Most people’s makeup routines involve the basic steps such as foundation, blush and mascara. But for sophomore Erene Porter, makeup is a much longer process, sometimes lasting hours, in which she takes on a new persona with each look.

“I started because I thought it was another fun way to express myself other than art,” Porter said. “I didn’t really have any makeup equipment yet, so I would take paint or watercolor and do fun little designs all over my face.”

At 10 years old, Porter discovered her love for makeup, experimenting with art supplies as practice. Eventually turning to YouTube videos to help better her makeup knowledge, Porter taught herself the basics, practicing when she had the chance.

“I’ve grown quite a bit in the time I dedicate to my makeup. I went from practicing every once in a while to every other week when I had the chance,” Porter said.

First experimenting with pops of colors and geometric shapes, Porter did not shy away from trying artistic looks, even with little experience. But stepping into the world of unconventional makeup can be overwhelming for beginners, with an infinite amount of tools, technique, and styles available, each requiring a different skillset. Mistakes are common, whether uneven lines, blending problems, or underperforming products, and the pressure to create flawless looks can be discouraging, but Porter never wavered in her creativity.

“I didn’t always like the way the makeup would turn out or would give up halfway through because it looked bad,” Porter said. “But I practiced a lot and learned to trust the process of how makeup goes, even though I still think there’s always room for improvement.”

Constantly practicing with new styles and improving her skills, Porter is drawn to the more unique, self-expressive side of makeup, experimenting with unique designs and colorful products.

“My makeup has always been unique and random, I feel like it can be more expressive and show emotion,” Porter said. “I love that I get to do a bunch of random designs, and the makeup looks always represent what I want them to.”

Practicing weekly, Porter has created a wide variety of makeup looks. One of her favorites is her clown-inspired makeup, in which she uses white face paint as a base, and then eyeshadow and blush to add color to her eyes and cheeks. She also gives herself unique eyeliner and applies fake eyelashes for a more exaggerated look.

“My favorite experiences have to be when I do clown makeup. I love that I get to do a whole bunch of random designs, and how the looks always look a little different from the last,” Porter said.

Another design she enjoyed was her makeup inspired by the character Blue Diamond from Steven Universe, in which she used blue face paint as a base and applied pearls and glitter across her face.

One road-bump that impacts the process of makeup is the high cost of makeup products. High-quality makeup products, which are often essential in achieving professional-looking designs, can be expensive, and therefore hard for those who practice makeup as a hobby to afford. Because of this, Porter turns to cheaper alternatives that can be found at drug stores, but still spends $100 to $200 on supplies a month. Despite the cost, Porter believes the joy of discovering new makeup looks is worth the financial sacrifice.

“I love when I get to see the finished product, because my makeup is a step-by-step process, so when I get to see how well it turns out it always makes me super happy. It’s worth all the time and effort,” Porter said.

Going on five years of practicing makeup, Porter is still growing in her abilities, gaining confidence with each finished look. Porter has plans to pursue makeup after school, both as a personal hobby and as a career, hoping to become a makeup artist.

“You can do makeup with really anything if you have the creative mindset for it, like how I started off by using paint.” Porter said. “You can always start with basic makeup appliances and watch YouTube videos of the type of style you want to learn and work your way up from there. It’s a different process for everyone.”