When I was little, my parents would berate me about wearing makeup. I was “too young” or the ever famous “you’re ruining your skin.” My dad would make the argument that wearing makeup isn’t necessary and that I shouldn’t engage. But that didn’t stop me from sneaking into my mom’s makeup drawer and playing with her collection.
Women have been wearing makeup for centuries. American Indians painted their faces for battle and ceremonial events. Women in ancient Egypt had MAD eye liner skills. And Japanese Geishas are known for their thick white foundation and adorned kimonos. Consequently, makeup is part of our history.
Makeup has a bad reputation for parents with young girls. My dad thought wearing makeup will provoke boys. That’s stupid, maybe the male species should know their boundaries. Boys will be boys? No, boys will be held accountable for their actions like girls are. Makeup is a weapon women have been using for years. And the fact that people say that makeup is dirt and covers your natural beauty is ignorant. They don’t understand that makeup is an art, an expression of our soul. When used correctly, it will look like you’re not wearing any at all.
Makeup is a secret weapon women have been hiding for centuries. It is our bow and arrow, our stiletto into the world. It holds the power that other women (and men) envy: confidence. In fact, wearing makeup is key to mental health. StyleCaster rounded up a few accounts of how makeup and skin care changed their mental health outcome. It seems that makeup can be a secret weapon against mental health.
Like a stiletto as an offensive weapon, makeup is our classified weapon. We don’t think of our beauty products as something to make us feel better, but it actually brings our inner beauty to the surface. We bring out our creativity and lift our strength. Courage is born.
Don’t just take it from me, International Journal of Cosmetic Science researched the effects of confidence and makeup. They researched that their subjects “reported being more self-confident and sociable when wearing [makeup].” So there is a link between makeup and mental health.
Here is 5 reasons why makeup can boost you confidence…
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- Put your game face on. Or the famous, put on some makeup we’re going to the club. Putting on makeup after a horrible break up, bad day at work, or just because, can make you feel amazing. Put the red lipstick on, your war paint. Makeup can have that power of making you into a new persona or your alter ego. A protective sheath in which you can let loose. Ladies, we all have that alter ego who we turn into when our song starts playing or when the tequila hits. You guys will have to ask my friends who my mine is.
- It brings out your creative side. Mixing colors, trying new shades of lipstick, and contouring. It opens an avenue that you are not probably accustomed to. It is similar to how coloring books can relieve stress. Putting makeup on has the same effect.
- You meet more people. I love walking around Sephora and trying out their free lessons or applications. Just by talking to the associates and other customers, you learn new things. I first time I learned how to put on fake eye lashes, I had 4 people surrounding me. #womensupportingwomen You join a community of people who love makeup if not more than you do.
- It makes you feel like, YOU! Yes, God blessed you with beautiful eyes, nose, mouth, and cheeks, but HE gave you a palette in which you are destined to make your own. For beautiful eyes, make them stand out with the right liner and shadow. For a beautiful nose, contour correctly. For beautiful lips, use a lip liner, lip sheer, and lip gloss. And for beautiful cheeks, use the perfect blush that compliments your laugh.
- Taking the time to put make up on is a form of self care. You are setting aside “me time” to fully see yourself, prepare for the day ahead, and set goals. By perfecting your eyeliner on both eyes will literally make you feel so good. And filling in your eye brows? Girl, you will move mountains. Now a days, I’ve been dedicating a few minutes in my morning routine to putting makeup on. Simple things such as eye liner, mascara, eye brows, and lip gloss. Every time I put these bad boys on my face, I always feel prepared to take on the day and walk down every aisle in Target.
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Make up is an art, a passion, and an expression. We shouldn’t be shunning away, but embracing a lost art form. Of course there are many, talented makeup artists worldwide. Let’s encourage them, and motivate others to keep doing what they are doing.
What is in my makeup bag? Oh man. I’m simple: foundation, eye liner, brow pencil, eye lash curler, mascara, eye shadow palette, and my countour kit. I linked my favorite make up picks, just click on the words. It’s not just Beautycounter, but Tarte and Anastasia Beverly Hills are two of my favorite beauty picks!
What’s in your bag?
