I was in ninth grade when I was first introduced to the idea of wearing too much makeup. I had an enormous crush on a guy in my art class. He was a few years ahead of me, so I tried to look a little older, showing off a little more skin than usual (as much as the ridiculous dress code would allow), put a little more effort into my hair, and finally started to use makeup for real. I wasn’t allowed to wear it at all until I was thirteen, and still struggled to differentiate between the effects of makeup and real features on my peers.

But I tried. I wore foundation two shades too tan that always faded in the crease of my chin, clumpy mascara that flaked off into the wrinkles under my eyes, bright pink lipstick that didn’t compliment me at all, and uneven eyeliner that ended up everywhere. But still, I tried.

And then my world was shattered. As I washed out my paintbrushes in the sink, I was approached from behind by a boy in my class, who swiftly pressed a wet paper towel onto my face. Thinking it was a harmless prank, I laughed at first, basking in the attention. But then he pulled the towel off, and showed me the skin colored smears of foundation he’d removed. “You’re wearing too much makeup.”

I pushed him away, laughed it off, and yet I can still remember it so clearly. And now I understand the situation so much differently. So flash forward here to my present opinion on the issue.

First of all, why the f*ck does it matter?

Why does it matter to you how much makeup I’m wearing? Why does it matter that I wake up and draw on my eyebrows every morning, that I need foundation to make my skin look “skin colored,” that I need mascara to show off my invisible lashes? Why the f*ck should I care what you think should or should not be on my face? The only opinion that matters is my own, and when I slap on a full face, I look in the mirror and say, “DAAAMN I look good!”

Makeup is just one more thing to add to the long list of things women (and men, because killer makeup skills do not discriminate) are shamed for, and it needs to stop. No more “take her to the pool on the first date” sh*t. No more calling girls “clowns.” No one should have to grow up dealing with this garbage.

Makeup is beautiful. Bare skin is beautiful. Flaws are beautiful. CONFIDENCE is beautiful. If you think you look glam in this #nomakeup selfie then PREACH! Preach if your highlight is killer #glowing. Preach if your brows are #onfleek. You are beautiful and you have every right to proclaim it (and please mention what products you use because I promise I am someone who cares). The unfollow button is there for anyone who thinks otherwise.

If someone tells you you look fake, you point at that glow. That glow is REAL!

Second. Where the f*ck did I get the idea in my head at thirteen years old that you wear makeup to impress OTHERS?

At some point, I realized this and also that no amount of makeup should change how people see you. And it doesn't, really. For example, I wore makeup every day for my first year of college, and still I got told I looked like a child by sh*tty people that definitely weren't worth my time. I didn't look older, I looked like a child wearing makeup. As a second example, all the great people I've met in life boost me up no matter how I look (unless of course I look like a total slug and then they usually ask what's wrong).

Some mornings, I have a full routine: primer, foundation, concealer, brow pencil + gel, eyelid primer, eye shadow, contour, blush, highlight, curl the lashes, mascara, setting spray.

And other times, I throw on mascara and a little brow gel, and there’s my look for the day. Both of these things are used to enhance my already beautiful features (my long lashes and full AF brows that are just invisible because I’m a natural blonde.

And I don’t do it for anyone else. It’s not to impress boys (because I have a boyfriend who always thinks I slay), it’s not to impress other girls (even though I love when I can bond with a girl over makeup talk), and, honestly, I don’t feel much change in my self-confidence if I bother to put on a full face. I do it literally because it’s what I feel like doing that morning or because I think it completes my look (which is sometimes sweatpants and a hoodie, and no makeup is the best way to complete that). My ideal style: Powerful. Sometimes you just need a winged liner to feel it.

Third, thank God for setting spray.

Wipe all you want; my glow isn’t going anywhere.

Some pics for evidence of my makeup glow-up:

(invisible brows and lashes, 2014)

(horrible winged liner, 2015)

(happy, no makeup Cat, 2015)

******** 2018 GLOW**********

(my "no makeup" makeup look. killer brows are key. always.)