This Teen Retook His Senior Yearbook Photo to Make His Highlighter Pop More—and We’re So Here For It

School photo day: After what feels like light years since we were in high school, those three little words strung together are still enough to fill even the most photogenic among us with dread. Blink or sneeze at just the wrong second and you were SOL until the next year.

But welcome to 2016, to a time where we all now know our good sides, the importance of lighting, and have heroes like 17-year-old James Charles to celebrate. If you're not already one of his hundreds of thousands followers, you've probably seen his yearbook photo, which went viral since he posted it this earlier week, racking up over 33,000 retweets and 84,000 likes on Twitter within just a day.

The mesmerizing picture looks way more professional than any yearbook photo you’ve seen, thanks to James’ on-point highlighter—oh yeah, and the professional lighting he brought in himself. “So I retook my senior photos and brought my ring light with me so my highlight would be poppin,” Charles tweeted along with the photo—making all of us who had to take senior pics before selfies were a thing weep with jealously.

Surprisingly, for someone who’s made an online career out of makeup artistry and tutorials, photo day was only the second time Charles wore makeup to school. “When I wore it the first time, it really wasn't any different,” he told us via email, on a bus back home to Bethlehem, NY from Philly. “I got a lot of compliments, which was awesome and I felt confident, but I always feel confident. I'm comfortable in my own skin, which I feel is important. I don't need makeup to feel beautiful.”

What's more than his seriously lit highlighter, Charles is reminding the world—especially his male peers—that something as often trivialized as makeup has the power to break down cultural barriers. It’s a message that resonates louder than ever today, as gender norms become increasingly disintegrated.

We caught up with the fast-rising beauty vlogger to talk about what it takes to create a viral yearbook photo, how he got started as an artist, and how the cultural attitude toward men in makeup is changing. Read on!

Glamour: What is your earliest makeup memory?

James Charles: I used to do hair before I did makeup. A little over a year ago, I was doing one of my good friend’s hair and she was late to her appointment at Sephora, so she asked me to do her makeup. I warned her and told her she might look awful and, if so, I wasn't taking the blame—but it actually turned out really beautiful!

Glamour: When did you start wearing makeup regularly?

JC: I started doing makeup on myself a few weeks after I practiced on my friends to learn the basics. I saw other guys doing it and have always been a fan of RuPaul's Drag Race. I talked to another male MUA [makeup artist] who said I was talented and should start posting looks, so I did. I never expected it to escalate this quickly.

I actually don't wear makeup regularly—in fact, I barely do at all! I love makeup artistry, and creating cool and fun looks, but I usually only do makeup to record videos and take my Instagram photos, or when I go to special events. I'm way too lazy and sleep deprived to wake up every morning and do full glam. Major props to people who can do that though.

Glamour: How supportive have your peers and parents been?

JC: Everyone has been extremely supportive and kind. At first it was a rocky road with my parents because they didn't really understand it. There were a lot of fights, but once I was able to explain to them that it was a form of creative expression—and once I actually started to gain success—they began to realize I was taking it seriously and could actually make a career out of it. Now they're my No. 1 fans.

Glamour: How long have you been wearing makeup to school?

JC: I've only worn makeup to school once: on the last day of school of my junior year. I brought all my supplies with me and did an entire face in home room in less than 30 minutes, because at the time my parents didn't feel comfortable with me wearing it out. And like I said, way too lazy to get up!

Glamour: Why did you decide to wear makeup in your yearbook photos?

JC: I wanted to wear makeup for my photo because my makeup career is a huge part of me. The senior yearbook is a pretty big deal—it's our last one ever—so I wanted my photo to be something that my friends and I would remember. And, also something to post on my Instagram page (lol). Most of my school and administrators know about my passion and online following, so I really wanted that part of me represented in my photo.

Glamour: Was there any pushback from the photographer when you brought in your own lighting equipment?

JC: Not at all. I emailed them [Carlyn Studios] and explained how I wasn't happy with the lighting in the first photo and asked if they'd let me bring my ring light for retakes. I think they knew I was going to be a difficult one—the first time around the photographer told me I was the only student to ever ask him to change poses. That was weird to me because I've done shoots before so I'm very used to knowing my angles and asking to switch. Photographers are there to make you look the best you possibly can, so I was really thankful that they allowed me to redo mine.

Glamour: What was your reaction when your story went viral?

JC: I was giddy all day yesterday when I saw the tweet and Instagram picture were both going viral. I expected it to do maybe a little better than [my] average post but this was completely unexpected.

Glamour: How did you process Zendaya voicing her support for you?

JC: Excessive flailing and screaming. I love Zendaya and am a huge fan of hers. She has actually noticed my makeup work before so it was SO rad to have her notice me again. She's so lovely and talented. And stunning. Duh.

Glamour: Who do you look to for makeup inspiration?

JC: My absolute favorites are Jaclyn Hill, NikkieTutorials, and Tati Westbrook. They are all extremely successful influencers and I hope to be alongside them one day.

Glamour: Judging by your senior photos, your skills go way beyond a casual makeup user—do others see you as an expert?

JC: Haha, yes. I chose to do simple makeup for my senior photo, but on my Instagram page my looks range from full glam to avant garde, glowing runway looks. I love to step outside of the box and challenge myself with new styles and concepts. I've been doing it for a year or so now so I certainly wouldn't consider myself an expert but I would say practice makes...pretty good.

Glamour: Since you started wearing makeup, have you seen a change in the cultural attitude toward men in makeup?

JC: I definitely have seen a rise in men in makeup, but I wouldn't attribute that to myself. There are a lot of really popular guys in makeup right now. I think in general, men in makeup are becoming more widely accepted and boys who want to experiment are more likely to because they see other boys being confident and rocking it.

Glamour: Makeup is often dismissed as trivial, but do you think it has the power to tell important stories?

JC: I think so for sure! For many people, myself included, makeup is a form of artistic expression, it's a lot more than just some powders and creams to be "pretty."

Glamour: Now that your photos are going viral, what do you want others to learn from it?

JC: I just want others to know to be yourself and never be afraid of what people may think.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Source: http://www.glamour.com/story/james-charles-viral-yearbook-photo-highlighter