Self-Expression Through Makeup

Makeup is definitely not one of the world’s best kept secrets. According to Britannica, men AND women have been painting their faces since as early as 4000 BCE. Since then, makeup has evolved heavily overtime with what it looks like, what it’s used for, and what it’s made of. My makeup journey started in elementary school when my mother would prepare me for my yearly dance recitals. Sometimes my mom would give me some of her pieces to practice with and start wearing, but I was terrible at it (as I’m sure everyone is when they start). Over the years I eventually took over doing my own dance makeup, but middle school was really when I started getting into wearing it everyday and practicing to get better. Practicing was a requirement because I had bought my first black eyeliner (I was am ‘emo’ teenager) and obviously when I started wearing it, it looked awful. People now compliment me on how well I can do eyeliner and I always tell them it’s because I wore it every single day in high school. Practice makes perfect as they say.

Personal image of me at a dance recital.

Makeup is one of the most universal things ever created. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like, where you’re from. or even your skill level, everyone can wear makeup. These days society goes through so many makeup-related trends it’s hard to keep up. But one thing is always clear: people use makeup to not only express themselves, but also to make them feel good. Over the years I have used makeup for many different things like covering acne, costumes, performances, or just to make myself feel a little prettier. No matter the reason, makeup is a fantastic tool that you. can use to express who you are and make you feel good. I am going to share with you some of the ways that makeup can enhance your life and who you are.

Hiding Your Flaws

Flaws. Everyone has them. Even though you shouldn’t let them define who you are, makeup is a way for you to hide or change something you feel insecure about. For me, there are many things I am insecure about like my self-titled “invisibrows”, my skin, or my eyelashes. Wearing makeup can not only change those things, but helps me look on the outside how I want to feel on the inside. So fill in your eyebrows, wear some fake lashes, over line your lips if you want to because it’s all about doing what makes you feel good about yourself.

Building Your Confidence

One look at the internet can tell you that makeup is a very powerful tool for making you look however you want to look. Makeup transformation videos are not only shocking, but make you believe that you could do that yourself. Which you can! Wearing makeup builds your confidence but helping you feel pretty and look however you want. You could even look hideous if you wanted to (i.e. special effects makeup). Full coverage, light coverage, caked on or barely there, whatever you want is at your fingertips. There are so many makeup trends that fit different aesthetics such as clean girl makeup, trad goth, douyin (chinese makeup), and so many others. You can do whatever fits your aesthetic and how you want to look to make you feel confident.

Practicing and Experimenting

Eyeshadow is one of my favorite parts of doing makeup. It is definitely the most versatile part and you can do absolutely anything you want with it. Experimenting is by far the most important thing you can do when learning to do makeup because it can show you what you like, what you don’t like, what looks good on you, etc.. Eyeshadow is the perfect way to dip your toe in and start practicing. Pastels, neons, warm tone nudes, cool tone nudes, pick whatever color you want and throw it on your face. Or start with just one color and one brush if thats what you’re comfortable with, and make small circular motions on your eyelid with the brush to blend it out. The more you practice, the better you’ll get and the more confidence you’ll build in trying different things.

Image of two recent eye looks I did.

Empowering and Expressing Yourself

The most important takeaway is that makeup is a great tool many people use to express themselves, me included. Creating artistic looks, matching colors to your outfit, even using it to transform into something you enjoy like a drag queen. It’s apart of my everyday life and is something I enjoy playing with in my past time and I am absolutely not the only one. Makeup empowers people and brings people together, and overall helps people look and feel like their best self. Which to me, at the end of the day, is all that really matters.

So whether you want to cake your face or leave the house with a little bit of blush and mascara, it’s all about doing what you enjoy and what makes you feel good. Regardless if others like what you do with it or not, as long as it makes you personally feel confident, there is nothing else to worry about.