In my chair -- a makeup artists perspective on beauty: Eva DeVirgilis at TEDxRVAWomen

[@kuoool]

"Is this what it's going to take for me to appreciate what I have? To be confronted with the prospect of illness or death?!" Hits hard.

[@amlaaaa479]

I know, I cried

[@BiGsImY]

You’re a beautiful woman

[@QueeniiRozenblad]

I will never apologize for looking "tired" again on my channel I love me as I am and make up just brightens up my day!

[@stephencobb2735]

Your beautiful

[@CarolinaDePasquale]

I'm a film student (well, almost graduate), and film and photography thought me a lot about the world (from both the visual and audio point of view). But the greatest lesson I've learned when I started concentrating on photography, both still and movie: a pretty face is boring on camera. The imperfections, the wrinkles (oh my god do I love photographing people with wrinkles), faces with irregular features, slightly too large noses... It's what makes a person beautiful, on camera. Thank you to people like Eva, and to my film teachers I suppose, for changing my view on beauty.

[@paranoos2474]

Thank you - I cannot agree more. Imperfections make your face even more beautiful.

[@The21stCenturyTeacher]

Wow!

[@parijatpathak1849]

Yes, the problem with perfect faces is that they don't even look remotely human. Being human, being imperfect is the best thing that happened to us. Imperfections are what helped in coining the term perfection.

[@gregdahlen4375]

why would imperfections be beautiful on camera?

[@Ms.Biener]

@@gregdahlen4375 because its interesting, unique and attracts the eye

[@solrheat]

Our overly sexualized culture which worships only a narrow set of stereotypical physical beauty needs more speakers like her. She has a beautiful soul and powerful presence.

[@MISSYEYALOVESU]

Gave me chills when she talked about what is it going to take for me to appreciate my beauty.

[@rachelm8731]

Oh me too! It's sad, it's true. :(

[@NickaLah]

+MissPandaYeya My boyfriend gets so angry if I say I'm not pretty... and I'm not sure what it will take to think otherwise, he'll say all his co-workers think i'm hot and it's like a band-aid for what I usually think about myself. Any positive feelings about myself never seem to last long, probably because I then think,"Yeah, but they haven't seen me without makeup. They don't know what I really look like." I wish I could leave the house without makeup on and not feel totally disgusting... even though my bf prefers me that way, which makes me think he's crazy lol.

[@tekobari]

+MissPandaYeya This talk was terrific. I'd love it if someone like her, with her performance skills, insight, etc., would be called into high schools for assemblies. It's interesting, however, that she had such a positive attitude about her mother, and didn't consider that most little girls are told about their physical limitations first by their mothers (and fathers) and grandmothers, women who've internalized themselves the messages of their growing up. If she had more than 10 minutes, I wonder how much more she could say, since she was very powerful in minutes. It's interesting about the mortality issue. My sister was precisely like that young mother with breast cancer. That's very uncommon, since the disease is generally far more likely with age. Prior to that, she was constantly picking her body and face apart, even getting cosmetic surgery on her nose because her husband felt it was too "ethnic." Every once in a while, she told me she was trying to work up the courage to have another rhinoplasty to make her nose even narrower, but the excruciating pain and severe bruising of the first surgery held her back. Let me add here that she was the "pretty daughter," captain of her cheerleader squad in high school; homecoming queen, and a sought-after guitarist/singer/songwriter in college. Men flocked to her, but even back then, fashion magazines and the entertainment industry sold tall blondes with clear blue eyes. Unfortunately, she was a tiny brunette with huge green eyes. But fortunately, she was thin, so at least she didn't suffer being "fat" on top of all that. (You know - the proper weight is 112 lbs. if you're 5'10" tall.) After going through her cancer treatments - which, she was told, would only extend her life, not save it - that all stopped. In fact, she would dress up nicely and wear full makeup for her chemo treatments not because she felt unattractive without the frou-frou, but because she wanted to send the message to women of any age who were going through the same ordeal to stop being so afraid of the scar or loss of a breast making themselves think they were mutilated. Instead, go through this disease as just another experience in the lives of many women. She wanted them to see that you can at least look much better than you feel - less exhausted; less nauseous; less sad/scared/angry, and in less pain - than you actually are. The doctors were wrong, BTW. Her 5% - 10% chance of living five years turned out to be 30 years of 100% living fully, so far. She still wears makeup, but feels she looks damn good with or without it. She embraces each new line on her face as an earned badge of honor, and sees that mastectomy scar as a reminder that she's survived - in fact, thrived - over the past three decades. She never wants to forget that life is short, live in the now, and experience every minute of it, good or bad. Eva is right. We can't wait until we're near death to feel this way. It's worth looking within and using our insight to figure out why each of us does this to ourselves, and change it.

