TUTORIAL
Drawing on Eyebrows From Scratch with Emmy Combs
Emmy shows how to draw on eyebrows using the Faux Brow Pen by L'Oréal.
A Message From Emmy Combs
“I lost all my hair when I was one year old, and for much of my life, I felt invisible. I wore bandanas for years, trying to hide something I believed made me different.
I created Beauty Beyond Barriers so no one would ever have to navigate this journey feeling alone.
This is a community where you are supported, loved, and seen. Beautiful beyond limits. Beyond barriers. Exactly as you are.
If you have ever felt misunderstood, unseen, or alone in your own journey, this space was created for you.”
Emmy Combs
Who We Are
Beauty Beyond Barriers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating a safe and uplifting space for individuals living with autoimmune conditions and visible differences.
Whether you are navigating alopecia, lupus, celiac disease, Sjögren's, another autoimmune diagnosis, or simply the experience of feeling visibly different, you are seen, supported, and celebrated here.
Our story is deeply personal.
Beauty Beyond Barriers was founded by Emmy Combs, Alex Youmazzo, and Christie Val. All three live with alopecia, and their lived experiences shape everything we build. While alopecia connects our founders, our mission extends far beyond one condition.
At Beauty Beyond Barriers, we believe confidence isn't found in hiding your differences — it's found in learning how to live with them in the open.
And while our founders all live with Alopecia, our mission extends far beyond one condition. We're creating space for individuals with all types of visible differences to show up without the pressure to be "fixed."
This is where confidence begins.
When you join Beauty Beyond Barriers, you step into a community that understands the complexity of this journey. Through connection, shared experiences, and meaningful support, we are building a place where every story matters and no one has to walk alone.
Beauty Beyond Barriers was created for anyone who has ever felt like they didn't fit into the world's definition of beauty.
Whether that's because of alopecia, an autoimmune condition, visible differences, or simply feeling like you've never seen yourself represented, this space was made for you.
Our mission is to empower confidence through community, advocacy, and inclusive representation.
We are breaking the barriers of beauty standards!
Welcome to Beauty Beyond Barriers Foundation, Inc.
You belong here.
Read Our Founders' Stories →
Our mission is to build a community where everyone belongs—and that begins with you.
For Anyone Who Has Ever Felt Different
If you have ever felt out of place or wished people truly understood you, you are not alone.
Beauty Beyond Barriers exists to help you feel seen, supported, and encouraged without needing to hide any part of yourself.
Here, you can find connection. Understanding. And a community that walks with you.
As our movement grows, we are creating real experiences and resources designed to uplift and empower you both online and in person.
Upcoming Events
Coming SoonThese events bring our community together through shared stories, creativity, and connection.
The Baldtourage Fashion Show
Summer 2026 | In person runway experience
Founded by Christie Val, The Baldtourage Fashion Show is a live runway experience centered on visibility, confidence, and self expression for people living with hair loss.
Through partnership, Beauty Beyond Barriers supports this event as part of its mission to create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered in real life.
These events are designed to bring our community together through shared stories, laughter, encouragement, and connection.
Our planned Media Hub will become a library of empowering stories, tutorials, and lived experiences created by and for our community, a place to stay inspired and informed on the best this community has to offer.
Media Hub
In DevelopmentA growing library of tutorials, conversations, and community stories.
STORY
Let's Talk About Alopecia with Alex Youmazzo
Alex talks about living with alopecia and navigating confidence on and off camera.
VIDEO
Inside the Baldtourage Fashion Show with Christie Val
Christie shares moments from the Baldtourage runway and the confidence behind the experience.
To keep this support going 24/7, we're building a safe Community Chat where you can connect, share, and encourage others.
Join Our Community
Launching SoonOur community chat is launching soon! Connect with others who understand your journey, share experiences, and celebrate victories. These curated private, invite only groups will be designed to uplift and keep you centered, and see real progress towards your goals no matter how big or small.
24/7 peer support and encouragement
Safe, moderated environment
Topic-based chat rooms
Weekly guided discussions
Daily Support Circle
Coming Soon
A
Alex 2:14 PM
Just wanted to say thank you all for the encouragement yesterday. Your words really helped me feel confident! 💕
M
Maya 2:16 PM
So proud of you! You're amazing ✨ testing to see if i can manually change the text
S
Sarah 2:18 PM
This community is everything! So grateful for all of you 🙏
Get Early Access
Sign up to be notified when our chat community launches and get priority access!
By entering your email address and clicking "Join Waitlist" you agree to receive email messages from Beauty Beyond Barriers at the email address provided. Unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
Everywhere you look, the world is telling you what beauty should be. Edited faces. Perfect bodies. Standards no one can truly live up to.
When you already feel different, those pressures can seem even harder. It can start to feel like no matter what you do, you will never match the version of beauty the world expects from you.
But everything changes when you meet someone who has walked through the same fears as you and chose to stand fully as themselves.
That is why our founders share their stories out loud. So you can see what is possible for us.
