Zhou Wenjuan makes up for a villager. [Xinhua/Xue Yuge]

Zhou Wenjuan, 32, is a native of Chaoyang, a village in Shuangpai, a county in Yongzhou, a city in Central China's Hunan Province. In 2007, she went, alone, to Beijing to attend cosmetic-technique training (at a beauty school). When she returned home to visit her relatives, during her vacation, Zhou noticed many "aunties" (middle-aged women) in Chaoyang were interested in her makeup. That inspired her to help the women improve their appearances. In 2012, shortly after she completed her studies (at the school), Zhou returned home to establish a makeup store.

Affected by the novel coronavirus epidemic, Zhou did not resume work immediately after the Spring Festival (on January 25, 2020). As a result, she found time, free of charge, to help the "aunties" (in her village) wear makeup. Zhou also recorded, through videos, the marked improvement in the women's appearances.

"Seeing the envious looks in the eyes of the 'aunties,' I tried to persuade them to put on makeup. However, they were too shy to try. My grandma, who was an octogenarian, was the 'first person to try tomato.' Amazed at the awesome effect of the makeup, many 'aunties' asked me to help them improve their looks," recalls Zhou.

As she is aware the "aunties" spend much time doing farm work every day, Zhou makes an agreement, before she visits a woman, to provide in-home service. As they often work outdoors, most of the women have sun-weathered skin, especially their faces, necks and/or arms. Also, many years of hard work has left their hands rough and callused. Zhou always applies skincare products on the women's skin before she helps them apply makeup.

In addition to various cosmetics, Zhou always takes a mirror with her, so the "aunties" can appreciate their new look after Zhou helps them apply the makeup. "Interesting enough, quite a few 'aunties' are so shy that they peek at their images in the mirror," says Zhou.

She has been impressed by the pleasant changes in many of the "aunties." Satisfied with the remarkable result of Zhou's makeup, one of the women rummaged through chests and cupboards (in her house), but she could not find a beautiful dress to match the make up. Then, she decided to buy some new clothes to dress up. She realized she should love both herself and her family.

"An 'auntie' looked at herself in the mirror, carefully, after I helped her apply makeup. Within a short time, she had her tooth filled. She has become more confident since then," recalls Zhou.

To her pleasant surprise, Zhou's videos (uploaded to several social-media platforms) of helping the "aunties" wear makeup became a hit with netizens. Since then, many young people in Chaoyang's neighboring villages, who have left home to work elsewhere, have asked Zhou to help their mothers wear makeup. So far, Zhou has helped, free of charge, more than 50 rural women with makeup and hairstyling.

"I'm addicted to my work … When I see the 'aunties' look excitedly at their new selves in the mirror, I feel that all of my efforts have been worthwhile. I'm also delighted to learn my videos have generated concern among many Chinese for left-behind women. I'm also glad that with my help, many 'aunties' have found happiness in their lives," says Zhou.

Determined to carry on her work, Zhou plans to encourage more makeup artists to join her in helping rural women wear makeup. "Many rural women, who devote all of their efforts to tending their families, care little about themselves. I hope I can help them discover their beauty and value," says Zhou.

Zhou Wenjuan combs the hair for a villager. [Xinhua/Xue Yuge]

(Source: Xinhua/Women of China English Monthly December 2021 issue)