Since I was 14 years old, I have worn makeup. Granted, it didn't look that great when I was that young, but I did wear it and I did try many different styles as I got older. I wore winged liner in 7th grade before others did, I got made fun of for it (and now look how popular it is...hmph!), I tried different colors of eyeshadow that were not always flattering, and I struggled with the task of matching my foundation to my actual skin color. However, at 21 years old, I now know almost everything there is to know about makeup, and I have also dealt with backlash from males and females alike about why makeup is a waste of time, not important, unflattering, etc.
Most females don't apply highlighter, concealer, foundation, blush, do their eyebrows, apply lipstick and mascara, or draw on their eyeliner, for you. Most females get ready every day because applying makeup and doing their hair up nicely makes them feel empowered and good about themselves. I personally have never woken up and wondered just how I could best appeal to my peers aesthetic preferences - I've always just gotten ready and done whatever I wanted with my makeup because it's what I wanted to do. What I felt I wanted to look like.
This generation has taken applying makeup to a whole new level. You can't get on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr anymore, without seeing someone praising the highlight of a someone's face, or the shade of a beautiful matte lipstick. Even men have gotten into this - I have seen a number of males do incredible makeup routines on Youtube, and some of them look just as good if not better than handful of females. It's insane.
Makeup is a form of art. There is a reason that there is a profession with the title, Makeup Artist. The face is a canvas. The possibilities are endless. I spend a lot of money on eyeshadow pallets and matte lipsticks, and I receive so many compliments because of the art that I choose to display on my own face. I adore being able to transform myself into a different version of me, everyday.
Loving makeup does not make you fake. It does not mean that you are insecure or don't like how you look naturally. It does not make you any less naturally beautiful than someone who doesn't wear makeup. I used to get upset when I would hear girls brag about the fact that they were "all natural," or thought makeup was fake. It genuinely made me feel bad about myself - as if I was lying to the world about my true identity. I wish that everyone would realize that it does not matter how much or how little you wear - the person inside is what matters.
Everyone has their preferences. Some girls like less, some girls like more. You shouldn't feel obligated to do either unless you truly want to. Makeup has the ability to make people feel 10x better about themselves and I don't think that is anything that anyone should be ashamed of. I have mastered the art of cat liner. I know all of the right places to apply highlighter and contour powder. I understand how lip liner works. I know when too much is too much for me. And there is nothing that anyone else can say to make me change how I look.
Do what you want. Wear what you want. Be who you want. At the end of the day, it is you looking in that mirror.
You should be 100 percent pleased with your reflection.