[@thetravelinghermit]

+Nickolah Lyn Hey! Your BF needs to learn a few of the same lessons I did. So stop reading and go get him. THIS IS FOR HIS EYES ONLY! I'll let him know when you can read yours! 8^D 1. Women believe they're as beautiful as they FEEL. No evidence to the contrary is powerful enough. Even famous runway models berate themselves for being unlovely. She's not telling you how she looks, she's telling you how she FEELS that she looks. 2. The fix: Give her opportunities to FEEL beautiful! For example: point out every time you catch another guy scoping out your GF. In my experience, (excepting some tragic event), women are usually unaware of how often they're being appreciated. It actually seems like ladies believe the guy is thinking what they themselves feel. What I mean is when my wife says she feels "like a bloated cow", she rarely notices when guys check her out. When she DOES notice, she thinks they're seeing how horrible she feels. 3. Support her choice to do something amazing. There is nothing that will leave your man-jaw on the floor like a woman that is on fire...let me tell you! Ok, send her back in! You're suitor sees someone amazing. And if you're NOT being amazing, then he's all the better for it: some small part of you is shining, and he's already seeing a bonfire! Do NOT take it for granted, and for God's sake never choose a man based on how he makes you feel! You are responsible now for the way you feel. No one should have the power to MAKE you feel anything. I don't know what we did to tear our girls up and make our boys into monsters, but your self-esteem is yours now. You don't have time to feel self-pity, your life is leaking by! Go grab it, fan the flames, and burst into fire! When you're too awesome to be concerned if your makeup is perfect, you'll have made it. Also, read my comment above, since you remind me of a girl I knew years ago. Maybe it'll help you see your BF isn't crazy.

[@sacredthyme4617]

+Nickolah Lyn i went without makeup out into the world, i was shocked how many said i looked great 'natural' try it = many that know you at work may say the same. i wore different jewelry each day that week. all different looks. it was fun. and i did look good without makeup, i still were it; but only a few ite,s of makeup = try it!

[@SomethingWitty0]

I love how when the mic cuts out she projects her voice like a true thespian. I can't tell if it was on purpose or not. I'm guessing not. She didn't miss a beat!

[@dominique4432]

For some reason she reminds me of Meg from Hercules, she's very pretty and eye-opening. I liked this, and I'm grateful to how she's affected other ppl via the video and comments.

[@anagomca]

That's exactly what I thought!!!!

[@harmonyv1736]

Dominique Sweeney She Does 😃😃

[@amonyejiaka]

She has a similar voice and look as Meg. Besides that, I almost got emotion because of this video. It was so beautiful but with a harsh reality most people face. And she never made herself better than, she was real and shared that she experiences the same issue she's pointing out and.... that was real.

[@EscapingMordor]

I also got Meg from Hercules vibes from her

[@signebl906]

I thought the same :o

[@lizcorbett2587]

her impressions are spot on

[@gailvalley5309]

Liz Corbs so true!!!

[@stephanies318]

As a woman who has severe self image issues and needs a full face of makeup to even step outside to get the mail, this absolutely brought me to tears. Thank you so much for this.

