As an individual who has been known to wear more makeup than the average makeup enthusiast, you notice how some of your daily habits change in order to your adapt to your everyday routine as well as how the rest of the world views you. I have endured a variety of looks from various people because of new hobbies in relation to my makeup collection and getting ready techniques due to this love for cosmetics.
People look at you differently when you don't wear makeup. I have noticed a difference in how I am treated and spoken because of what my makeup looks like on a given day, especially with men. When wearing a more bold or sultry makeup look I receive more attention from the opposite gender than I would if I were wearing a natural look, as well as receive more compliments from other women. I am no sociology major but I would say this is a positive sanction for normative behavior for my gender. I am often given more respect when wearing a smokey eye or a red lip because I appear to be more put together than a bare faced individual would. This encourages the use of makeup on the part of most women who receive this sort of attention or heightened respect, although I myself try not to let other's opinions sway how I would like to look, I think many women do without completely recognizing that they do so.
In addition to the amount I wear on a regular basis, I think that although positive sanctions may be given from some individuals, people also disagree and judge how much makeup I wear on a daily basis. I do not wear fake eyelashes, contour my face or wear a smokey eye every day. I typically go for a semi-flawless base with a light blush, neutral lip and natural shadows. But even to this extent on a daily basis I am often met with elders telling me to wear less makeup and enjoy my natural beauty. I think that making the most of my natural beauty is to enhance and highlight my natural features that I find to be my favorite. Wearing makeup does cover parts of my face to some degree, but it also has the ability to enhance further the natural features I was born with that truly set me apart from everyone else.
Makeup can feel very empowering and can help aid confidence issues, however it comes at a cost. The stuff is rather expensive. Even some of the drugstore options that have a lower price point, they are often of a lower quality in terms of coverage, pigmentation and consistency as well as run the risk of being made up of harsh chemicals. Not that all drugstore products are bad, I love drugstore products, but there is an abundance of competition in the cosmetics market which can lead to companies attempting to cut costs which may result in use of poor chemicals. In my experience I use drugstore products that I tend to go through quickly such as foundation, setting powder, lip products and mascara because I will be replacing those products more quickly than I would other parts of my makeup collection. I have also checked with my dermatologist what brands and lines of drugstore products are safe for my skin type. As far as high end makeup goes, I don't mind splurging on products like eyeshadows and blushers because those products will not be used up as quickly and will often have to use less of them by purchasing a brand that has a better reputation for better pigmentation.
Buying new products makes me, and I would imagine most beauty enthusiasts, very happy and excited. Whenever I find a new product I get all giddy inside and I can't wait to go home and test it out with the rest of my collection. Even if it's just a small lippy, nail polish or fluffy new brush, it may be your new favorite!
I have slowly become obsessed with watching makeup tutorials in search for inspiration for new looks, new products or new ways to use old products, for example, try using a lipstick as a blush. Dot a few marks on your cheeks and blend out with your fingers. It may just be the best complement on your cheeks that you weren't crazy about on your lips and it will hold the staying power of a cream blush. Makeup reviews can also help you decide what makeup would be a wiser investment for you personally in concerns of coverage, skin type, price, color etc. Which is beneficial so you have an idea of what to look for when you enter a store instead of being overwhelmed.
As far as why I wear makeup. I started wearing it when I was 11 or 12 because my acne began acting up and I had access to makeup due to dance competitions. Once I became insecure around the time I entered junior high school, I felt that that people were looking at my imperfections versus myself. Naturally when looking back at pictures of myself in 7th grade I regret absolutely everything I attempted, but at the time, makeup allowed for me to feel comfortable enough to live through junior high with relative enjoyment.
Now, creating a makeup look no matter how natural takes time and effort out of my day. Some women choose to create more elaborate looks than others, but there is always some time involved. Instead of dreading this excess time being spent on my face when it could be spent in bed, I enjoy waking up almost every morning and spending time on myself and taking pride in my appearance. Some people choose to spend this time coloring, going for a walk, meditating, or watching their favorite Netflix series. I choose to have my "me time" as part of my getting ready routine.
One of my favorite aspects of makeup is that your look can change as much as you do. One day you might feel some heavy liner, a cat eye, a smokey eye, natural eye, a strobing highlighted look, or contouring. And another day you may be happy with BB cream and clear mascara. One may match a chic, night out look and another may match a sweatshirt and yoga pants. Whatever you feel that day, your makeup look is yours. You can create whatever you want on a given day which is in itself freedom of expression. As trends come and go, you can wear whatever you choose or lack there of.
