Content Creator Şule Arapoğlu Yılmaz on Albinism and Redefining Beauty

There’s something quietly radical about showing up as yourself when the world keeps telling you that you don’t fit the mold. Şule Arapoğlu Yılmaz does exactly that. Through her content, she makes albinism visible in a space that rarely reflects it, and in doing so, she reminds us all that difference isn’t a flaw to be corrected. It’s a perspective worth celebrating. From mastering the perfect curl routine to hunting down the rarest concealer shade, Şule knows that beauty is never one-size-fits-all.

In a previous interview, you spoke about feeling excluded because of your appearance as a child. How did you find your way through that, and what did that journey teach you?

When I was little, I never thought of myself as different. But there were moments, more than a few, where I felt like I didn’t quite belong. As I grew up and started meeting more people, I began to connect the dots between how others reacted to me and the way I looked. What started as a child trying to make sense of the world slowly became a journey of genuine self-discovery.

I wouldn’t say I fought my way through it, though. I never tried to change myself, and even if I had wanted to, I couldn’t have. I was simply born this way. So instead of wasting energy on that, I poured everything into learning to love who I was and building the courage to go after the life I wanted. The more at peace I became with myself, the more people around me seemed to follow. They got used to seeing me.

That’s exactly what I’m trying to do on social media today. Visibility matters. The more we show up, the more space we create for every kind of difference to feel at home in the world.

Does shopping for cosmetics ever feel like a challenge? And what do you think it would actually take for the beauty industry to become truly inclusive?

It can be, yes. My skin is extremely sensitive, so I can’t just pick up any product off the shelf. I’m always on the hunt for clean formulas that won’t irritate my skin, and that search alone can take up a surprising amount of time. There’s also the reality of my skin tone being exceptionally fair. What looks like a soft nude in a catalogue can show up completely differently on me.

For the industry to move toward real inclusivity, it needs to move beyond the handful of “universal” shades that have always dominated the shelves. True diversity means a wide, thoughtful color range that actually reflects the full spectrum of human skin, paired with formulas that consider every type of sensitivity. Inclusivity is being able to walk into any store and find something made for you, without having to search for it.

 

Sun protection is a whole different conversation when you have albinism. How do you approach it in your daily life, and are there products you truly swear by?

For me, sunscreen isn’t optional. It’s a daily essential, no matter the season, no matter the weather. My skin is extremely sensitive to sun exposure, so even with the highest SPF I can’t spend hours outside in direct sunlight. When I’m on vacation in the summer, I usually spend most of my time under an umbrella. I keep it to no more than twenty minutes in the sun at a time, and I reapply sunscreen the moment I get out of the water, every single time.

Some of the formulas I trust the most are Avène Sun Very High Protection SPF 50+ Cream, Mustela High Protection Sun Lotion SPF 50+, and Solante Pigmenta SPF 50+ Sun Care Lotion. These have earned their permanent place in my routine.

 

The eye looks you create are bold, joyful, and completely your own. What are you excited to experiment with these days?

Color is my playground. With skin as fair as mine, doing makeup feels like painting on a blank canvas, and I love every second of it. Right now, I’m really drawn to the idea of playful, graphic looks with a polka dot element. I’d also love to experiment more with colored mascaras. I have a feeling they’d work beautifully with my coloring. No matter the look, concealer, blush, and highlighter are non-negotiable for me.

Your blonde curls are practically part of your signature look. What does your hair care routine actually look like?

It took me a long time to figure out what actually worked for my curls. The most important thing I’ve learned is that my hair needs to be completely soaked when I’m styling it. If it’s even slightly dry after my shower, I wet it all over again.

From there, I detangle and style it with a curl-friendly comb, then apply a generous amount of mousse, scrunching upward to really define each curl. Some people layer mousse over a leave-in conditioner, but I prefer the lighter feel of just mousse on its own. I always diffuse with my head flipped upside down for that extra volume, and I finish with a hair oil to smooth everything and keep the curls soft.

Right now, my favorites are Uni Baby Easy Detangling Spray, Urban Care Twisted Curls Hibiscus and Shea Butter Mousse, Urban Care Shake N Repair Mousse, and either the Elseve Extraordinary Oil Beautifying Cream or the Hair Care Oil, depending on what my hair needs that day.

 

Are there any beauty rituals or tips you inherited from the women in your family?

My mom was the one who introduced me to satin and silk pillowcases. The smooth surface prevents friction, which means less frizz, less puffiness, and curls that actually survive the night. I wake up with my shape still intact and my curls still defined. It sounds so simple, but it really works.

Your “Lightest Shade?” video series is such a valuable resource. Finding a concealer that actually matches extremely fair skin is a real struggle. Which products have truly won you over?

That series has been such a rewarding project, because it led me to products I might never have discovered otherwise. For those with very fair skin like mine, here’s where I’ve landed: The Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Concealer in 01P is absolutely my first pick. The Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer in shade 1 has a formula I’m completely in love with. And the NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Serum Concealer in 01 Fair is another favorite for how naturally it sits on the skin.

For foundation, two products have earned a perfect score from me. The Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation in 0N1 Alabaster and the MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Matte Foundation in NC5 both delivered exactly what I was looking for in terms of shade, finish, and staying power.

 

What are some self-care rituals you always come back to?

Skincare and body care are a huge part of my self-care routine. I moisturize my skin throughout the day, not just once, and I believe that drinking enough water is one of the most underrated skincare habits out there. It shows on your skin.

I also love working with different acids in my routine. Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and azelaic acid all have a place in my regimen, but I’m very intentional about how I use them. Layering AHAs and BHAs on top of each other can be too much for the skin barrier, so I spread them across different days or different times of day, giving my skin room to rest.

Whose aesthetic or creative approach inspires you most?

Whenever I’m looking for skincare or makeup recommendations, or if I’m curious about a new product, I usually check Yağmur Vardar first. I really trust her perspective. I’m also a big fan of Şeyda Erdoğan. Her creativity and the way she pulls her audience into her world feel refreshing at a time when so much content looks the same. And Ece Dinç’s energy is simply contagious. Since she also has fair skin, I find her product choices and color picks especially relatable.

 

Who are your favorite people and platforms to follow on social media?

I’m most drawn to people who use social media as more than just a content platform. The ones who are curious, constantly developing themselves through their hobbies and careers, and who let you see the full picture of who they are. I really enjoy following Deniz Esensu, Kardelen Yıldırım, and Gamze Şakar.

What does beauty mean to you?

To me, beauty means individuality. I find people even more beautiful when they embrace the things that make them different.

What’s your favorite flaw?

The word “flaw” implies something missing, something that needs to be fixed. But I think being human is precisely that. We are the sum of our imperfections. Actually, we are those imperfections. What separates us from machines is exactly that beautiful inability to be perfect. The parts of me that don’t fit neatly into any category are the parts that feel most like me. So if I had to choose a favorite flaw, it would be the freedom that comes with accepting myself exactly as I am.