[@noura-alnawwarah]

+Stephanie's Attempt At Life .. I realized lately, that most pretty girls feel ugly for the slightest thing. And most girls whom feel pretty, even though they don't have the "decided Pretty" features, they still look as pretty as they feel. The glow in their eyes, the confidence, the lack of interest in their random exterior flaws makes them powerfully attractive and somewhat strangely beautiful, and so joyful to look at their smile. Every pretty girl, compares herself to one that is prettier. That's how she ends up feeling less.It's quite shallow to be honest. She judges that girl as superior for her looks, which means she feels superior for hers to others whom she isn't threatened by. Silly really. I stopped, a looong time ago, trying to be more fair, change my hair to the norm, and dress sexy.Being called sexy, is no longer a compliment for me, but an indicator to other person's interests and views. I now, seek to have a healthy skin, a pretty natural hair, and only fix the problems, and be the best version of myself, rather than compete with anyone else. I don't fully love all my features, but they are all part of me, not all of me, and I don't hate or hide them anymore. Funny thing, I actually see myself prettier then some of my friends see me, and was surprised that I was deemed pretty to my other friends. Prettier than those I saw better than me in looks. So I just chuckled and realized, we live in our own minds. The reality is different from one eye to another. We will never be seen for who we really are, even with our own eyes. So you are what you choose to see. As simple as that.

[@moubhattacharyya1141]

+Noura Al-Hazzani grt lady.....live a happy life

[@majafon2389]

Don't ruin your makeup haha

[@dianer558]

Don't ruin your face, Stephanie, with all that makeup. It's ruining your beauty 🌹

[@GypsyGirl317]

@@dianer558 I agree 👍

[@thetravelinghermit]

So, I once dated a girl that wore makeup all the time. I went by her house uninvited, one fateful day, and she answered the door without makeup. For the first time I got to see what she actually looked like, not just the shape of her face. Being young and dumb, I just stared, wide-eyed...she freaked out...we broke up. It was both our losses. She was an amazing young lady, smart, strong, AND really good-looking (without makeup). It was just the shock of the difference that got me, but it was too late. She was so fearful of how she looked that she took my shock as horror and total confirmation of all she feared. She would never accept that I thought she really WAS good-looking and I was just a fool caught off-guard. I never saw her again, and even though I'm happily married 17 years in, it still just kills me to know she's out there, and that was the last time we saw each other. I imagine her out there, so confident that her looks aren't even an issue to her...that she's living her life so passionately she doesn't even have time to notice whether she's got a compact in her purse.

[@sacredthyme4617]

+thetravelinghermit i wish you could have told her. i wish she knew too.

[@violethatchell3796]

+thetravelinghermit That's a shame. I second Sacred Rhyme...just a damn shame.

[@DrWhom]

Ha ha!

[@liara4428]

:(

[@AJ123456123456]

Maybe you should try contacting her, checking up if she truly is doing fine. It's been a long time, but you never know. Definitely try and see how she's doing.

[@798makeuppro]

This brought tears to my eyes. It is EXACTLY what I've experienced in the past 25 years as a make up artist.

[@Evajjane]

As a makeup artist we are confronted with many things, but to see how a client feels without make up is disheartening. I have seen many tears and heard many sad stories about not measuring up.

[@paranoos2474]

Wow!

[@tinac.9189]

This made me tear up bigtime, too....sniffles and all.

[@marablooms1788]

exatly! same here. i love you ladies!

[@indroyoyoi]

I wish she's a professional lecturer instead of a professional make up artist. she's just great and I don't mind hearing her lectures every day.

[@MsMacy123]

she can do both. she doesnt have to pick one.

[@evadevirgilis2311]

Hello Indri P! Thank you for your sweet comment. I do give lectures all around the world! Visit my website if you are interested evadevirgilis.com

[@LincolnakaOnion]

You're awesome, Eva!

[@TamaraVlogs]

Wow. You are INCREDIBLE. I actually cried during your portrayal of the old woman and the woman getting over cancer. I'm not kidding. Tears ran down my face. You are an incredible actress, to be able to evoke so much emotion in such a brief period of time. I too am a passionate actress. And I see a lot of myself in you, in your gestures and the way you carry yourself. I wish nothing but success for you! If casting directors know anything about anything they'll choose you. THANK YOU AGAIN.

