It is no surprise that makeup was my first love. I wore mascara on picture day in fourth grade, and it changed my life.
In that moment, it became an outlet for creativity. It gave me a way to feel confident, but not in the way most people would think.
Makeup is often associated with influencers or trying to impress the cute fraternity boy downtown. But the fact of the matter is, it's deeper than that.
I've mentioned before the importance of getting ready, the value in taking time to only focus on yourself for yourself.
It's a way to be selfish. To take everything you're feeling inside and translate it in a way for other people to see. Your looks convey a message with no language, no explanation. You get to show the world whatever you want to put out there.
Being open about my interest in makeup has opened the door for many conversations that begin with, "You should do my makeup sometime!" "I wish I could do makeup!" "How did you learn to do makeup?"
These questions are often my least favorite because they imply that makeup is only for certain people - the artsy girls that like to be creative, the girly girls that stick on fake eyelashes to impress Chad from Theta Apple Pi, the kids who grew up in their mom's makeup drawer, and the high schoolers with painful insecurities. But it's not.
Makeup is for everyone because it isn't the same for anybody.
Stop telling yourself you're bad at demonstrating yourself to the world because you can't get perfect winged eyeliner.
Stop acting like your creativity level determines if you get to spend time on yourself in the morning.
Stop pretending that makeup is only for the girls who follow Jeffree Star religiously.
If you want to kill a smokey eye but don't know how, teach yourself!
Take the time to learn how to accomplish something that will make you feel confident.
If you love yourself in red lipstick, wear it regardless of the brand name slapped on it.
Stop asking everyone to spend time making you feel pretty and learn to practice feeling that way on your own.
Sit down and put whatever you want on your face in whatever pattern you like. There's no formula, no correct way to do it. It's what you want.
Makeup isn't for the girls who grew up in their mom's lipstick, but for the ones who buy the color they love.
It's not for Brad or Chad, but for the women who don't need others to validate themselves.
Makeup isn't for the artists who express themselves in bright colors and complex liner, but the teenagers that want to show the world their confidence.
It's for everyone. It's not about talent or ability but being creative with yourself.
Take time to do what makes you feel good. Don't let excuses get in the way. It's whatever you want.
