It Figures is Yahoo Life’s body image series, delving into the journeys of influential and inspiring figures as they explore what body confidence, body neutrality, and self-love mean to them.
Mikayla Nogueira established her presence in the beauty realm on TikTok by captivating viewers with her exceptional makeup skills, infectious energy, and, of course, her unmistakable Boston accent. However, the creator, who boasts an impressive 15 million followers on the short-form video app alone, emphasizes that her platform is not solely focused on appearances.
“For me, beauty encompasses the mind. When I feel mentally well, that is true beauty to me. It means taking care of myself, whether it’s staying hydrated or going for a walk. Beauty is also found in the ability to prepare a homemade meal in my kitchen,” she reveals to Yahoo Life.
This unexpectedly holistic perspective aligns perfectly with Nogueira’s partnership with KVD Beauty’s latest “F the Rules” campaign. This campaign encourages individuals to either abide by or disregard beauty norms as they please. “I relate to the ‘f*** rules’ side. It represents my core essence,” she states.
This rebellious attitude has led Nogueira to stick with “2016” beauty techniques, such as bold brows, strong contouring, and vibrant highlighter, even as natural makeup looks gain popularity. It has also empowered her to address various topics with her followers, particularly those related to mental health, extending beyond the realm of makeup.
“I remember creating a video about two and a half years ago where I unboxed makeup. It featured some music and a text saying, ‘Hey, guys. Sorry I haven’t been posting much, I’m not mentally doing the greatest,'” she recalls. “That was the first time I openly discussed it, and the support was overwhelming.”
Subsequently, she felt compelled to share her struggles with body image and an eating disorder.
“I’m terrified to post this, but I’m going to take you on my journey of self-care, both inside and out,” she captioned a video on January 12, 2022. In this video, she recounted her years-long battle with bulimia, shining a light on how many of her millions of followers likely shared similar experiences.
“We often underestimate the extent of how many people struggle with body image, eating disorders, or low self-esteem in general. That’s why I talk about body image, in the hope of reaching others,” she explains. “If I can positively impact just one person’s perspective on body image, eating disorders, or mental health, then I consider it a significant achievement.”
It is crucial to her that this impact remains positive.
“I am still navigating my own eating disorder, so it’s easy for me to say the wrong thing,” she admits. To ensure responsible use of her platform, she has joined forces with the National Alliance for Eating Disorders. “They have helped me learn how to discuss eating disorders in a productive and healthy manner. It’s good for me, too.”
Although she continues to work on her own relationship with food and her body, she finds hope in the impact her account has on others.
She tearfully recounts a father approaching her during a meet and greet: “Mikayla, I have to tell you that my daughter is alive today because of you. She battles eating disorders, and your openness about them made her comfortable enough to confide in her family. She is now receiving help and is alive today thanks to you.”
Another woman she encountered at a state fair expressed her gratitude: “Mikayla, you saved me. You’re the reason why I can come to this fair, enjoy food, and have a good time.”
“That’s precisely why I talk about these difficult topics,” says Nogueira.
And for those who believe it is not her place, considering she is primarily known on the internet for her dramatic eyeshadow looks paired with bold eyeliner and voluminous lashes, she strongly disagrees.
“You see, beauty goes beyond makeup. For me, it encompasses so much more,” she asserts. “Makeup saved my life, quite literally. I am here today because of makeup. Whenever I felt lost, alone, depressed, or anxious at any point in my life, makeup was always there for me. To some people, makeup is just makeup. But to me, it is everything. It is my creative expression and a means to showcase who I am. It’s all interconnected.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please visit the National Eating Disorders (NEDA) website at nationaleatingdisorders.org for more information.
