Raise your hand if you have ever been personally victimized by Sephora and its ability to drain your bank account. [I raise my hand.]

Over the past couple of years I have developed a serious addiction to shopping for makeup. Having stores like Sephora do not help my case one bit. So, here's a letter to one of my favorite stores, Sephora, because a store that receives most of my paycheck deserves some recognition.

When asked to accompany a friend or family member to the mall, I subconsciously know this shopping trip will include a Sephora visit. Many people may wonder why I have such an attachment to a beauty store, so here are the many reasons why I can't shake my Sephora addiction.

1. An immediate overwhelming feeling of excitement as you enter the store.

2. So many options, so little money. Talk about a hard decision.

3. But having options isn't always too bad. Think about it...having options means you'll never run out of makeup to dab your brushes into.

4. Testers for days. You could spend hours upon hours going around the store simply testing every product to see which ones you like most. Fair warning: you may end up liking every product.

5. Reward programs are for winners and we, Sephora lovers, are winners. The reward program only further feeds into our Sephora addiction. Every time you buy a product, you accumulate points, which you can then redeem for a "free" gift.

6. Employees who are always eager to help and are just as obsessed with makeup as you are make your visit unforgettable. There has never been an instance where I went to Sephora and an employee didn't ask me if I needed a basket or help with any of the products. If you ever have a question about a product, they are sure to have an answer.

7. Oh Sephora, let me express my deepest gratitude for bringing the Sephora + Pantone Color IQ into my life. Having a perfect foundation match for my skin color has allowed me to have flawless makeup.

8. Although Sephora provides we makeup enthusiasts with an array of high-end makeup, it is nice to have the Sephora brand to lean on when you don't have $40 plus lying around.

9. "Is it your birthday month?" "Why yes, yes, it is. I'll take my free gift now." Signing up for the Beauty Insider rewards card with Sephora is the best thing you could possibly do because when your birthday month comes around...they spoil you with a free gift. An actual free gift this time!

10. Becoming a VIP Rogue (i.e. spending practically all of your money at Sephora that they basically HAVE to give you a special status) has one of the coolest perks. Free makeup consultations. If this isn't enough motivation to rack up your Beauty Insider points, I don't know what it is.

11. Sephora is an oasis for all us makeup and beauty-crazed individuals. Shopping here is ideal because there are no other distractions like clothes or groceries. Everything beauty related is dumped in one place. Can it get any better?

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I'm sure that by the end of this open letter, you're itching for a Sephora visit and you know what I have to say to that? GO! There's no crime in window shopping and trying on a dozen or so testers.