As someone who has always tried to break the mold of certain female stereotypes, I have increasingly strayed away from things that are viewed as traditionally “girly”. But an area of my life that has always remained rather “feminine” is my morning face routine. I wake up, wash my face, moisturize, put on foundation, concealer, bronzer, contour, highlighter, translucent powder, eyebrow pencil, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and then clean up all the potentially shaky lines with concealer just as my beloved beauty youtuber James Charles taught me. After this ~quick~ routine, I’m on my merry little way looking “snatched” as it were. You might be thinking, “Wow, why would you do all that? Couldn’t you take that time and do something more worthwhile with it?” Maybe, but this is something I have chosen to devote my time to, and honestly, I’m so glad I did.

My makeup routine has undergone a significant transformation in the past year. I was never a huge makeup wearer in highschool or even the beginning of college, and would only use a lot of makeup for a performance because I was a dancer. So I mostly associated makeup as something that you did for shows or a thing that “preppy” girls used. Now, I have always been a BIG Feminist (my Mom did not let me watch Cinderella until I could say patriarchal fantasy and know what it meant). But that idea is fraught with many stereotypes about women that were so deeply enculturated, I wasn’t even aware they were a part of my paradigm. Highschool Me was not the only one who thought this though, in fact there are still many assumptions made about women who wear makeup.

One of the most common stereotypes is that women who wear makeup are vain, or even the opposite of this, insecure. Yes, I am sure that some women who wear makeup are vain and some are insecure, but in my experience, I have taken to wearing makeup because it can make me feel powerful. Similar to a “power outfit”, when I have my makeup done perfectly, I really feel like I am projecting an image and vibe that is forceful and demanding, and yes it does make me feel attractive. Another stereotype is that women only put on makeup to attract other men, or even just because society tells them to. If you are only wearing makeup because you feel like you have to, I encourage you to re-evaluate this choice, here’s why:

The world of beauty is becoming more creative and inclusive every day, so makeup really is not just for women anymore. The truth is anyone can wear makeup because it is a very personal form of self expression. My favorite beauty guru is a BOY. People who wear makeup are not all trying to impress a man because a) the world doesn’t revolve around men and b) we aren’t all into men romantically. Furthermore, can you really look at a woman and question her autonomy by telling her she is only wearing makeup because for ages she has been told to do so? Acknowledge the idea that she might just chose to wear something because she likes the way it looks on her. Thinking that women who do something traditionally feminine are only doing it because they have to, really degrades your notion of women and their ability to think freely.

I don’t do makeup because I must, or can’t feel pretty without it. I do it because it is a time where I can focus on something that is strictly for me. Between school, work, and my various other social requirements, sometimes I feel that my body is merely a mechanism to get my brain where it needs to go. Being able to take the time to intentionally sculpt my face into a piece of art is a way that I can feel empowered before I even walk out the door. It is a moment in which I feel self made. Wildly emblazoned with color, and yet controlled all at once. Me as I see myself.

Image is a powerful thing, and if wearing makeup is not what makes you feel strong, intentional, and powerful then you are no more or less of a woman for not wearing it. Feminism should never be used as a stick with which to beat other women, but a catalyst of empowerment. We are a diverse community of people who support the equality of the sexes and genders, and should welcome all those who fall in between. The idea of gender as a binary reality is breaking down, so at the end of the day, lets just all do what makes us feel empowered accept people and the identity they create for themselves.