06.16.23
e.l.f. Cosmetics has launched “Show Your(s)e.l.f.”—an uplifting series featuring inspirational stories from role models overcoming adversity to help bring more positivity, inclusivity and accessibility to the beauty industry.
A paralympian who set multiple records in 2020, Anastasia lost her vision gradually, becoming blind at the age of 14 due to a degenerative autoimmune disease. Anastasia turned to social media to help herself deal with life, but as she recounts, “I noticed that it also started helping other people and that was amazing, so I kept going.”
With a social following of over 2.7 million, she often posts videos about her life, how to navigate being blind, her approach to beauty and her journey as a competitive swimmer in hopes to help her community.
Sharing her battle with depression and bullying after losing her eyesight, Anastasia turned to swimming and her guide dog Radar to guide her through this time. Anastasia also tapped into her love for makeup to make her feel good on the inside and out. As Anastasia shared, “Everyone deserves to love makeup and look and feel beautiful.”
“It took me a long time to adjust to who I am and to my blindness,” said Anastasia. “But now I love to embrace it and share my dark humor and my blind girl moments, because that's what makes me, me.”
Together with Anastasia, e.l.f. is exploring ways to deepen their partnership in service to the broader community.
Kory Marchisotto, Chief Marketing Officer, e.l.f. Beauty notes, “e.l.f. doesn’t just talk about impacting change, we make change happen. Anastasia makes us better humans, and we hope her story will inspire others. Her profound impact on us inspired us to think differently. We are proud that Anastasia will help guide us on the journey as we work to make our cosmetics and skin care accessible for every eye, lip, face and skin concern.”
Learn more about Anastasia and watch the first episode of “Show Your(s)e.l.f.” below.
Anastasia Pagonis Tells Her Story
The first of what will be many in the “Show Your(s)e.l.f." series kicks off by celebrating the story of Anastasia Pagonis, a 19-year-old blind paralympic swimmer and world record-holder, who proves that anything is possible even in the face of the toughest obstacles.A paralympian who set multiple records in 2020, Anastasia lost her vision gradually, becoming blind at the age of 14 due to a degenerative autoimmune disease. Anastasia turned to social media to help herself deal with life, but as she recounts, “I noticed that it also started helping other people and that was amazing, so I kept going.”
With a social following of over 2.7 million, she often posts videos about her life, how to navigate being blind, her approach to beauty and her journey as a competitive swimmer in hopes to help her community.
Sharing her battle with depression and bullying after losing her eyesight, Anastasia turned to swimming and her guide dog Radar to guide her through this time. Anastasia also tapped into her love for makeup to make her feel good on the inside and out. As Anastasia shared, “Everyone deserves to love makeup and look and feel beautiful.”
“It took me a long time to adjust to who I am and to my blindness,” said Anastasia. “But now I love to embrace it and share my dark humor and my blind girl moments, because that's what makes me, me.”
Donation to ‘The Hidden Opponent’
To support Anastasia’s hope to help lift others, e.l.f. is donating $75,000 to one of Anastasia’s favorite organizations, “The Hidden Opponent,” a nonprofit that raises awareness for student-athlete mental health. This is part of e.l.f.’s plans to donate 2% of its prior year profits to drive positive impact in our communities annually.Together with Anastasia, e.l.f. is exploring ways to deepen their partnership in service to the broader community.
Kory Marchisotto, Chief Marketing Officer, e.l.f. Beauty notes, “e.l.f. doesn’t just talk about impacting change, we make change happen. Anastasia makes us better humans, and we hope her story will inspire others. Her profound impact on us inspired us to think differently. We are proud that Anastasia will help guide us on the journey as we work to make our cosmetics and skin care accessible for every eye, lip, face and skin concern.”
Learn more about Anastasia and watch the first episode of “Show Your(s)e.l.f.” below.
