I started to develop a love for makeup in eighth grade. My "getting ready" process was probably around 30 minutes less than it is now and my collection has definitely expanded. I used to draw a hugely thick line of black eyeliner on my bottom lashline and coat my eyes heavily with mascara and that was all it took for me to feel ready. Now, the process is much different. It can take an hour to 2 hours for me to be absolutely all done with makeup and that depends on how rushed I am. Now there are all these trends about contouring, highlighting, baking the face with loose powder, overlined lips, thin brows, thick brows, etc. I like to experiment with different looks and have fun with the art of creating different results using alternate techniques. But, the common misconception with wearing a lot of makeup is that I do not like my face without it. This is not true, I think I am beautiful with and without makeup.

For me, makeup is a lot of fun. Not only is the process fun but how you rock the outcome is also a huge part of the concept. I know how to make the most precise and signature eyeliner wings after years of practice, smokey eyes, and seemingly clear skin (bold-faced lie). I know how to create the most unsuspecting looks all created by drugstore products. Half (or most of the fun) of going out is getting ready for it. I love my makeup skills and I don’t think they detract from how I view my worth or how I value my natural features. I love going bare-faced and I love going “cake-faced”. I am not hiding anything, maybe a few zits, but I’m not a con artist, it isn’t a trap, and it isn’t a subliminal message saying that I’m insecure and need to cover my face with products to make me feel secure. Mentally and emotionally, after many years, I am finally in a place where I am comfortable with my image and can enjoy the art of applying makeup but can also enjoy my face without any. Beauty isn’t what you look like; it’s who you are.