Young woman with Down syndrome wows mom by doing her own makeup: 'She should do a tutorial'

Nothing is better than seeing someone progress toward independence. That’s exactly what thousands of people witnessed in a recent TikTok video by Jayne, who has Down syndrome and goes by @a_little_extra_jay. In the clip, Jayne comes downstairs ready for her dance company concert, her hair already styled in a sleek ponytail and her makeup looking flawless. She’s wearing a white jacket and grey sweatpants.

Behind the camera, her mother is just as overwhelmed and surprised.  She had planned to help Jayne get ready, but Jayne had done it all herself. The caption says it all, “I was planning to help her do her makeup and hair for her dance company concert that night, but she came downstairs and it was all done! Always showing me just how independent and capable she is!” Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. It can affect learning, development, and physical growth, but every individual with Down syndrome has their own strengths and personality. 

The responses from TikTok viewers just went on to add more depth. One user, @Spam, noticed the practical detail, writing,  “No foundation on the white jacket is the most impressive part. For others, Jayne’s skills were simply inspiring; @J.Weaks commented, “She’s beautiful and so talented!” and @Shannon, admitting her own struggles, said, “Girly, I'm watching tutorials and still can't do my makeup this good. Slay it.”

The encouragement didn’t stop there. @morgsmom7 wrote, “Beautiful! She should do a tutorial,” appreciating her skills and wondering about how Jayne learned her skills. Parents also connected to the story, @Laura.Cole shared, “She looks so beautiful! How did she learn to do her own makeup? My daughter is 14 and I’ve been trying to show her but she just wants me to do it for her,” showing that Jayne’s journey inspires not only admiration, but real questions about teaching independence. Finally, @Aye vera observed, “This is the first time I’m seeing red lipstick fit somebody. I usually don’t like it, but it looks perfect on her,” recognizing how well Jayne expressed her own style.

Many children with Down syndrome often grow up to lead fulfilling and independent lives, especially when they benefit from early intervention, supportive education, and strong encouragement from family and community. Music and dance frequently play a key role in their growth, aiding in the development of motor skills, emotional expression, and social interaction.

That same spirit of independence and community support was seen in Iowa, where Annie Schlarmann, a junior at Monticello High School who also has Down syndrome, was preparing for her prom night. The story was featured in The Daily Net. Annie had hoped to be asked to prom like everyone else, but when no one did, she planned to attend alone. Her close friends, however, had other ideas. They came together to make sure she wouldn’t face the evening by herself, accompanying her, celebrating her, and turning what could’ve been a lonely night into one filled with laughter, dancing, and memories.

You can follow @a_little_extra_jay on TikTok to see her journey!.