People can’t take their eyes off of freshman Raylin Remedios when she walks into the classroom with a bloody zipper dividing her face in half. Students murmur and pictures are taken, yet Raylin enters in silence with her head held high.
She takes her seat as “Zipper face”, just one of the special effects makeup she applies each morning. She started doing special effects make up last October and has experimented with scar wax, eyeshadow, and latex daily. Raylin used to wake up at 5 AM to achieve her dramatic looks until the administration suggested she stop out of concern for her skin and violation of dress code in late January.
“I do my makeup this way to prove that it’s worth putting yourself out there,” said Raylin. “Don’t let those who don’t appreciate your talent stop you from being you.”
Some of her classmates believe Raylin is seeking attention and that she must feel insecure in her natural skin. But most compliment her and ask her for makeup advice. Because Raylin’s makeup sometimes involves gluing her mouth shut, her teachers do not view Raylin as a distraction and even admire how she allows her appearance to speak for itself, and demonstrating that it is what is on the inside that matters.
“I’ve had people come up to me and tell me how awesome I look and take a few pictures,” said Raylin. “That’s cool and all, until people get too close and want me to scare their peers.”
Raylin’s family supports her self-assurance, although they are concerned with the physical harm the cosmetics might cause. Her mom expresses how proud she is of her daughter for her originality and confidence.
“Negativity doesn’t stop me from doing what I love and what I’m best at.” said Raylin, “For the first time in my life I am happy with myself.”
Raylin wants to improve her makeup skills and inspire those who have not yet found the courage to express themselves publicly. She has been asked by the administrators to create a business card to promote her talent and to utilize it a school on Halloween.
Paula Szlufman contributed to this post