Beauty Guru Of The Month: April

Life is short. You hear these words so often that people always almost take it for granted but not April, a 35-year old makeup expert who is currently based in Kentucky. When she was just 15 years old, April was diagnosed with bone cancer and was given nine months to live, but her love for life defied the odds. After ten years, April, StarCentral Magazine’s Beauty Guru of the Month for the month of July 2015, lives on with an inspiring story that will make everyone feel good inside and out.

April’s fascination with makeup initially bloomed when she was battling weight issues back in high school. She thought that makeup would be a great diversion for her and this had pushed her to be a better makeup artist. As she progressed, she noticed that more people would approach her so she can do their makeup. It turned her life around.

Her love for makeup has shifted from being a hobby into a career. She watched YouTube for years and discovered how her knowledge about it seems so broad compared to what was being demonstrated by the people on the screen. April loves to make others feel beautiful may it be from the outside or within so when she turned 35, she turned off other distractions and launched her own board of success. In November 2014, her own YouTube channel was born.

‘I thought it’s either now or never!’ she tells. This leap of faith started to grow and soon, makeup enthusiasts and supporters from all walks of life begin to subscribe. ‘I have never been this happy or felt this fulfilled’, she continues.

Makeup has been an effective platform for April to express herself. She likes the idea of reinventing herself every now and then to better adapt to the ever-changing nature of fashion. She still enjoys watching YouTube videos as these things reflect certain people’s true passion for makeup. She states that connecting with her subscribers is the ultimate source of inspiration. ‘My subscribers tell me that I am genuine or that they think of me as a friend. I am happy being me and when people relate to that, I am truly humbled’, she shares. April has really blossomed from being a silent spectator to carving the path to her dreams. She believes that making other people feel beautiful through the things she does is the fount of fulfilment and it is definitely the best feeling in the world.

Where does her family stand in all these? April’s husband has always been beside her from the very beginning, may it be for researching quality cameras, computers, and other editing software that could help improve her videos, and he stands by her like a rock. Her parents and children also shower her with love and understanding that other than the bond she has formed with her followers online and other amazing friends she met along the way, her family also has been the power that motivates her to achieve whatever it is that will make her happy.

It has been a good journey so far. April plans to flourish even more as she hopes to grow her freelance business and continue to build her channel. She seeks to bring all the latest makeup trends to people who are as passionate as her.

Check out April’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/apennprincess

‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round:

1. What is the one beauty product you can’t live without? Lipstick

2. What is the most dramatic thing you’ve ever done to change your looks? Went back to my natural dark brown hair colour after being blonde for 20 years.

3. What is in your makeup bag when you travel? Everything! I am NOT a light packer! I need options!

4. What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself? My scar on my back. It reminds me every day how lucky I am!

5. Your best guilty pleasure. Food!