Her canvas is clear and she’s ready to make a new creation. Her brush hits the pressed color in the pallet and she taps the brush off to remove unnecessary pigment. She sweeps the colors against her eyelids, creating a colorful masterpiece.

Senior Madyson Fletcher is a self-proclaimed makeup artist, gaining a following through Instagram for her makeup skills. Although it is her personal account, she frequently posts makeup looks and updates the public on the products she uses for her looks.

Makeup started out as a minor hobby for Fletcher but it slowly developed into‚ a major talent. She continued practicing until she gathered enough confidence to share her looks with the world.

“It’s so funny because the first time I did my eyebrows was freshman year, they were so bad,” Fletcher said. “When I started getting good that’s when I was experimenting with different kinds of things.”

Senior Stevie Hudson, longtime friend of Fletcher, also aspires to become a makeup artist and agrees makeup is a part of their futures. Whether they pursue careers in makeup or maintain makeup as hobbies, the skill has definitely impacted their lives.

“She does other people’s makeup [and] does mine a lot,” Hudson said. “She has people [direct messaging] her asking, ‘Can you do my homecoming makeup?’”

The cosmetology course pushed Fletcher to become fully invested in makeup. She enrolled in the class during her sophomore year to further develop her skills and add more to her YouTube-based education.

“When YouTube first came out, makeup wasn’t a thing, but I when started getting older I would see makeup tutorials [and] say ‘I want to learn that,’ so I just did it,” Fletcher said. “I took to cosmetology to be considered a professional.”

Being unique and seeing inner beauty is a narrative Fletcher has continued to push. Fletcher wants to spread a message every girl can acknowledge. Although makeup can be frowned upon by peers, Fletcher wants to be the voice of reason and let girls know it’s OK to use to enhance their natural features.

“I think it’s just like the fact that you can feel confident or be someone else for a day,” Fletcher said. “Whether you do glam makeup, whether you just cover something up, it makes you feel confident.”

Senior Marlene Arce admires Fletcher’s makeup and follows her on Instagram. She is inspired by the way Fletcher’s attitude doesn’t change even when she’s not wearing a full face of makeup.

“She’s pretty much the same with or without makeup,” Arce said. “Her shades always work well together and [she] pulls off any look no matter how risky.”

Fletcher takes leisure in this form of art because she simply enjoys it. She wants her peers to understand that makeup, for her, is not to cover her imperfections but to define her outer beauty. Being more positive about what’s under the makeup is the message she hopes to send to her following.

“You’re beautiful no matter what,” Fletcher said. “You look however you want as long as you feel beautiful.”