They were born with learning disabilities in maths and English and came out of the mainstream school system to be privately taught. And although they had few friends they always had each other and together they are beginning to soar.

Hollyanne and Candace Shirley are 17-year-old twins who are aspiring make-up artists.

They have mingled with the likes of supermodels Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss and world-famous photographer Steven Meisel.

And they have studied in the field of high fashion make-up, in New York, with one of the city's best, Scott Andrew -- who is the manager of Alcone, a company that sells make-up for theatre, television, print and runway.

After all, their dream is to work in New York painting the faces of runway models and working with a major magazine.

They have made great strides despite their learning disabilities, which caused them to come out of Mount St. Agnes at the age of nine and be taught at home up until last year.

"We never felt like we were different from everyone else,'' the girls said, and the only downside of not being in school was the fact that we were not a part of our peers,'' Candace added.

"We have always been individuals so when we were in school we still felt as though we were on the outside,'' Candace said.

Hollyanne added: "We just couldn't keep up with maths and English but we excelled in reading and history. The problem that we had was connected with Attention Deficit Disorder, sitting in a class was very difficult and very stressful.'' The girls added that teachers at MSA tried to be very supportive but due to overcrowding in classrooms they could not give them individual attention.

"We do not feel like we have missed out at all,'' Hollyanne said. Candace added: "If anything, we feel as though we have learned more.'' They have completed all their high school courses but neither one of them has any intention of going to college, as they feel they would learn more with hands-on experience.

Their dreams started to take shape two years ago when Hollyanne won a trip to New York through the bicentennial art contest. "Candace and my mom (Susan Shirley) accompanied me to New York where I later contacted Scott Andrew. He volunteered to give me make-up lessons.

"I was always going into costume design but then I changed my mind and decided on high fashion make-up after we worked at the Summerstock Theatre in Hampton, New Hampshire.'' Candace added: "I wanted to go into acting and stage make-up but I also changed my mind and wanted to do high fashion make-up after watching my sister. It can also be used in theatre.

The girls were taught all the aspects of fashion make-up, and in the process made friends with several New York make-up artists.

But now that they are back home, they are looking to work on anyone and everyone from brides and their wedding parties to actors and actresses in plays and theatre productions.

"We have already done work for Two Island Production, which put on Broadway In Bermuda, and Black Box Productions' Patricia Pogson asked us to do the make-up for her Hallowe'en show,'' Hollyanne said.

Candace added that they were really excited as this was their fourth paying job as make-up artists.

"We really want to make a business out of this and we are going to take one day at a time,'' Candace said, "We'd like to work in Bermuda and gain some experience.'' "We are starting a home service for brides and their wedding parties, and we also offer our services for special occasions along with specialised make-up services,'' Hollyanne said.

When they are not painting faces and waiting for that big make-up break Candace does theatre, collects autographs and likes to model while Hollyanne does theatre and writes poems and plays.

Asked who has been most significant in their life the girls both say their mother.

"We are grateful that our mom has exposed us to so much,'' Candace said. And their mom, who was sitting nearby, said: "I feel that their dreams are coming true -- for them to do what they love -- and that is what I wanted for them.

"They are conscientious and hard-working with everything they do.''