[@djskslsksmdmsm]

I did to😢great speech

[@paranoos2474]

I cannot agree more!

[@amlaaaa479]

me too

[@susanzoeckler4926]

Oh yes & yes! And the best of luck to you

[@jifeak]

A standing ovation from my living room...Wow! What a speech.

[@QueeniiRozenblad]

this is one of the best video's on yt for us ladies!

[@celestewilliams6787]

AGREEEEEED

[@lsmrkqj]

That was one colourful and empowering speech

[@blackthorn2200]

+Green Morning trump 2016

[@MizajALMikyaj]

I have the same chair! Ugh she hits the nail on the head! It's so hard to try to tell someone how beautiful they are when they've insulted themselves their entire life

[@6u..]

what marvelous, beautiful, honest, fiery, inspirational 10 minutes of my life, thank you Eva!! your passionate speech squeezed a few tears :) you genuinely care and put all your resources into making people feel good about themselves - you can't put a price stamp on that

[@sophiagoetz1862]

She reminds me of Sandra Bullock XD She's awesome 😄 Love this talk!

[@brianbanks3492]

Amazing perception. Amazing delivery. Truth in her voice.

[@beatrizgill]

Simply the best speech on self acceptance I have ever heard and will share this with my students.

[@Neelamkaur]

beautifully said! Standards that are like "...porn, fashion and photoshop all in one" - couldn't sum it up more perfectly.

[@dianachapman9331]

Eva, I think you are a FANTASTIC speaker and I so appreciate your message and and the gift you give to so many women though your work. Gentle tears keep flowing down my cheeks in gratitude for your impact in the world.

[@giftedgirls9176]

This speech was amazing and touched my heart like never before. Just thinking about how many women struggle with their flaws effects me so much. Eva gave me so much hope in teaching young girls that it's more to life than your outer beauty. Death shouldn't be the key to opening you eyes. I LOVE this speech and will forever hold it tight in my heart. xoxo

[@bdyog_2464]

I'm kind of a makeup artist myself and the best reaction i can get from a client is tears. Literal tears when you need paper towels to save the makeup. Because they're finally feeling beautiful and gorgeous and i made that happen. Those tears of happiness is the best part of the job tbh

[@Gummybearheart]

Listening to this brought me to tears too! ( many , to be exact ) when u showed the woman who said her mother-in-law didn't like her face , that is where I broke down. I saw how fragile and real all of this was . I could really relate c: thank you so much for this ! - an aspiring makeup artist

[@cplklinger]

This is one of my favourite TED talks, because it hits me, and helps me look at myself and smile, and reminds me to think about the best in myself

[@daniellequitewhite]

What an incredible, feeling woman you are, Eva. Truly inspirational.

[@TeacherCast]

What an amazing and inspirational woman. I'm happy to have known her back in high school. :-)

[@paranoos2474]

Lucky you!

[@johnjukes5533]

A wonderful blend of humour, honesty and openness that stokes the fire of self-appreciation. Great talk!

[@evadevirgilis2311]

John, thank you for your kindhearted comment and for sending such kindness out into the world. Your light shines bright!

[@TiffanyCHoyt]

Wow, this is the most inspiring Ted Talk I've ever seen--that confronting mortality is the only time women stop apologizing for how they look. I will remember this.

[@oumsker]

it's amazing she's taking us through her internalization so creatively.

[@MissLlah]

I was a makeup and artists and beauty advisor for so many years and like you I seriously find beauty in everyone. I just extend that to my imperfect self.

[@rhiannonk3176]

As a transgender woman, I feel envy and happiness with every cisgender woman I see. Envy because I can never have what they do naturally, but happy also because no matter what their face, hair or body look like, they radiate life and energy that make me smile. Women need to stop listening to society and just enjoy and be proud of who they are.

