I love makeup. I love buying makeup, I love wearing makeup, I love doing makeup, it's all the same to me. But for whatever reason, when I want to tweet openly about a new product I buy there's always someone (usually a guy) in my mentions giving me a five-page, MLA format essay as to why I don't need makeup. Here's the thing...

First off, I know I don't need makeup. Although I love the flawless complexion, on fleek eyebrows, long lashes and beautiful pinky nude lips my makeup gives me, I don't wear it every day. I take 17 units, work and I am involved in a multitude of campus activities. Do you think I have the time to sit in front of my mirror for half and hour every morning and give my face the proper beating it deserves every day? No. I'm cute regardless if I haven't gotten my eyebrows done in a month and a half. Regardless if I have a pimple the size of Jamaica in between my eyebrows. But when I have the time, or just feel like it honestly, I will take all the time it takes to create art (aka my makeup look of the day). The thing is, people (mostly men but women included) think that the amount of makeup on my face correlates directly to the amount of self-confidence I have. Hate to burst your bubble, but that's wildly incorrect. Everyone has something they don't like about themselves and wish they could fix. But it doesn't mean they hate themselves in general.

Secondly, who are you to tell me what I don't need? Look, I know better than anyone else that if I have $20 in my bank account, I will still risk an overdraft fee and buy that liquid lipstick that I want. Unless you're telling me that I don't need makeup because of my current financial situation (which is none of your business anyways) then whatever you are about to say holds zero relevance to me. I have no reason to look to other people for validation in the way I look, especially if you're going to say something negative. I don't wear makeup to look good for anyone else besides me. I don't spend all this money for some random on Twitter to tell me that I look good, I do it for me.

Makeup is something I use to get away, not a political statement or a cry for help. Sitting in front of a mirror and applying my makeup is so relaxing and almost cathartic. There are very few things that bring me the same amount of joy as finally mastering a new technique, finding a beautiful new product, or watching myself transform into a new, even more, beautiful being.

So the next time you want to shame me, or anyone else for wearing makeup, stop and take a minute to think as to why. It's probably a lot more than you think.