Artistry with Intention

Makeup and Nails By Elysia Latherow

sonder -

noun

[son-der]/ ˈsɒn dər /

  1. the feeling one has on realizing that every other individual one sees has a life as full and real as one’s own, in which they are the central character and others, including oneself, have secondary or insignificant roles.

    In a state of sonder, each of us is at once a hero, a supporting cast member, and an extra in overlapping stories.

the Soul of Sonder Alternative

“One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone”
— Shannon L. Alder
Close-up of a woman with green hair, wearing glasses and multiple facial piercings, smiling slightly in front of a wooden background.
A young girl with blonde hair in pigtails, smiling and sitting in a stroller outside, holding a pink lollipop.
A young girl in a white dress holding a small dog with a collar, standing on a carpeted floor inside a room.

Sonder Alternative was born from a lifelong connection to creativity, transformation, and self-expression. My journey into the beauty industry has been deeply personal and far from traditional.

My name is Elysia. I grew up in Florida in a family where creativity, compassion, and self-expression were deeply encouraged. My parents ran commercial haunted houses, introducing me to cosmetics, special effects, and the transformative power of art from a young age. Creating has been one of the few constants throughout my life, and it has always been the way I make sense of the world and connect with others.

My path hasn’t always been an easy one. Chronic illness and mental health struggles have shaped the way I learn, work, and move through the world. In 2019, I began cosmetology school, but ultimately had to withdraw because of my health.

During the pandemic, I experienced several years of homelessness and extreme financial insecurity. Even through those challenges, I continued creating and working toward a career in beauty. In November 2025, I graduated from nail school and became a licensed nail technician.

These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for how powerful small acts of comfort, and care can be. Beauty isn’t just about how we look, it’s about reclaiming a little piece of yourself, feeling seen, or simply having a space where you can breathe and be yourself.

Above all else, I want Sonder Alternative to be a place where people feel safe, understood, and free to express themselves without judgment. Whether your style is weird, wild, whimsical, or somewhere in between, there is room for you here.

Welcome to Sonder Alternative.