[@LevLykligt]

Rhiannon K she in the video is very cis. i as an enby / non-transitioned women feel very disheartened by the video and the comments. all I see/hear is womenwomen women. i feel very uncomfortable often going to makeupstores and be viewed as male esp when I don't have make-up on myself i dont think I should feel uncomfortable at a makeupstore. I often feel im looked upon like a lepar and like they wonder what I do there

[@dawnlittle2501]

Rhiannon K That's funny because I feel the opposite. I find transgendered women to be more beautiful. They seem to put in more effort and have a keener eye and display what society expects a beautiful feminine woman should look like. I wonder what's wrong with me that I was born a woman yet can't look as pretty.

[@adjjal]

@@HealingLight231 thats rude, beauty is VERY subjective, its all in the eye of the beholder is the quote.

[@SanguinaryStrife]

Best. Comment. Ever!!

[@Ti-hp8eb]

Great Job Eva!!!!!! This was refreshing, humorous and empowering. You made me think of what woman I am representing myself as, when sitting in the makeup chair.

[@lessia_bonn]

She made me cry. #truth on all fronts

[@scottwichmann]

SHE'S THE BEST, MOST INSPIRING WOMAN IN THE WORLD!!! I love you, Eva, for your courage, compassion and commitment. You are amazing.

[@evadevirgilis2311]

Thank you my loving husband!!! Fancy seeing you around these parts! I am forever grateful for your love, support and inspiration.

[@scottwichmann]

Thank you for taking care of me, feeding me, loving me and supporting me. I love you!! (ps: DINNER WAS AMAZING)

[@noonenice2518]

I love this. I love how she talks so honestly about it all and how her words reached to my heart.

[@VanessasBeautybar]

Thank you! This video was so true and never even thought about it until it was brought to my attention. NO MORE APOLOGIES! ! I AM BEAUTIFUL! !

[@magdolnanegyesinefenyvesi4256]

I love her eyes...beautiful, full of passion and understanding...

[@carvsh]

lovely comment, that shows you've a beautiful heart

[@francescagroves5235]

Well done, Eva! Your brought tears to my eyes.

[@raghavym4964]

I think all beauty gurus should watch this video :)

[@faustodelgadillo873]

xxx

[@j0kez708]

That enthusiastic approach really got me immersed in the vid.

[@augopen]

Eva- you're great! I can relate to you so well - as a custom dressmaker I hear a lot of the same apologies for various perceived flaws. But what a blessing to be able to clothe people so that they feel comfortable, sleek and put together- just like a good makeup. It's so uplifting to see the transformation happen right in front of you when your client shifts their self- perception, just for a while, as you said, but perhaps a whole lot longer. Thank you so much for a wonderful 11 minutes

[@Verbsdescribeus]

makeup is art :) than you for promoting it!!!

[@augopen]

Thanks so much for a grea t11 minutes. I relate to you very much as a custom dressmaker whose clients make similar excuses for their bodies. It's wonderful to see their perceptions shift when they're standing there in a beautiful garment that fits them well, making them feel comfortable, confident and more beautiful -very gratifying indeed

[@TokyoMattoKun]

I love this. She is absolutely fantastic!

[@SandraAlaska]

Love your fire and your passion about NOT ACCEPTING porn+photoshop+fashion as my beauty role model. I choose you, instead, Eva!

[@deborahgoeser5696]

This was such a powerful speech. I needed to hear what this woman had to share!

[@Lobstrique]

i love your mindset combined with your vocation. it is a perfect match, ohdog. i had this shift to believing every person is beautiful in their way a couple of years ago. and it made my life SO MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE. cause suddenly i realised i am constantly surrounded by immense beauty. the look in stranger's eyes, the soft gestures of my mom's hands. and i often have the urge to just tell them how beautiful they are. and when my friends ask if they need to lose weight, i try to make them believe they are as gorgeous as i see them. because it really feels freeing to lose all those restrictions of beauty standards. no heavy boots thank you so much for this.

