Every day at SLOHS one can see all types of artistry expressed through fashion and makeup styles on campus. Sophomore Nicole Strampe is one of those riding the wave, often advocating how makeup is a great outlet for boys and girls alike. Expressions interviewed her on her interest in makeup artistry.

Expressions: What first got you interested in makeup artistry?

Sophomore Nicole Strampe: As I was growing up, my older sister always did her makeup prettily and it sparked an interest in it for me, so I started trying it on myself in middle school. Then as I started using social media and following a lot of beauty gurus, I saw how many different ways you could apply and style your makeup which really got me inspired to practice and get good at it.

Expressions: How often do you do your makeup?

Strampe: Everyday. On schooldays I do my regular makeup routine, while on the weekends I experiment with other looks.

Expressions: Do you ever do your friends’ makeup?

Strampe: Sometimes. If they want something simple I will apply it on them but I’ve never given someone a complete makeover with makeup yet.

Expressions: Who’s your favorite beauty guru, and what is your favorite technique you learned from them?

Strampe: I would say James Charles. I learned from him that if you want to add a little pop to your everyday eyeliner, you can first apply a slightly bigger line of any color eyeliner and then your normal black eyeliner on top of that as you usually would. It’ll look like you have a colored line above your eyeliner!

Expressions: How has makeup helped you become who you are today?

Strampe: Makeup has definitely helped me become more confident in myself because it brings out my best features and helps me feel like I’m without judgement. I always get compliments on my eyeliner as well which is totally confidence boosting! I would also say makeup is a healthy outlet for me to express my creativity. Without that outlet, I wouldn’t be who I am today. There’s so much freedom within makeup and it’s really cool to be unafraid of being myself as I play with all kinds of unique looks.

Expressions: How do you see your love of makeup affecting your future?

Strampe: I hope that as I grow and learn more about makeup, my passion will become a source of inspiration for others who also wish to get into the art of makeup. If I can inspire others to give it a try and grow with me on this journey, that’s all I really need to make me happy.