Woman Who Camouflaged Large Facial Birthmark for Over a Decade Decides to Go Makeup-Free

"For years I've practiced ways to hide it with the help of makeup, but now I want to show others the real me and not hide away anymore," said Lauren Foster

Photo: Caters News Agency

Lauren Foster has been using makeup to hide a port wine stain birthmark on her face since the age of 6 – but recently got the courage to go makeup-free.

The U.K. woman was born with the mark on her face, and began at the age of 2 to undergo laser treatments to try to reduce the red appearance to no avail, according to the Daily Mail.

Because of her birthmark, Foster was bullied and teased throughout her life.

“I’ve grown up with people frequently pointing and staring,” she told the Daily Mail. “People struggle to make eye contact with me at times, and others won’t even speak to me because they’re worried to look at my birthmark.”

Foster used to wear camouflage makeup every day to try to hide her birthmark, but recently decided she wanted to live makeup-free.

“For years I’ve practiced ways to hide it with the help of makeup, but now I want to show others the real me and not hide away anymore,” she told the news site. “By showing it off I finally feel like I can be myself.”

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Although she used to be self-conscious about the mark, now Foster sees it as a source of pride.

“I couldn’t be more proud of my port wine stain because it’s a massive part of who I am,” she said. “I have more confidence than ever before.”

After gaining her newfound confidence, Foster is paying it forward by helping other people with facial abnormalities learn how to apply camouflage makeup.

“I know [ ] how a facial disfigurement can affect a person’s life, so I wanted to help others,” she said. “I’m fortunate to have the confidence to be able to show off my port wine stain, but I know what it’s like to want to hide away. I want to give people the option to use skin camouflage, and when they finally feel ready, they can go make-up free like me.”

Foster hopes to instill confidence in other people who may suffer with self-image because of their birthmarks.

“I want others to realize that birthmarks are completely normal,” she said. “They make you who you are, and you’re just as beautiful as anyone else.”