Makeup artist helps young girl with alopecia find the courage to go bald in public: ‘We’re twins now!’

Alopecia can deeply affect a person’s confidence, especially for young girls like Elyssa.

But her outlook changed after meeting makeup artist Abby Wren (@abbywrenartistry), who also lives with alopecia.

The two connected through their shared experiences during a special one-on-one glam session.

In a video shared by Abby, Elyssa opened up about how the meeting inspired her and helped her feel more confident in her skin.

“Today was Elyssa’s FIRST time bald in public!! 🥹,” she captioned the post. “I am SO incredibly proud of her courage all day long, and so grateful we caught this special moment together where she bravely pulled off her hat for the first time around other people.”

In the video, makeup artist Abby begins the session with Elyssa, a young girl with alopecia, gently suggesting she remove her hat to make applying makeup easier.

Abby reassures Elyssa there’s no shame in not having hair, but Elyssa hesitates, unsure.

“I don’t know. I’m not sure,” Elyssa replies wearily.

The makeup artists patiently encourage her, saying it’s a safe space without pressure.

To ease the moment, the man behind the camera compliments Elyssa’s colorful sweatshirt, and Abby enthusiastically agrees, adding, “I love it.”

Shortly after, Elyssa bravely removes her hat, confidently revealing her bald head.

Abby reacts excitedly, celebrating the moment by calling them “twins” and offering a high-five.

She praises Elyssa’s courage, saying, “I’m so proud of you.”

In a caption within the video, Abby shares how emotional the moment was for her, admitting she was “freaking out inside” while trying to stay calm on the outside.

As the glam session ends, Abby adds a bold neon green eyeshadow while chatting with Elyssa.

Elyssa smiles and thanks Abby, who excitedly declares, “We’re twins now!”

The video captures a sweet moment of them posing together, with Elyssa’s look complete, including a playful mushroom and frog design on her cheeks.

In the caption, Abby shared the emotional impact of the experience, reflecting on the strength of the Alopecia community.

She wrote, “If this brave 10-year-old can face her fears, you can too. Forever inspired by these amazing babes!”

Viewers responded quickly to the touching moment between Elyssa and Abby, filling the comments with praise.

Many noted how Elyssa’s confidence grew during the session, with some saying it was a moment she would remember for years.

Others praised Abby for creating a safe, supportive environment and helping Elyssa feel comfortable.

One parent, whose child also has alopecia, expressed how inspired they were by Elyssa’s bravery, calling her a strong example of self-acceptance.

Abby Wren

Abby Wren, an award-winning artist, strongly advocates for the alopecia community, using her makeup artistry to promote self-acceptance and inclusion.

After losing all her hair at 15 due to alopecia, she embraced creative makeup to express herself and reclaim her femininity.

Her bald head is a canvas for vibrant designs, encouraging others to embrace their unique qualities.

One of her recurring themes is aliens, symbolizing mystery, wonder, and baldness.

Through her art, Abby uses creativity to inspire, heal, and connect with others, particularly children. She believes art helps people express themselves and brings joy to all ages.

Raised in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, Abby’s love for nature shaped her bold, vibrant artistic style.

Now living in Los Angeles with her husband, Wade Holland, her work has been showcased in major events like New York Fashion Week and global ad campaigns.

Abby is also dedicated to raising awareness for alopecia, using her platform to promote empowerment and inclusivity.

Her “Different Is Dope” message encourages people to embrace what makes them unique.

Here’s Abby, giving Ellysa the strength to go out in public bald for the first time: