Beauty of the Month -

April 2025

How did you discover Beyond Beauty Project?

Through a friend online.

How did you break out of the box of perfectionism?

I broke out of the box …literally when I realized I was done dying my hair, I was purchasing the more expensive box dies at beauty supply stores and my sister and I both had been dying our hair for over 16 years! It was on a warm day and I was working in Beverly Hills, I saw my roots starting to show and I wanted to know what the rest of my hair looked like, I just made a decision in that moment that I wasn’t gonna dye my hair again and I was going to see how my gray hair looked. Lo and behold I was in for an amazing journey and had no idea I would meet amazing people through the Silver Sister community online. This was also during a time when I was going through the grief and sadness of a family member having become extremely ill and doctors could not diagnose her condition. I realized at that time in my life—there were more important things in than dying in my roots! And I was done.

What advice would you give your younger self about the pressure to be perfect?

I would definitely give my younger self advice on it being OK to be different, and accepting my uniqueness and my individuality as something worth celebrating and honoring versus always trying to fit in!

How has your perception of success changed over the years?

My perception of beauty has absolutely changed over the past 5 1/2 years since I stopped dyeing my hair, it has changed my mental state because I no longer look at people who are more mature or have different colored styles or hair, etc., and immediately have a judgment about that person, it also reminds me that success is a state of mind and not something external —you can feel successful just by accomplishing what you set out to do that day or being your honest and authentic self in a conversation with strangers! To me that’s success! The external validation means nothing if I don’t already love and appreciate My Self!

What helps you live authentically?

Staying in contact with my vulnerable feelings, and being present with my feelings, even when they are not always positive, even when there is sadness, and especially when there is grief and loss. There are tangible losses and intangible losses and both are equally valid!

How do you practice self-love?

I practiced self love through mirror-work and being in contact with my “inner child, Cindy “ I do a lot of inner child work and speak to my inner child with my loving parent on a daily basis.

What are ways you honor your body?

I honor my body by doing my best to not compare myself to other people and stopping comparing myself to what I see online or what the media wants to tell me what is attractive or beautiful, they are sorely wrong!! I now find wrinkles, age spots, and sagging skin to be beautiful, which I never did before!

About Cynthia

I am a make-up artist by trade, living in the Los Angeles area for the past 23 years. I originally studied painting and drawing in college, and fell in love with arts, and artistic community. For a moment, I thought I wanted to be a hairstylist, but quickly realized that was not my passion and make up and working with people in Beauty was where I was meant to be! I have lived all over the country but my favorite place is Southern California, anywhere near the ocean, is where my soul feels complete and I find peace and happiness abounds.

Cynthia's Socials:

IG: @Silverhairmakeupartist

TikTok: @unapologeticallygrey

silverhairmakeupartist.com

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