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I grin Her heart-shaped face is littered with freckles that stand out against her peaches and cream skin Her perfectly sculpted eyebrows are a pale red, and her cupid’s bow lips are curved into a wide grin

“I love your tattoos,” I say

r />“Thank you After cheht to e? I’ve alanted a head tattoo anyway”

“It suits you”

“Thanks These are the flowers arden, so it’s very personal She was one of the people who really keptwhen this all happened”

“How many years have you been in remission?”

“Five But it never gets easier Each checkup you’re worried that it’ll be found I went in for a routine e two breast cancer I was rushed to surgery teeks later for a double an chemo In the span of twoht was survival I was only thirty-one I had my whole life ahead of me and two children to raise with my husband”

“I can’t even ih it” I finish her base with a light powder and move on to concealer I blend it in as she continues her story I’m amazed by her openness Many of the people who co deep into her own perspective

“Thank you Afterward, I felt ravaged I eak and unrecognizable It’s hard looking in the le to come to terms with the new me, but in time, I did”

As I apply her eye shadow and blush, I can’t help but think she’s talking to me

“Breasts and hair are deemed incredibly important to femininity in nearly every culture known to s, and you feel like you’ve lost your gender Suddenly you’re this blank pallet you aren’t sure how to design”

I understand her words all too well

“It’s so you never realize, but it’s so true Our culture is so focused on boobs and hair,” she says

“Can I get you to open your eyes and look up? I’ to apply some eyeliner and mascara Then all you need is lips, and you’ll be done” I say

She glances up, and I carefully line her top and bottom lip with a brown lip pencil “Perfect” I apply ht nude with a pop of shimmer “And you’re done Take a look at yourself in the mirror, doll” I step back, and she takes a shaky breath