Makeup was never a huge part of my life growing up. I had really sensitive skin and I wasn't interested in it. Even through middle school and high school I never wore much of it. If anything I wore mascara and eyeliner to bring attention to my eyes. I never saw the point in makeup. Typically I rolled out of bed and went to the bus stop. I never understood how girls woke up hours before school to straighten their hair and apply makeup. It wasn't for me. It wasn't until I had more girl friends that I really took interest to it. I saw how it could transform you. That was what pulled me in.

I remember growing up and having classmates that spent ages getting ready. That seemed so absurd to me. I would wake up fifteen minutes before my bus came and rushed out the door. I never looked down on anyone who wore makeup. If anything I think I gave them a lot of credit for being able to wake up early. I never felt like I needed it. My skin was pretty clear and I wore glasses that pretty much hid the dark circles under my eyes. In eighth grade I got some makeup products for Christmas. I remember trying them on and thinking I looked like a clown. I was too much of a tomboy to wear makeup. Looking back on it I wish I had gotten into it earlier.

In the past year I've changed my mind completely. I started watching makeup tutorials and wishing I could recreate their looks. One of my friends was very passionate about anything makeup related. She sort of took me under her wing and taught me the basics. I remember going to Sephora for the first time and being completely overwhelmed. I had no idea what a primer did or why people were obsessing over liquid lipstick.It was a whole new world.

There's so much more to makeup than what I originally thought. Youtube has really helped me learn more about what have now become my favorite products. It's a bit of a trial and error. You'll find that some products work better than others.

It takes time. You're not going to be able to recreate a look NikkieTutorials does over night. Believe me, it won't happen. Don't get discouraged or give up. Rome wasn't built in a day and Beyonce didn't become Beyonce over night. Youtube is truly a blessing. You'll learn so much from beauty gurus. Product reviews, monthly favorites, no go's and of course tutorials will guide you along the way. Some of my favorite youtubers are: NikkieTutorials, Jackie Aina, Jaclyn Hill, Patrick Starr and Tati.

If I've taken anything away from this past year it's that, blending is the most important part of your makeup routine and anyone can wear makeup. It doesn't matter where you decide to wear makeup, it is your right to self expression to wear it however you'd like. You could wear a natural look or a dark smokey eye to the grocery store. Honestly, you can wear an eccentric look around the house. How you decide to express yourself is completely up to you. Also you don't need to be a girl to wear makeup. Personally I believe that anyone, any gender can wear makeup. If you want to express yourself through makeup, go for it. Gender norms are meant to be broken.

Obviously you don't need high end makeup to create a nice look. I've found drug store products that work the same or better than products I've bought from Sephora or Ulta. Whatever works for you works for you. I can't stand when someone looks down on someone else just because they don't have high end makeup. Everyone has a budget and $50 foundation might not be in there for everyone. Regardless of what products you use and what kind of makeup you like to wear, you have every right to express yourself.