Eyeshadow, mascara, foundation, lipstick, and primers. Makeup is something that has been around for about 6000 years. It has evolved over the years into something that many children dream of wearing and something that adults can wear confidently. Makeup is an art form; after learning the proper techniques, you can trick others into thinking that your eyes are bigger than they seem or even sculpt your face into your idea of a perfect shape. Everyone's makeup is unique and their own way of expressing themselves. That being said, I feel that it is necessary to discuss why people wear makeup.
First of all, something that needs to be said is that not only women wear makeup. Guys, you can wear makeup, too! I don't necessarily mean dressing in drag (you have to admit, the makeup that those men can do is absolutely stunning). I'm talking about everyday makeup. Why should women be the only ones allowed to cover up zits or under-eye circles? Why should we be the only ones to have perfectly rosy cheeks and stunning contoured cheek bones? The answer is we shouldn't. If you want to wear makeup, then you do you. Makeup is all about the individual.
On the other end of the spectrum, it is totally, 100 percent, most definitely okay to not wear makeup. If you don't feel like layering your skin with product every morning then don't, and don't feel bad about it! Studies show that 44 percent of women admit that they do not feel beautiful without makeup on
. If you are part of the 56 percent that do, then I envy you. We all have those days where we wake up and feel great and look great, and that's amazing. We all also have those days where we feel like a troll emerging from under our bridge, and the only way to fix it is to throw on some mascara and lipgloss. That's okay too.
What makes all of that okay is the simple fact that we are not wearing makeup for others. Sure, sometimes we feel that we may get some extra attention from that guy in chemistry class if we look a little more presentable to the world, but in all honesty, I don't spend 23 minutes perfecting my eyeliner wing just for you not to notice. I don't go out to Ulta to buy a 22 dollar bottle of mascara when I know my boyfriend won't even realize that I just spent seven minutes per eye separating the gloppy messes that are my eyelashes.
Cosmetics are a way of transforming yourself into what you picture as ideal. Maybe your idea of the perfect look is different than the person sitting next to on the bus and I bet it's completely different than your mom's perfect makeup look, but that's what makes it perfect. If it makes you happy, it's doing it's job. If you walk a little taller and speak a bit louder on those days when you do put the effort into not looking like you just rolled out of bed after getting two hours of sleep because Netflix, then I solute you. Be yourself and shine through your shell to show the world just how awesome you are.
