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About us & goodbye statement

About our founder and creative director

Sharmila Vooren

I am a disabled trans woman from the Netherlands and have been a make-up artist since 2018. After working for years in retail for brands and meeting people looking for guidance in make-up, I felt there was a need for space without judgement, exclusion or feelings of unsafety in the beauty industry. Especially for those who have been systematically marginalized, specifically those of trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming experience.

That’s why I decided to start teaching private make-up classes through my company
VAIN Beauty, specifically for LGBTQIA+ and disabled individuals. Because I experienced firsthand what it was like to find my way in make-up without someone who understands why we wear make-up and need certain guidance or tools to wear make-up in a way that brings joy. With VAIN Beauty we hope to expand these safer spaces to community events and make beauty/personal care products more accessible.

Hi everyone, thank you so much for your support in VAIN Beauty for the past 3 years.

I’m so incredibly thankful to have been able to go on this journey and meet amazing people, create beautiful campaigns and make moments happen.

Starting my company at 18 years old, with my savings from sex work and some support from my family, I wanted to make a difference in the make-up industry for queer, trans and disabled people.

I could’ve never imagined that now at 22 years old, my little make-up workshop studio and self-designed ergonomic brush handles would become a brand that people would grow to love.

Now 3 years later, after long consideration, I have come to a decision to close down VAIN Beauty as a brand and beauty marketplace.

Over the past 3 years I have worked really hard, with a lot of support from friends and family, to grow VAIN Beauty and have it reach its potential. We’ve been able to host many different make-up workshops, market stands, even creating my first ever documentary.

But at the same time, I’ve gone through lots of personal hardships and changes. Due to this, I am unfortunately no longer able to financially sustain my brand within my current capacity. My personal wellbeing has suffered a lot under trying to run all operations myself due to lack of funds.

Over time, my confidence has depended a lot on the success of my brand, which in return affected my self-worth and confidence in myself as an artist. I’ve also had to make too many sacrifices and go on paths of survival that affected me a lot in order to keep the brand alive. And I’ve realised that I have to let go of VAIN Beauty in it’s current state and focus on my personal wellbeing first.

In the coming months, there will be a last chance to shop makeup products via www.vainbeauty.co until March 1st 2025. After this period, I will evaluate what stock is left and look into donating (a portion) of the remaining stock to local organisation(s), as well as to community members/clients who do not have the financial means to purchase product (for as long as I have this stock left). On this date I will also shut down all VAIN Beauty channels and website.

The personalised and group make-up workshops will still continue to take place and are open for future bookings in 2025. However these will be under my personal name and not under VAIN Beauty. I will be adjusting my offers and introducing a new website in January 2025, where all info about my work can be found. I am also looking into brands that align with my values that I can continue to suggest/sell to clients privately. As well as a different structure for the personal make-up workshops that fits better into my new way of working.

I will be moving forward as an independent freelance make-up artist. I want to focus on my make-up workshops, creative directing, public speaking/hosting and creating beautiful work on sets and events. As well as looking for new opportunities that create ease and stability in my life, so I can pour back into myself and my community better. I hope this will also help me become debt-free sooner.

I feel like this direction truly aligns better with the woman I have become over the past few years and I’m very excited for this next chapter and what the future holds. Maybe at some point, I’ll try again, even if that may be in a different business structure.

I will be keeping you updated via my personal channels what my next steps are going to be. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, love and beautiful moments you have created with me. I can’t wait to make many more on this new path of my journey.

Lots of love,
Sharmila

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