“There’s a hero. If you look inside your heart. You don’t have to be afraid. Of what you are.”
A 9-year-old energetic Chari Guzman stood on stage for the first time to sing this Mariah Carey classic in 2004. She loved the song because the lyrics speak of being your own hero no matter what you face in life.
Beyond her captivating voice, the audience didn’t notice the makeup that covered her face or realize what she faced behind the curtains.
Chari began wearing makeup at an early age to cover her vitiligo. The American Academy of Dermatology states that vitiligo causes the skin to lose its natural color and produces patches of lighter skin. The color loss is still a mystery, but it’s not contagious or life threatening.
As a child in the early 2000’s, she saw that people didn’t know what vitiligo was and were scared of it. People would call her a burn victim, a cow, a pitbull, a mut and an oreo because she “talked like a white girl” and had white patches on her skin.
Makeup was constantly worn as a shield against the harsh words, but Chari didn’t allow those comments to define her.
“I really felt like it built my character because I always faced them with optimism, I always faced them with positivity,” Chari said.
Things took a turn in high school when she realized that she could love herself without covering what others might have considered an imperfection.
“I was like, ‘You know what, you don’t need the makeup anymore.’”
She was a part of the Pebblebrook Performing Arts Magnet Program, which constantly put her on stage to sing, dance and act. She performed in productions like “Hairspray,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Aida.”
“That’s where my real stepping out came where I was comfortable with myself and who I was as an individual with my vitiligo,” Chari said.
That confidence carried over into her college career as she has not only thrived in academics but also in extracurricular activities. The pre-med major was the Georgia State University- Perimeter College student government association vice president, a pageant titleholder in the Miss America Organization and more.
The college student also found a passion for makeup artistry. Her first paid gig was in 2015 when she did makeup for her sister-in-law’s wedding. That’s when she realized she could seriously turn makeup into a business.
“After that, the ball just kept rolling,” Chari said.
Today, the professionally self-taught artist’s clientele has grown significantly. She’s done makeup for drag queens, pageant contestants, brides, models and people attending special events.
Chari plans to continue to grow as an artist and a brand while presenting inclusivity of all skin tones and types. She also plans to pursue a career in aesthetic or cosmetic surgery.
As she continues to flourish, Mariah Carey’s words remain true throughout her journey.
“Look inside you and be strong. And you’ll finally see the truth. That a hero lies in you.”
The name calling, stares and judgemental people have only made Chari stronger, and she wouldn’t change any of it.
“I feel like God never gives you anything you can’t handle, and there was a reason I was put in this body,” Chari said. “I have intentions on seeing that through as to whatever my purpose is supposed to be.”
Follow her socials to see her next makeup look or YouTube video!
Facebook: @charimguzman
Instagram: @itscharimonet
MUA Client Instagram: @artistrybychari
YouTube: Chari Monet
Caleb Britt 