My name is Amba, and I’m from Lincolnshire. I was born with a rare genetic condition linked to the GNA11 gene, resulting in extensive vascular birthmarks that cover my body from head to toe, both externally and internally. My birthmarks are associated with Sturge-Weber syndrome, which affects my head, face, and neck, and Cutis Marmorata Telangiectatica Congenita (CMTC), which creates the distinctive marbled pattern across the rest of my body.

For as long as I can remember, my appearance has shaped many of my life experiences. As a child, I knew I was different, but it became much more apparent after undergoing laser treatment. I began laser treatment at just eight months old on the recommendation of my dermatologist and continued having sessions every six months until I was six years old, undergoing 10 treatments altogether. Although the treatment was intended to reduce the appearance of my facial birthmark, it was around this time that the bullying began due to my appearance straight after laser.

Around the same time, I was introduced to camouflage makeup. My parents always allowed me to decide whether I wanted to wear it, and over time I taught myself how to apply it. At first, I only wore it for special occasions such as birthdays and parties, but that changed when I began secondary school. As I entered my teenage years, the pressure to hide my birthmarks grew stronger. Friends encouraged me to cover my skin so I would fit in. Like many teenage girls, I desperately wanted to belong, so makeup became more than just cosmetics; it became my armour.

Determined to find products that truly worked for me, I immersed myself in learning professional makeup techniques, particularly colour correction. What began as a way to hide my birthmarks soon developed into a genuine passion. However, it also became a mask. By the age of fourteen, I rarely allowed anyone to see my natural skin, convinced that covering my birthmarks was the only way to feel beautiful and experience a sense of belonging.

Health complications eventually forced me to leave mainstream education. After spending six months out of school, I attended a hospital school to complete my GCSEs. During this difficult period, makeup became both my creative outlet and my coping mechanism. I spent countless hours practising techniques, experimenting with products, and making sure no one could see the skin beneath. During this time, I also decided to restart laser treatment because I was determined to do everything I could to remove my birthmark. I underwent a further five treatment sessions, hoping they would help me achieve the appearance I longed for.

Despite sitting my GCSEs from a hospital bed just 24 hours after surgery while managing further complications caused by my condition, I passed every exam I needed to study Beauty Therapy at college. Although I continued hiding my skin beneath makeup, fake tan, and long sleeves, everything changed during a Dermalogica facial training session when I had to remove my makeup in front of my classmates. It was a moment I had feared for years, but it became the beginning of a new chapter.

Since then, I have shared my story online, and my journey has evolved from hiding my birthmarks to embracing them. Today, I use my experiences to raise awareness of vascular birthmarks, challenge misconceptions, and encourage others to feel confident in their own skin. I believe beauty is not about covering who we are, but about embracing what makes us unique.

Through sharing my story, I have had the privilege of working with leading beauty brands, including Sleek MakeUP, ISOCLEAN, Collection Cosmetics, where I proudly showcased the Birthmark Support Group wristband throughout the campaign, MUA Cosmetics, and, from January 2026, CeraVe Skincare. In 2025, I also graduated with First Class Honours in Special Makeup Effects for Film and TV from the University of Greater Manchester.

Today, I am incredibly honoured to be an Ambassador for the Birthmark Support Group, supporting others who may be facing the same challenges I experienced growing up. My hope is to inspire anyone who feels different, misunderstood, or judged to embrace who they are. No one should ever feel they have to hide themselves to be accepted. My journey has taught me that confidence doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from acceptance, resilience, and learning to love the person you already are.