In 2010, Steph Aiello was involved in a car accident one day before she was to begin cosmetology school. Steph sustained a spinal cord injury and became a quadriplegic with limited hand function. However, with support from those around her, Steph did not let her injury hinder her dreams of becoming a make-up artist.
“I hope I’m reaching people who have never heard the words “there’s no such thing as I can’t.” I hope they are watching my channel and find the inner strength to try…and try again.”
Steph’s occupational therapist helped her find ways to maneuver brushes with the palms of her hands and open products with her mouth. After months of practice, Steph’s make-up skills were better than before her accident. Her skills gave her the confidence to start an Instagram account focused on beauty. Steph gained thousands of followers, but she did not disclose she had a spinal cord injury until she met beauty guru, Tyra Banks.
“(Tyra Banks) told me to make my hands my brand and that’s exactly what I’ve done ever since.”
Steph and friend, Chelsie Hill, attended BeautyCon Las Vegas in 2016. Chelsie shared Steph’s story with Tyra. To Steph’s surprise, Tyra called her out on stage and encouraged her to not hide her limited hand function with her followers. Steph credits this moment for changing her life.
Steph no longer hides her hand function on her Instagram page (which has 120,000 followers.)
Steph has become a professional make-up artist and a prominent beauty influencer.