As I applied red lipstick in the restroom of an all-women's college, a student came in and told me, “You don’t need to wear that here; there’s no boys around.” In awe, I was astonished that she assumed the only reason I wore lipstick was to impress males. However, I wasn’t very surprised after I thought about it, as there are many misconceptions as to why females decide to wear lipstick, or any sort of makeup for that matter.
The thing is, people believe that makeup is worn by unconfident women that believe they’re ugly and feel the need to apply layers of foundation and contour, in order to hide any imperfections. And while that may apply to some ladies, that’s stereotypical. Every woman is different! After two years of wearing lipstick and the occasional mascara, I have gotten my fair share of stereotypical comments. From “You’re not ugly," "You don’t need makeup,” to “Who are you trying to impress with that pink lipstick?” the assumptions made by both males and females, and people of all ages, still leave me wondering why.
In a society that revolves around individuality, it is amazing how people still form preconceptions, ignoring the fact that every makeup-wearer is unique. You want to know why I wear lipstick? No, it’s not because I’m not confident; I’m one of the most confident people you’ll ever meet. It’s not because I want to impress boys, because I wear lipstick even if I know there won’t be any males in a 20-mile radius. So why? The lipstick I wear reflects my personality in a fun way and allows me to explore a new form of art.
The reds, pinks, and violets that are seen in my lipstick collection all are very vibrant and eye-popping, reflecting my bright and classy personality. I love being able to compliment my outfits with bright lips, and that’s because the only person I am trying to “impress” is myself. That lipstick only adds on to the confidence I already have, and yes, it makes me feel good. Not that I feel ugly without it, but lipstick gives me that extra boost of confidence that keeps my head up, even on the darkest of days. Additionally, I believe that everyone needs a medium of art in which they can express themselves. For me, I don’t only engage in writing as my form of art; I also like experimenting with makeup. Whenever I apply makeup on myself or on others, I feel like there are no limits to what I can create. Makeup is an art that can ultimately elevate one’s prominent features. And finally, makeup is a way to be expressive. As I have grown older, whenever I see a girl with plum shadow and nude glossy lips, I’ve learned that she is expressing her mood; a confident and dramatic look radiates her own confident personality. Makeup for many women, speaks for itself, often even stating facts that the lady does not say.
Needless to say, women are beautiful, whether they’re wearing makeup or not. For me, lipstick, and other forms of makeup, simply complement the features I am proud of and allow me to express myself in a different way. So what did I answer the young lady who questioned me in the restroom? Simple: “Life is too short to make it my goal to impress people. I do everything I do to impress myself, not anyone else.”