Our Collective Reach
36.8M+
Combined Followers Across Platforms
Emmy Combs
27.5M
Total Reach
TikTok 12.7M
YouTube 12.0M
Instagram 2.8M
Alex Youmazzo
7.0M
Total Reach
TikTok 6.4M
YouTube 56.3K
Instagram 508K
Christie Val
2.4M
Total Reach
TikTok 113K
YouTube 2.2M
Instagram 61.4K
Emmy Combs
Founder - President
Emmy Combs is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Professional Makeup Artist, and social media creator who has been inspiring millions online since 2018. Known for her artistry, authenticity, and confidence, Emmy uses her platform to redefine beauty standards and empower others to embrace self-expression without limits. Living with alopecia since she was 1 year old, she's built a vibrant community centered on self love and creativity through her beauty tutorials, lifestyle content, and storytelling. Emmy is one of the founders and is the President of Beauty Beyond Barriers, a nonprofit organization continuing her mission to prove that beauty is far more than what meets the eye.
Alex Youmazzo
Founder
Alex Youmazzo is a beauty and lifestyle creator, certified Pilates instructor, and advocate for confidence and self love. Living with alopecia since she was 6 years old, she has built a powerful platform that challenges traditional beauty standards and celebrates individuality through authenticity and creativity. Alex continues to empower others to embrace who they are inside and out. Through her growing wellness journey and Pilates practice, she inspires her community to find strength, balance, and beauty in every form.
Christie Val
Founder
Christie Val is a model, dancer, and advocate redefining beauty standards through authenticity and confidence. After losing her hair to alopecia at 23, she made history as the first bald Sports Illustrated model, a breakthrough that sparked her mission to empower others to embrace self love without limits. She's the founder of Baldtourage, a movement and community that celebrates girls and women living boldly with hair loss through fashion shows, confidence workshops, and storytelling. Through her work, Christie continues to prove that true beauty shines from courage, connection, and owning your story.
Your support helps create more moments like these for our community.
Support the Movement. Together Beyond Barriers
Every donation helps Beauty Beyond Barriers expand access to education, community, and empowering experiences for individuals living with autoimmune conditions.
Beauty Beyond Barriers exists to support people who have felt unseen, misunderstood, or alone, and to help turn shared experiences into confidence, connection, and real-world impact.
One of the most powerful expressions of this mission is The Baldtourage Fashion Show, founded by Christie Val. What began as a personal act of courage has grown into a space where people step fully into visibility, confidence, and self-expression.
Through our partnership, Beauty Beyond Barriers supports and uplifts the values behind Baldtourage while continuing to build programs and resources that serve the broader community year-round.
By giving today, you help strengthen this work and make more moments of connection, courage, and belonging possible.
An Empowerment Partnership: Beauty Beyond Barriers × The Baldtourage Fashion Show
Want to contribute directly to the 2026 Baldtourage Fashion Show?
DonateSupport Beauty Beyond Barriers
How to donate
You can make a one-time donation in any amount.
We are deeply grateful for your generosity and for taking the time to learn about our mission. Your gift means the world to us.
Want to be more involved?
Monthly contributions are for supporters who want to be part of the community on an ongoing basis. Monthly giving helps us plan ahead, run regular programs, and host community events throughout the year.
Monthly supporters may receive priority access to updates and limited-capacity opportunities as they become available.
What your contribution supports
- core operating costs that keep the organization running
- planning and production support for community events and partnerships
- educational content, storytelling, and platform development
- long-term infrastructure to support future programs and services
What your contribution supports
Your support helps keep Beauty Beyond Barriers operating, growing, and building the foundation for future programs, partnerships, and events.
Supporter • $5/month
Helps support the foundation of Beauty Beyond Barriers.
- • contributes to core operating costs
- • supports content, planning, and platform upkeep
- • helps keep the organization running consistently
Recommended
Community Circle • $25/month
The core way to support Beauty Beyond Barriers.
- • supports programs, partnerships, and events
- • priority access to updates and limited capacity opportunities
- • early notification for signups and announcements
- • helps fund the systems that make growth possible
Impact Partner • $100/month
For supporters who want to accelerate growth.
- • includes everything in Community Circle
- • helps fund expansion, partnerships, and new initiatives
- • provides stability for long-term planning
Choose the level that feels right for you. Every contribution helps strengthen the organization and the work it supports.
Support the Baldtourage Fashion Show Directly
Want to contribute directly to the 2026 Baldtourage Fashion Show? You can donate to Beauty Beyond Barriers through the Baldtourage page, where 100% of your donation will go toward producing the fashion show event for girls and women affected by alopecia.
Donate to the Fashion ShowFrequently Asked Questions
Are my donations tax-deductible?
▾
Yes. As a registered 501(c)(3) organization, eligible donations are tax-deductible in the United States. Please retain your donation receipt for your records.
How can I donate?
▾
You can donate securely on this page by choosing a monthly tier or making a one-time contribution of any amount.
Can I cancel or change my monthly donation?
▾
Yes, you can cancel or adjust your monthly donation at any time through your donor portal or by contacting us at hello@beautybeyondbarriers.org.
What is Beauty Beyond Barriers?
▾
Beauty Beyond Barriers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting and empowering young women with alopecia and autoimmune conditions through community, education, and compassion.
I have another question. How can I reach you?
▾
Email us at hello@beautybeyondbarriers.org or use our Contact Form.