I’ve been playing with makeup for as long as I can remember. I can remember vividly when I started wearing it daily. It was my 13th birthday and I had some extra birthday money so I decided to buy this Urban Decay palette with different hues of blue and purple, which were my favorite colors at the time. When the palette arrived in the mail I realized that I didn’t know how to use it so I started to watch countless makeup tutorials on Youtube. Even though it started with harsh lines, bad blending, and cringe-worthy color experimentation, it was something I loved to do. Four years later, I like to think I’m much better than I was and I love it more than ever. Not for reasons you may think though.

I’ve seen a fair share of assumptions about people wearing makeup. I’ve seen makeup wearers called “insecure”, “fake”, and “try-hards.” Some people say it’s something we do to impress boys. I’m sure you have all seen the “take her swimming on the first date” trend.

All of these accusations are wrong. We are not trying to hide at all using makeup. We are trying to show off our features and tell our story. It is a way to express ourselves and, quite literally, show our true colors. We can be hard and sultry with sharp lines and dark lips one day, and soft and dainty the next.

There are so many things you can do with it other than cover up insecurities. Makeup is an essential part of theatre and film making. Many of your favorite characters would not be possible without makeup. Countless people like Jaclyn Hill and Mykie from Glam and Gore made something out of themselves using makeup and now they have very successful careers. It can also be used to help express and channel your individuality. Jeffree Star is a wonderful example of that. I admire these people and hope to have a success story like them someday.

It also brings people together. On Youtube there is a huge community of thousands of people who get online and share their favorite products and to show off their art. Doing other people's makeup is one of my favorite things to do because you can see the confidence flow in.

And the best thing of all was beautifully said by my dear friend Nina, “You are both the artist and the canvas.”

Makeup has given so many people confidence and so much empowerment and self love. When we feel these three things boys and girls become unstoppable.