In this day and age, when you go ahead and google a make-up tutorial to get that contouring or cat-eye right, you are directed to a long list of YouTube videos, articles and blogs. And honestly, you can’t guess which one is the best for you until you watch it as there are myriad ways to get it right. There’s a reason why you don’t judge a book by its cover.
Even though all those suggestions may appear similar to you, there’s always something that sets them apart. And this time we are looking at a beauty blogger who has chosen an unusual but brilliant way to make her videos accessible to all, including her deaf or hard of hearing audience. Everybody deserves a chance to glow and Catherine Martinez gets it. She uses sign language in all her videos while reviewing a product, demonstrating tutorials or swatching new lipstick.
Martinez told PizzaBottle in an interview that she began working on ASL videos when she observed a serious lack of guidance for the deaf community in the beauty world. She has studied communicative sciences and disorders in college and is hoping to spread awareness through her videos about the importance of accessible communication.
“Sign language, which happens to be in the (Communicative Sciences and Disorders) program, is something that I fell in love with and was eager to learn. Many of my peers who were either deaf or hard of hearing always complimented my makeup and were interested in the beauty industry. However, they did not feel like they fit in since there isn’t much deaf culture beauty resources or involvement,” she shared in the same interview.
“It just struck me one day when a few peers in my class asked me to translate what a blogger they were watching was saying, since the tutorial was auditory and had no other mode of communication. I recently started my channel to change that,” she added.
Martinez, through her work, raises awareness about deaf culture inclusion in the beauty sphere and also uses her ASL videos as a chance to learn more sign language, simultaneously. She doesn’t only make sure that her followers are understanding her videos but she also translates the product recommendations into Spanish for family and followers, sometimes. Brands like Anastasia Beverly Hills and TheBalm Cosmetics have shown their support for Martinez’s work. Her tutorials are so far, the most accessible ones that we’ve come across and we are loving it. Martinez’s videos are exclusive and updated. She’s aces her beauty looks and we are certain you would love to give them a watch.
It feels wonderful to be represented and in the recent past, Fenty Beauty and Huda Beauty have done a great job by understanding and then, representing diversity. Artists who work towards projects similar to Martinez’s like Vitiligo dolls and albinism are now taking over the set definitions of the beauty industry and it can only get better from here.
If you loved her tutorials, you’ll certainly love her recommendations. Here are a few beauty products Martinez uses in her videos.
POPxo Recommends:
Make Up For Ever Ultra Hd Invisible Colour Foundation in Dark Sand (Rs 4,000) and Derma E, Vitamin C Micellar Cleansing Water, Probiotics & Rooibos (Rs 678)
