I have a confession: I love makeup! All kinds of makeup, from drugstore brands to high end. Quite simply, makeup makes me happy. And honestly, I hear I’m pretty good at applying it, too.

Girls often ask how I developed such a talent for makeup application and if I can do their makeup before an event. All of the compliments and support are extremely rewarding as it is a talent that I have put a lot of time and effort into developing.

However, it is not always sunshine and rainbows.

Sometimes people are critical of what they perceive as my dependence on makeup. But the story behind my love affair with makeup and how it got me through my teenage years will help explain why I love it like I do and how it actually helped me become a more self-confident woman.

"You don't need makeup” or "Why do you wear makeup?" are questions I frequently hear during any given week. Many times, boys will say they prefer no makeup, but when I go bare-faced I get asked if I am sick or if I am tired. Many people have fallen in love with the idea of a "no makeup" look and do not understand that you are actually still wearing makeup when sporting this supposed fresh-faced look.

I may not need makeup at this point in my life, but there is a comfort I have found in applying it every day.

It also represents an important part of me from the past that I take with me as a reminder every day.

As a young girl, I was taught how to do makeup through the world of competitive dance. When I think back, it may have actually been my favorite part; waking up at 6 a.m. and watching intently as my mom applied my heavy foundation, eyeshadow, false eyelashes and bright red lipstick.

The day my mom let me put on my own lipstick was one of the most exciting days of my young life. It was the same makeup routine before every competition from the time I was four years old until I stopped competing at 15.

It was a routine that always brought the comfort of knowing it meant time spent with my mom. Foundation was first, followed by powder, white, black, and red eyeshadow, red blush and bright red lipstick. I became intrigued by what you could do with makeup.

Then, when I reached high school, I began to suffer from hormonal acne. Oily and broken out, I was embarrassed and I did not want to show my face.

At age 13, my self-confidence was at an all-time low. It was almost crippling.

I thought I was being stared at constantly and it did not help that my friends pointed out my complexion challenges. The only thing I knew to do to fix my skin was to cover it with makeup. Some may say that was not the best way to manage my self-confidence issue, but it got me through. And, it triggered a fire in me that inspired me to explore all the best products and makeup application techniques.

My junior year of high school, I had the opportunity to attend cosmetology school through a vocational program. I found it somewhat ironic that while learning to manage my challenging complexion, I had found my passion.

After sitting through endless Jaclyn Hill and Kathleen Lights YouTube videos to teach myself how to camouflage my acne-prone skin, I decided to take it a step further and attend the program. I knew I always had an eye for hair and makeup, and cosmetology school only improved my skills. I knew every product that could hide your skin and how to style hair to hide my face.

Towards the end of cosmetology school, I went through a treatment program that miraculously cleared my skin.

My skin was flawless! However, I continued to wear a full face of makeup and I will not stop. Makeup was there for me in some of my darkest times. When I felt so unsure of myself, makeup helped me get through the day. It brought me comfort and it made me feel confident. Today I wear make up because I choose to; I wear makeup for myself and definitely NOT anyone else.

Ladies, please know that you are all beautiful with or without makeup.

Let’s stop the negative, hurtful comments often directed at those who choose to wear makeup everyday. I am here to tell you that there is often a very important reason behind why a young woman may choose to wear it.

For me, it’s no longer about self-confidence. It is more about being the strong woman I have been able to become in spite of my difficult teen years.

Makeup pulled me through my darkest days when I didn’t want to leave my house.

Makeup gave me confidence to still participate and become who I am today. Today I wear makeup almost daily because I find joy in painting my face differently every day. The transformation is so rewarding and I would not like it any other way. I feel put together and like the girl boss I know I am. And in the end, that is what really matters.

Be Bold. Be You.