Patients Letting Her Beauty Shine Through Makeup influencer Palisha never hides her scars. March 31, 2026 Twenty-one-year-old Palisha sits in front of her camera, makeup brush in hand, ring light glowing. She’s enjoying a newly found business opportunity, demonstrating makeup and cosplay tutorials. “They allow me to express my creativity and personality,” she says, smiling. Palisha’s journey to becoming a confident young woman was not an easy one. Born with a complex cleft condition, she needed extra care as a baby to ensure she was feeding properly and receiving the nutrition she needed to grow. Her parents found Operation Smile when she was 5 years old and set her on a path to receive multiple surgeries — nine in total. I felt blessed because each surgery, each physical change, the ability to eat properly and the ability to express myself better … brought a positive change, allowing me to continue moving forward.…