[@jlsmith7917]

I must say this has been one of my favorite ted talks. "You are all beautiful" ! Such an amazing speech. Bless

[@Michellelinks100]

I remember I had to tell a man I don't need him to qualify my looks. People can be mean, so we have to accept what we have and not worry about their opinions for approval. Thank you Eva, for sharing.

[@TheEmpressTarot2222]

I'll put it on my favourites so whenever I feel bad about how I look in the mirror . I'll watch this and feel blessed all over again :) Very Inspirational xx

[@smallsignals]

God damn, she is so adorably engaging. And sooo smart.

[@Lemmaok]

She's so amazing! And she could be an actress. I LOVE THIS!

[@ADara-er1qb]

So needed this. Whoever reads this, you're beautiful! xox

[@evadevirgilis2311]

Thank you so much! I needed that too, right back at you! -Eva

[@evapearson3558]

She is so inspirational and every woman should know that u r beautiful even when you have no makeup on

[@inreynaorshine]

this was very inspirational and nearly brought tears to my eyes. it motivates me closer toward accepting myself. thank you!

[@captainhickey2608]

Just great. Thank you for taking me to Eva's chair.

[@sihr07]

This makes me think of all those times when I meet a friend and she starts by saying 'Hi! I'm so sorry for my looks today' and all I can think is 'For God's sake, she looks gorgeous'. Maybe I should have appointment's with myself now and then...Amazing talk!

[@lilianavalerio600]

Eva your amazing, as a beauty therapist I've also come across these types of customers and I always try to make them feel happy about themselves, as a skin therapist that joy is what makes my day, thank you for saying the truth xx we are all beautiful xxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[@earthcommjg]

She almost made be cry! This is so true. Thank you for your words 😊😊

[@reb.1696]

Gosh... This brought me tears... Thank you :)

[@ningthings]

I love her mode of presentation, the intertwining acts and all. I think it was very interactive and it packed a punch! Also, a lovely message to send out to everybody! :)

[@audreystraub7925]

wow! thanks, Eva!! Inspiring and beautiful words from a beautiful and inspiring woman.

[@veroduenas9027]

Made me cry! What a wake up call!

[@DazzlingBooks]

Her energy is so positive, i love it :)

[@drachenfriedhof]

As a woman who wears no make-up, I like what she said. And as a woman who likes to draw portraits, I can say: everything on your face is beautiful.

[@evadevirgilis2311]

Thank you SO MUCH for watching drachenfriedhof! I agree with you! Keep drawing your portraits and bringing BEAUTY and kindness into the world!

[@leeza38]

Authentic soul, thank you for being real.

[@Fencer1128]

This was great. Thank you for this!

[@aquariuslove5635]

I’m in tears listening to this! I’ve been needing to hear this....Wonderful Ted Talk! Thank you so much ❤️

[@dasiasamedy7262]

this talk is my favorite of all time

[@juliehodgkinson4264]

Wow what an amazing video I sat n cried nodding my head all the way through it ... strong fantastic and so damn true ..thankyou Eva xxxxx

[@cindywannamaker5299]

Awesome talk Eva. It's something we need to hear almost on the daily! Thank you!

[@scottwichmann]

You are simply the BEST.

[@elisabethpettifor3556]

I love her energy!

[@izabellav.r.5479]

Wow. This was incredible.

[@dawnlittle2501]

Besides the overall message, the best thing about this talk were her impressions. I loved each one. How refreshing to hear the words of real women, not the made up ones Hollywood often gets wrong in movies. I actually teared up listening to them. What a great actress! Last thing, after taking a drawing class I was able to appreciate and see the beauty in each and EVERY face. Yes, we are all beautiful.

[@evadevirgilis2311]

Dawn, what an absolutely kind comment! Thank you. I care so deeply for every one of those women who sat in my chair. I am glad it showed through.

[@JhasmynJ]

Tho was an amazing TED Talk. I feel like this is what I've been trying to tell women since I've been able to talk. Also, she is an absolutely amazing actress!

[@calmdev1577]

SYMMETRY COLOR & LIGHT !!!

