Each tattoo symbolizes an important chapter of her life or her defiance of societal pressures. Her journey wasn’t about seeking perfection—it was about claiming her independence and fully accepting who she is.

“I fit into the crowd way too well for my liking,” Amber said.

She told Insider that her appearance really bothered her when she turned 16, and that she was diagnosed with clinical depression.

“I struggled to leave the house because of low confidence,” she said, “I couldn’t look people in the eye; I couldn’t have any attention brought onto me, otherwise I would go bright red in the face.”

“I found myself to be very plain and boring looking,” she said of her natural appearance.

Speaking to Insider, she said, “I just couldn’t even bring myself to look into a mirror half the time.”

“It hit me like a ton of bricks, and man, it hit me hard,” she added. “The reality I was living in was shameful and embarrassing to me.”

Luke decided to take control of her appearance through tattoos. She said that when she was 16, she gave herself an at-home tattoo – which she now says she doesn’t recommend — beginning a nine-year-long transformation.

Facing Praise and Criticism

When Amber shared her transformation on social media, the reactions were mixed. Some applauded her bravery and individuality, while others criticized her choices, claiming she was more beautiful before. Despite the backlash, Amber stands firm in her beliefs. “I have never felt more at ease in my own skin,” she says, emphasizing the profound sense of peace her journey has brought her.