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I wandered the Tucson Mall, window-shopping while my mother-in law did the serious shopping in a department store. I was keeping an eye out for interesting faces and decent light in case I met someone for my Human Family photo project.
The mall has many small kiosks selling a wide variety of goods and services in addition to the more formal stores on either side. Kiosks were selling candies, cell phones, phone screen protectors, perfumes, cosmetics, and a host of other products. The most unusual of the kiosks was "Brow Bar" in which a customer was sitting in a reclining dentist-type chair while a cosmetician did threading to think out her eyebrows. Further down the aisle I saw this young woman and her friend, sitting on stools at a kiosk selling cosmetics. I thought her eyes were quite striking and even though the light was not great (filtered skylight and artificial indoor light) I approached her since she didn't seem busy. I introduced myself and explained my project. Meet Lulu.
Lulu seemed eager to support someone doing a project and said that she is an amateur photographer herself so she couldn't say no. She felt obliged to warn me that she doesn't know how to pose and never takes very good photos. I told her I would gladly take the risk and hoped to prove her wrong. I wanted to include something of the kiosk in the photo for context but it was a somewhat cluttered environment with mirrors surrounded by bright makeup lights. I used the reflector in an effort to even out the somewhat directional light from the skylight. Lulu's associate was kind enough to tend the kiosk while Lulu and I took a few minutes to meet and do the photos. In trying a few photos using the mirror lights to frame her, I noted that I was accidentally getting a selfie. Lulu said she thought that might be a creative effect so I went ahead and tried a couple, followed by "hiding" my reflection behind her.
Lulu explained that she is 22 and has been working at the kiosk for Bella Pierre Cosmetics (www.bellapierre.com/shop/) for just a couple of months. She's married but does not yet have children. When I asked her to tell me a bit about herself she said she is vegan and is an activist not only for animal rights but "for the planet." She's firmly committed to the fact that every decision we make has an impact on the planet's future - be it whether we choose to avoid meat or to ride our bicycle instead of taking the car. She went on to point out that it doesn't have to be "all or nothing" and that "every little bit helps." "Even if you don't feel like commit to veganism or bicycle riding full time, just doing it occasionally can help the planet."
When I asked what she liked best about working the kiosk, she said "People. I like people and I enjoy meeting people. I also like cosmetics and helping people with cosmetics. It's important to me that the company I'm working for is committed to no animal testing of its products." I had the impression that working in the kiosk was not Lulu's sole ambition in life but she said "I am happy with my job for now and I believe any job can teach you things about life and about yourself if you are willing to learn."
Lulu was born in Mexico (the border is only an hour or two from Tucson) and came to the U.S. with her family when she was young because of economic hardship in Mexico. Her greatest challenge in life so far? "Learning to accept myself. I experienced a lot of bullying throughout my childhood because I was an immigrant and didn't speak English. Prejudice has an impact on how you feel about yourself. I know that the more I respect and accept myself, then more people will accept and respect me - but that kind of self-respect is more easily described than achieved. It's an ongoing challenge."
It saddened me to hear that racism is still so prevalent in the world we live in and I couldn't help thinking that if people more fully understood the deep hurt and damage racism causes, there might be less of it.
Thank you Lulu for taking a few minutes to meet and for participating in The Human Family Group on Flickr. I hope you like the photos and I have a feeling that you are going to make a contribution to a more just world. I admire your strength in fighting off the effects of racism and bullying.
This is my 137th submission to The Human Family Group.
You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.
Follow-up: I received this following email from Lulu after sending her the photos. I think her words say volumes about her:
"Hello Jeff! Thank you for keeping your word and sending me the photos. They are very awesome portraits!!! I really like both of them. I was very touched to read my story, I can't express how thankful I am that you shared this with me and other people. I wish you the best in your projects, if you ever come back to Tucson, let me know if there is anything I can help you with. I hope you have a great night. "
Additional note: I am adding this link at Lulu's request. If any viewers are in a position to assist her in her goal of establishing official residency in the U.S., she would be grateful. www.gofundme.com/2xn7y6t8
♢ Our Saturday doll @wilmamua completing her look with a little bit of In Your Dreams magic✨ RAINBOW Face Jewel & Pink POCAHONTAS Hair Chalks 💕 Shop from the link in our bio >> Other products used: @MakeupForeverOfficial #Makeupforever #Foundation @KikiMilano #Kikomilano #Eyebrows @BellaPierreOfficial #BellaPierre #Pigments @KryolanOfficial #Kryolan #Aquacolours @Makeupstore #Makeupstore #Eyeshadow @SleekMakeUp #SleekMakeUp @Illamasqua #Illamasqua #Eyeliner ♢
♢ M Y T H I C A L 🔮💜🔮 by our talented dreamteam #mua @wilmamua ⚡️ Embellished in our New collection of ☄R A I N B O W P I X I E G E M S☄ Wear with our PURPLE UNICORN or other Chunky Glitters >> Shop from the link in bio >> Other products used👇 🔹Eyebrows @Sleekmakeup #Sleekmakeup 🔹Foundation HD in n117 @Makeupforever #Makeupforever 🔹Blush/Shading/Eyeliner #Aquacolor @Kryolanofficial #Kryolan 🔹Highlighter @revlon_uk #Revlon 🔹Eye pigments @Bellapierreofficial #BellaPierre 🔹Eyeshadow @Nyxcosmetics #Nyx 🔹Lipstick @Makeuprevolution #Revolution 🔹Mascara @isadoraofficial #Isadoramakeup♢
Virgin America Airbus A320-214 N848VA Bellapierre.
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Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Lip Pencil + BONUS Revolution High-Color Lipgloss
BelláPierre Cosmetics Waterproof Mineral Gel Eyeliner Pencil
AMIE Morning Dew Matte-Finish Moisturizer
Luxie Beauty Tapered Blending Eye Brush 205
♢We love this beautiful #DavidBowie inspired look by our dreamer @Wilmasl "The stars look very different today" 🌟🌑⚡️ Aqua colours @kryolanofficial #Kryolan Red greasepaint @Mehronmakeup #Mehron Gold pigment @bellapierreofficial #Bellapierre Lipstick @Illamasqua #illamasqua Eyeshadows @Makeupstore #Makeupstore ♢