Makeup and Studying: UW-Milwaukee Student Kayla Weyant

On the corner of Oakland Ave and Newport Ave in the heart of Milwaukee’s upper east side lies an apartment complex, in which reside UW-Milwaukee senior Kayla Weyant and her ample amount of makeup.

From mascaras, to eyeliners, lipsticks, brushes, concealers and foundation, Weyant has it all and more in case she runs out.

“It started when I would sneak my moms makeup into the fifth grade and I would try to put on eyeliner, come to find out it was an eyebrow pencil,” Weyant said.

Although Weyant owns a large quantity of makeup, she never seems to overdo it. Her oval-shaped face, which is uplifted by her high cheekbones and thin lips have brought her attention in looking like the royal Kate Middleton. Similar to the saying like mother like daughter, Kayla got her eye for makeup and skin care products from her mother, Lori Weyant. Her mother is a professional esthetician, skin care professional, and owns her own esthetic business, Barewaxx, in Green Bay, WI. Although some women perceive doing makeup as a daily chore, to Weyant it’s a hobby.

“I just like how it (makeup) makes me feel,” Weyant said. “Everyone wears makeup though, so it’s not like when I wear makeup I’m covering everything up.”

After hearing Weyant’s passion for makeup one would be surprised to hear that she’s not pursuing a career in cosmetology. Instead, she’s currently studying occupational therapy, the assistance in developing and recovering physical skills of a person with a cognitive or mental disorder.

“I don’t want to be in a career where most of the time when you do something to someone’s hair they cry after,” Weyant said. “I’d rather be in a career, like occupational therapy, where you’re consistently making progress, you’re never going to upset someone.”

Weyant will complete her final undergraduate year at UW-Milwaukee this spring and will then have to pursue graduate school for another two and a half years. She is the first person in her family to attend college, which is an honor on her behalf as she sets the path for her two younger brothers, Justin, 18, and Cade, 11. Having watched Weyant’s success in school and opportunities arise, her brother Justin has decided to attend a technical college in Green Bay as well.

However, like most college students, Weyant deals with the same struggles of balancing school, work and finances, but continues to stay optimistic by remembering a certain saying her mom once told her.

“You’ll have bad days, bad months and bad years, but that doesn’t mean you’ll live a bad life,” Weyant said. “There is always light at the end of the tunnel.”