend, Oli, 19, encouraged me. ‘It might just take a little longer.’
I couldn’t stay in bed crying about it forever, so I began learning Braille. In February 2013, I got my guide dog, Olga.
Soon, I was back studying for my A-levels with the help of a teaching assistant. But things like doing my make-up were impossible, so I relied on Alice.
‘Are you sure I look OK?’ I asked, after she patiently applied a full face for me one morning.
‘You look great, I wouldn’t let you out looking a mess!’ she said.
‘But maybe you could apply your foundation next time..?’
‘It’ll go everywhere,’ I laughed. ‘But I’ ll give it a shot.’
To make it easier, I asked my mum, Helen, 48, for some drawer dividers, so I could put products in different sections and memorise where they were.
At first, it was very frustrating trying to do my make-up.
‘You’ve used too much blusher,’ Alice said. ‘I’ll blend it in.’
But I realised that doing my own make-up would give me a sense of independence. So I kept trying… Soon, I could apply foundation and do contouring. Through trial and error, I added mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow.
Initially, I kept stabbing myself in the eye with the mascara wand! And I struggled even more when it came to using my eyebrow pencil.
‘Your brow looks a bit sad today,’ Alice giggled.
‘Oh no!’ I laughed, seeing the funny side.
Practice makes perfect, I reminded myself…
Soon, I felt confident enough to do my whole face by myself.
When I showed my efforts to Oli, he was impressed.
‘Why don’t you start your own
My first video has now had almost 400,000 views
vlog?’ he suggested. ‘I could help with the filming…’
I thought a vlog (video blog) might be a good way to show others that you can still look and feel glam with limited vision.
In February 2014, Alice and Oli helped me set up my Youtube channel, Yesterdayswishes.
Oli, who was studying graphic design, hit record.
‘If I’m having a spotty day, I feel for blemishes before adding concealer,’ I said to the camera. ‘Pat it on using your ring finger and it’ll lift you up like there’s no tomorrow!’
We paused so Alice could hand me the next product.
‘As you’re applying eyebrow pencil, you need to feel for the hairs,’ I continued.
‘If you get this right, it’ll frame your face… just build up the products slowly.’
Soon, we were making at least one tutorial a week.
Positive comments flooded in from people who thought I was inspirational.
‘I find lip glosses are better to fling on,’ I said in one tutorial. ‘With lipstick, especially bright colours, I need someone to help me outline my lips.’
Alice and I continued shopping for new products.
With each one, she’d teach me to apply it, then I’d practise more on my own.
I have such a loyal following – a staggering 18,000 subscribers – I’ve become a bit of an Internet sensation!
My first video has now had almost 400,000 views, and Alice and I have even appeared on Good Morning Britain!
Some of my subscribers are blind and partially sighted, while others just enjoy discovering my make-up tips.
I might be blind, but thanks to make-up, I can still create a happy face that I want to show off to the world.
To check out Lucy’s blog, visit: https://wishesforyesterday. wordpress.com