Sask. makeup artist trying to break barriers in the industry
Breanna Pijnenburg is a local makeup artist born with scoliosis, she's paralyzed from the waist down but she isn’t letting her disability hold her back from her goal.
“I loved makeup ever since I was 12. My cousin was the first person do ever do my makeup. I say professionally because I felt really good,” said Pijnenburg with a laugh.
Pijnenburg currently operates out of the Guild Studios after being certified as a makeup artist through MC College.
"My ultimate goal is to have my own makeup brand."
She said she learned a lot of what she knows from YouTube videos. Pijnenburg identifies as Cree.
“It’s important to have people that look like you in the industry,” said Pijnenburg. “I have never seen anybody in a wheelchair, like ever in the industry so I want to change that. I want to make this the new normal.”
Creating that change while in a wheelchair has come with difficulties.
“It’s tough because the world around you isn’t accessible so you kind of have to go with the flow and make your world accessible,” said Pijnenburg. “I make the changes I need to have, like a little short stool and like a little bigger room and have clients come to me.”
On Sunday Guilt Studios hosted a styled-makeup shoot to showcase Pijnenburg's makeup skills with models of diverse backgrounds.
“I feel like if you have like a difference about you, you can definitely make that your way to stand out. It doesn’t have to be a negative.”
Laura Jones is one of the models participating in the shoot who describes herself as a curvy model.
“The purpose of this shoot is to be able to really almost see diversity as normal,” said Jones. “Breanna is a friend of mine and an amazing makeup artist. She is showing that there no limits in terms of what you can do with your talent.”
Proving age can’t hold her back Lois Unger is another model participating in the shoot.
“I am overwhelmed by Breanna's enthusiasm and what she has done. She works from a chair, doing makeup, professional makeup and it looks amazing.”
Pijnenburg hopes the next stage of her career involves heading to Vancouver to work to attend the Blanche Macdonald Centre’s makeup school.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.