Prisha Bathia Tells All About Sturge-Weber Syndrome and Her Love For Fashion
- This article was updated in July 2023 to reflect magazine changes.
At SSEDITORIAL, one of our primary focuses as a team, set out by our Editor in Chief is our mental health. It is important to us to put these matters first. I previously spoke to Remi Afolabi, about life during Covid-19. Today I spoke to Prisha Bathia. All communications were conducted virtually to support social distancing and lockdown restrictions.
Prisha Bathia
SS:
How are your spirits Prisha?
PB:
At the moment, I think the lockdown has been hitting others a lot harder than myself. However, I’m fortunate that the third lockdown wasn’t as bad as the previous two. I was struggling at work mentally, but also with my birthmark. In the last three to four months, I’ve been much happier. I’ve been experimenting with my fashion more too. The one thing I’m looking forward to is uploading new fashion content too.
SS:
What does your current stay at home life look like right now?
PB:
My answer would be completely different if we had this conversation a month ago! I would’ve spoken about my 9-5 job, having a jam-packed week, and using the weekends to chill. Now, I’m taking time off work after finishing my apprenticeship to rest and reflect.
Wellness
SS:
What is one of your favourite ways to relax and take in a lot of positive energy to keep you going?
PB:
Filming content is an enjoyable experience because if I can help at least one person with any insecurities they may have, that is my aim. I love using social media to raise awareness for my birthmark. I also like to find people I can connect with for inspirational purposes. Growing up, I felt alone with my birthmark, so I’m trying to be the person I wish I had seen in the media when I was growing up.
SS:
Can you talk about your journey with your birthmark and how you’ve grown to appreciate your birthmark instead of comparing yourself to other girls in a negative way?
PB:
My condition is a rare neurological disorder called Sturge-Weber Syndrome. It affects the brain, eyes and the face. The blood vessels in my brain are a lot larger than others and caused me to have no vision in my left eye. I have glaucoma and retina detachment caused by high pressure on the eyes. Growing up, I felt alone, as I was missing school a lot.
Similarly, there was no one to watch online that I could look up to for confidence. When I went into Year 11, I wanted to raise awareness about Sturge-Weber Syndrome. Then, in Year 12, I discovered natural makeup such as highlighter, mascara, etc. In year 13, my confidence began to take on a world of its own.
SS:
Can you speak to us about your confidence now and where you see yourself going within the next few years?
PB:
In the past, I was timid. It stopped me from gaining many opportunities, as I didn’t know how I would cope with my appearance. Now, where I have grown within the past 18-21 months, I have learned to love and embrace my birthmark. On my Instagram, there are days when I wear makeup as I don’t feel confident, but there are also days in which I don’t wear makeup at all because I love myself. Creative thinking is something I embrace, and hopefully, within the next 2-5 years, beauty and fashion will be something I can bring together in a happy medium.
Beauty
SS:
What is one beauty product you are loving at the moment?
PB:
In terms of a skincare product, I love the glycerin and rose water toner from Boots. Last year I was stressed and anxious, and the toner helped my skin a lot. For makeup, I enjoy using a sleek highlighter when I don’t wear makeup. I mix my everyday moisturiser with highlighter drops or my palette for a glowy look. It works best for meetings or catchups with friends.
SS:
What beauty routines do you have at the moment that you would recommend?
PB:
I’m all about simplicity. If I have spots, I use a witch hazel blemish gel to remove my spots properly. If I want to get ready, I use mascara, brow pomade, sleek palettes, a bit of blusher and lipgloss. Other than that, I cleanse, tone and moisturise. That’s it!
“I’ve moved into natural makeup as of late, so I prefer to wear lipgloss compared to lipsticks etc.”
Lifestyle
SS:
What prompted you to start your YouTube Channel?
PB:
I wanted to find my niche of people with Sturge-Weber Syndrome to help them. Yes, we’re unique, and it should be celebrated. On the other side, I was told there was a possibility that I couldn’t achieve much or do what I wanted. At 19, I got my dream job at a top tech company. I want to educate people on chronic illnesses. My illness is hidden. No one will know why I have intense eye pains or terrible headaches. I really enjoy filming travel vlogs, as well as apprenticeships. My confidence has grown immensely, which I am thankful for.
SS:
Tell me how you communicate with your followers in educating them about all things confidence to Sturge-Weber Syndrome.
PB:
Since 13 years old, I’ve always been passionate about helping people. I announced a partnership with Sleek about embracing invisible differences about a month ago. It was a makeup campaign which has reached more people than I could’ve alone. People with invisible differences can and should be featured too.
The Immediate Future
SS:
Where do you see your future job prospects going?
PB:
I’m hoping to stay at the big media tech company I am with now for a while. Their vision matches my vision of putting people first and helping them with technology. I love challenges and getting to grips with new sets of skills. Travelling is something I foresee for myself too. Travelling within my current job role is also something I want to do.
SS:
Do you think you would move to another country and work from there?
PB:
My main goal in the long term is to be content and happy. Last year I experienced the opposite, so I know what environment is necessary for my happiness.
SS:
How are you going to balance your life as a content creator with your new job role.
PB:
It will be difficult, but I’m using this time I have off to better organise myself. I used to film many A-level content, but I’m no longer at school. My content will be more mature this time, so my audience can grow with me. I’m looking to post more content in the not-so-distant future.
The Distant Future
SS:
How do you come up with content ideas?
PB:
This is a tricky thing because I like to raise awareness. I sometimes struggle with whether to post about awareness or fashion. I’ve chosen to do both because I wish I had seen someone with a birthmark doing a fashion haul. It’s content I want to see, as it can kill two birds with one stone. People will see my birthmark and wonder what else there is to me.
SS:
I would agree. It’s all about what people are interested in. If you come across well as a content creator, your birthmark will naturally stand out. You’re very confident within yourself, and that would make me think you are a peculiar person who has piqued my interest. I can read into your story and develop a relationship with you, albeit virtually.
PB:
Exactly that. Building relationships and forming a community is something I want to do and grow. Not only with people who have Sturge-Weber Syndrome but also with people who watch my channel for fun?
SS:
Finally, are there any other accounts you have followed for inspiration during these difficult times?
PB:
Someone who I have recently fallen in love with is beautybyroxc. She is a minority makeup artist, and she is stunning. She’s very family orientated, and I love that because it shows a variety in her feed, making her appear more down to earth. Her makeup videos have helped me too.
SS:
What is one thing you hope to come out of lockdown feeling a sense of achievement over?
PB:
A sense of trusting myself. I’ve been working on this for a few years, but I doubt myself too much! With my time off, the goal is to go into my new job knowing that I can do a great job.
Check out Prisha’s feed here.
