I love makeup. I’m happy to get up 20 minutes earlier in the morning to create what I believe is art on my face. The excitement I feel when I discover a new lipstick or eye shadow palette is comparable to a 5 year old’s on Christmas day. While I have found that there are girls who love makeup as much as I do, there are several misconceptions about makeup and what actually goes into it. Here I list 10 misconceptions about makeup so you’ll never be in the dark again.

1. All Mascara is created equal.

Mascara is, at best, unknown to the casual makeup user. Finding the best mascara for your lashes can be the most daunting task, especially when you use drugstore mascara. Without trying something out, you take it home, get it out of the box, and then it doesn't do anything you want it to do. $8 down the drain. There are many different kinds of mascaras from hourglass wands to curling mascara to volumizing mascara to tubing mascaras! The possibilities are endless, and trying different kinds are the only way to find your ride or die!

2. Any kind of blush looks good on anyone.

There are so many blushes out there for a reason people! A ballerina pink blush won't look good on someone with beautiful deep colored skin and a cherry red one will look silly on someone as pale as me. There are also several undertones which have to be considered as well: an orangey blush will wash out someone with a cool undertone and a purple toned blush will make a warm toned person look gray. While what you choose to wear is your choice, these are my words of wisdom.

3. There's no difference between liquid lipstick and regular lipstick.

There are so many differences. While they both go on your lips and come in different finishes, they are pretty far from each other as products. A liquid lipstick (my favorite kind) has a sort of velvety feel and will most likely last you all day. The most common types are matte and kiss proof, thought it is encouraged to wear a lip balm underneath because they are drying! A lipstick more often has a satin finish and will need to be reapplied twice or more during the day The formula is often more creamy and moisturizing. Your preference often has to do with your comfort level with dryness and the effort you want to put in during the day.

4. Contouring is easy.

Wrong wrong wrong. A good contour takes a steady hand, a damp beauty blender, cool toned powder or cream, and faith. If your contour actually makes you look like you have fierce cheekbones, you have succeeded; praise the makeup gods.

5. Eye shadow palettes aren't worth the money.

Think of it this way: an eye shadow palette is an investment. When you get the perfect one, you'll hit pan on a lot of the best shades, and you won't be able to imagine your life without it. My personal ride or die is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette. Buttery shadows, pigmented mattes AND shimmers; a whole range of different looks come out of this palette. I use mine almost everyday and have for about three months, in which case, yes it was worth $46.

6. Highlight is unimportant.

My day is incomplete without my highlight. I feel naked without a dash of shiny on the tops of my cheekbones and the tip of my nose. Highlight is also the BEST makeup product. I mean, who doesn't like a good glow?

7. Drugstore isn't as good as High End.

This is not always true. I will forever use drugstore mascaras because I haven't found one from the High End department that quite measures up to Maybelline’s Lash Sensational. While I would stay at the High End side for eye shadows, almost everything that is good from High End brands can be duped with good drugstore products. Plus for beauty babes on a budget, it’s the perfect way to get what you need without breaking the bank.

8. It’s okay to sleep in makeup for just one night.

DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. Washing your makeup off at night is crucial to the health of your skin. Makeup staying on while your face is still and sitting on fabric all night makes it more susceptible to clogging your pores and creating all of your face problems. Even if you don't have a great skin care routine, coconut oil is the best eye makeup remover and a normal acne cleanser from the grocery store works just fine.

9. Makeup makes you unauthentic.

This couldn't be farther from the truth. Makeup is and can be an extension of your self expression; you can transform yourself into exactly how you feel on the inside with different colors and textures. You can be yourself with and without makeup.

10. Makeup is just for girls.

Makeup is for everyone! There is this stigma behind it in that it's only feminine, why can't boys do it too? You can cover up that skin place you don't like, you can fix up your eyebrows, you can contour your jawline, it doesn't have to be noticeable! As Covergirl has just introduced its first Coverboy, James Charles, I found it fitting to say this, and that if you want to do it, go for it! Makeup is self expression and makeup is art!