I have been wearing a light dusting of foundation and a dab of blush since freshman year of high school. It takes about two minutes to complete the routine and it’s such a part of my morning ritual I barely notice it. Why do I wear it? Well, the little makeup I do wear on a daily basis just evens out the color of my skin and brightens my face. I wear it for me.

The only time I shy away from makeup is when working out and on camping trips. It’s not that I feel like I need it, I figure as long as I have it I should use it, right? If it accentuates my facial features and compliments the colors in my clothes, what’s the harm? But then again, what’s the harm in not wearing makeup? Is highlighting natural features that important? Nope. So I said “see you later makeup!” and went a week makeup free.

Not only did this impromptu experiment teach me a thing or two about myself, but I gained a broader curiosity about women and their makeup usage in general. We all stand at the bathroom counter with our roommates, applying makeup in preparation for the party or an evening out to dinner, but we never really talk about the reason why we wear it, do we? My friends and I don’t. So instead of writing a more in depth reflection on my experiences with and without makeup, I decided to ask about other’s experiences instead. What do college women really think about makeup?

“I don't really wear a lot of makeup on a day to day basis. I wear a powder foundation and mascara simply to cover up small blemishes and dark spots that tend to make me feel insecure.” Caroline, 19

“Well, I mainly wear it now because of my job, which is at a makeup store so it's required. But I also think that it helps boost my confidence. I don't have acne, but I have uneven skin tone and pimples once in awhile. I just feel a lot better about myself when I wear it. And I just think it's fun and actually artistic!” Laura, 21

“Usually I’m not the biggest makeup wearer. I try to believe that I look pretty without it on. I feel comfortable without it on and to be honest that’s probably because I went to an all girls high school. I know a lot of people who can't even leave the house without it on, but I am glad that I can go without it because I feel more natural!” Maggie, 19

“My take is that makeup is to make yourself feel good. If you feel good not wearing it, don't. If you like a full face contour, fricken contour! I wear makeup when I'm feeling down to remind myself that I am pretty and successful.” Emma, 18

“My take on daily makeup is that it is unnecessary. Now, I am not against makeup entirely. I believe in occasional makeup to give that extra boost to the beauty I know I already have intrinsically. I feel like daily makeup just takes away from the pleasure of that little occasional boost, because people already associate you with wearing it all the time. What becomes ordinary takes away from the extraordinary.” Stacey, 20

“Personally I wear makeup most days because I have for so long that my face just seems empty without eyeliner and mascara. Also it's sad to say but it does make me feel prettier and that plays a big role into my confidence which plays into everything I do” Shantel, 20

“I don't wear daily makeup, but those of my friends who do say it’s because it’s routine and it wakes them up in the morning because it is refreshing. So I totally get it if that's what people like to do everyday. I respect it and I'm jealous I don’t look that good. But I honestly only wear makeup if I am going out to a celebration dinner, a banquet or out on the weekends to nicer party, not just with my friends.” Emily, 21

“I do not wear makeup on an everyday basis. Makeup requires time, and I'd rather spend that time on sleep!” Mai Mao, 21

“I say embrace your own beauty. Be comfortable in your own skin. I have gone a week without makeup just for fun, and it helped me to become more confident with myself. People still treated me the same. People still liked me for who I am. That's just my personal opinion. But if people like wearing a ton of eyeliner and cover-up, go for it. You do you. But I hope that you are just as comfortable in your own skin without it.” Ella, 20

“My take on daily makeup is that it's okay if that helps people feel more confident in themselves. I personally have a no-makeup preference, because I believe that will teach people to be comfortable with their natural face, and I think that people will wear makeup every day because they form a habit out of it, and they will literally stop recognizing their reflection if they suddenly don't wear makeup which leads to that discomfort in one's appearance. Overall, I don't think makeup is bad, but I do think that the true reason people wear it every day is because they aren't comfortable with their appearance without it.” Malaz, 21

“I feel like the reason for makeup is purely social. If it wasn't highly socialized and almost expected, then there wouldn't be a pressure component.” Keely, 20

“I think some girls underestimate how awesome their natural beauty is, they just need to own it!” Sam, 19

Women’s opinions on makeup cover a wide spectrum and those opinions are reflected in their decisions to wear or not to wear makeup on a somewhat regular basis. We have a general view of what college women think, but what do college men think about women and makeup?

“It’s something that I do notice, but I notice more often when a girl doesn't wear any or very little. Natural beauty is great and something I prefer.” Isaiah, 21

“I personally prefer girls who do not wear a lot of makeup. I am also against people trying to create artificial physical beauty, so when a girl wear tons of makeup it is unappealing. I respect that girls are willing to put so much time into looking beautiful, but I wish I could tell them all they look just as beautiful without it.” Joe, 19

“Personally, I would never expect a girl to be wearing makeup. It's one of those things that if they like wearing it and they feel better having it on then they should, kind of like when I actually fix my hair rather than throwing a hat on. It makes me feel a little more dressed up and stuff, but I'm not going to do it every day.” James, 19

“I more so notice the extremes of the makeup spectrum: no makeup or a lot. Or else I notice if a person changes their makeup pattern (i.e. usually wears makeup, doesn't for a day). I love women who don't feel the need to do it every day, let's me know they're comfortable and confident with who they are.” Matt, 21

“I would say that people don’t need to use it, but I totally understand how it can make people feel more confident or comfortable with themselves in the same way that men use clothing, hairstyle, and skin care to the same effect. However, it does bother me quite a lot when people make self-deprecating comments about how they look without makeup.Personally, I think people look perfectly fine, if not better without it.” Aidan, 19

“I notice makeup on girls because they put it on, but it doesn't really affect my judgment of them. If a girl doesn't want to wear makeup, that's fricken cool. If a girl wants to "beat her face" and contour for the gods, that's fricken cool. Makeup is just like any other fashion accessory, it doesn't matter how much you have, as long as you rock it.” Michael, 20

Makeup receives mixed reviews from men and women alike. If you wear too much, people notice. If you don’t wear any at all, people notice. But what it boils down to is how wearing makeup or not wearing makeup makes you feel! Be confident in yourself and your looks! People respect an individual that stays true to themselves, so be you!