[@d1Netta]

Amazing talk. I will be watching this one multiple times. 😊

[@caffeineabuser95]

She's really pretty herself. Must be a good makeup artist too

[@thecosplaymom]

Damnit she made me cry.... what a brilliant brilliant speech!!!!

[@MsGnor]

Very moving. Lovely talk xxx

[@sarahe.asuquo391]

I love the personality and honesty she exudes. I clicked to hear the "other side's story". Now, I'm asking myself, "why does there have to be sides, which side will I fall, why do I have to allow myself to be defined by sides". Coz the truth truth of the matter is that anti make up is a box, just like the perfection we are bullied to buy by the beauty industry is a box. I chose to "live in the moment", just like the women you described.

[@bhaalbarbie]

This is the best Ted Talk ever.

[@jhansilu]

Eva, I love you, I needed to hear your words, thank you :)

[@evadevirgilis2311]

Love you right back! I needed to hear yours too!!!!!!!!!

[@thedruidfairy]

wow, truly inspiring. brought tears to my eyes. thank you so much for having the courage to stand up and say all that

[@sandyleung7783]

I love this woman.

[@jeaniewillard1597]

Awesome lecture! I enjoyed every second of it!

[@soshanicey]

I want to hug her😔❤️

[@alexaolsen9542]

i'm a trans woman, i don't pass as female for the majority of time.. for the majority of my life i have been unsafe, at risk of attack and harrasment and personal shame, all because of my appearance. it's going to cost me £19000 to give me a footing in society, i just wish other women new how incredibly lucky and beautiful they are.

[@TiesOfAffection]

:( I wished we were at a point in our culture we wouldn't let a person express and be whoever they want to be, without feeling unsafe and at danger.

[@kiracatherine7966]

You know who you are. Don't let bullies dictate your self worth or your beauty! I've been around several trans women. The most salient thing is actually not their feminine or masculine features, but their level of confidence with themselves! Please trust a complete stranger when I say that confidence is beautiful! :)

[@itsalwayshalloweenexceptwh5118]

It's horrible that we, if we don't conform to labels, are at risk of attack and harassment the moment we step out the door. However that's the nature of our world, so believe me when I say that those 16000 pounds are well spent. I'll be spending around 10000 euro's for a similar reason, just because I am not safe outside. I'm not transgender or transsexual, I have down-syndrome markers on my face even when I don't have down-syndrome. It's just bad luck I was born with this face. I've had people throw garbage at me, shout abuse, beat me up and just generally harass me in the street. Strangers who mean well treat me like a child, people with actual down syndrome think I'm one of them and believe me when I say that if you look the way I look you are not considered part of society or even as a potential date. I'll always be outside of society, no matter what job I get, no matter which clothes I wear, no matter what kind of make-up I wear and no matter how I style my hair. They just make me look like a down syndrome person with nice clothes and hair. I have no hope of passing as a normal human being (in other peoples eyes). At least until I get my facial bones ground down and reshaped by a surgeon. I hope it will be enough because they can't reposition the eyes.

[@iLOVEpicklesBRO28]

You sound like an amazing woman :)

[@elgajoh]

Yvonne de Rooij I don't know if I can stop you from doing what you want to do.. But first think for yourself for whom are doing this, is for for yourself or for others? If its for others then this world is never going to stop finding fault with you. My prayers are with you.

[@mdshahidansari4967]

Makeup is not a mask that covers up your beauty; it’s a weapon that helps you express who you are from the inside.

[@santisanti8386]

fantastic speech! thank you!

[@SarahFunes]

As a cancer survivor this is so true!

[@srinivasahebbar6241]

I love this &She is fantastic.

[@PrernaSharma-fb6pl]

She is amazing! I absolutely loved this!

[@evadevirgilis2311]

You are amazing! THANK YOU for watching and for your kindness!

[@magma9138]

WORD. Truer than true. Thank you!

[@RachelLeynes]

my second favourite ted talk ever

[@littlered649]

As a makeup artist, this really hit me hard. Thank you for this