Growing up, I was a mix of a girly girl and a tomboy. I loved playing with Barbie with my sister and just had a love of all baby dolls and stuffed animals. I remember having scented nail polish and nail art stickers.
On the flip side, I also really enjoyed sports and I wasn’t afraid to get my hands dirty. I enjoyed playing in the dirt and being at one with the Earth. I enjoyed the best of both worlds.
Lucky 13
I was 13 years old when my mom took me to get my ears pierced at the mall for my birthday. It was such a memorable experience and one that I will never forget. I remember eating food at the food court in the mall, getting Mrs. Field’s cookies, and then heading over to Claire’s to get my ears pierced. I was so excited!
Not only did I get my ears pierced at 13, but I was also allowed to start wearing a little bit of makeup. My mother only let me wear eyeliner to start until I was much older but being able to wear it made me so happy.
Time Flies
Fast forward to today and here I am in my late 30s. Makeup has become a part of me. Even after all of these years, it makes me happy. Honestly now, to me putting it on is like putting on clothes for the day, it is just natural and a routine. I wear makeup every time I leave the house.
To me, makeup is an art and something that relaxes me. I really enjoy putting it on. I like to do up my whole face from foundation and eyeliner to mascara. My makeup is always noticeable, but on the natural side, I don’t use many colors or eccentric styles.
Interesting Comments
Over the years I have gotten some interesting comments from others. Some people have told me that the fact that I wear makeup means that I am not okay in my own skin, that I am not real, they say that I am afraid to be myself and that I must be using it as a mask or a shield…like some sort of protection.
I am not one to judge, I know that people are who they are for a reason and that many different types of life walk this Earth. I understand where people may be coming from when they make comments like this to me, but to me, makeup is a part of me. It has been a part of me since I turned 13.
Expression
To me, makeup is a form of expression. It is an art. Some people like to express themselves with a certain style of clothing, piercings, tattoos, or hairstyles. These all make up our outward appearance, however, it does not change who the person is on the inside.
We all have an image that we like to portray to the outside world. A little glimpse of who we are can be found in what we like and what we wear, however, the person that is underneath it all is the core of who we are. No amount of makeup will change that in my opinion.
One Common Phrase
This takes me to a common phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover.” We all like different things and we express ourselves in different ways.
Maybe to some, my face full of makeup is a mask, but to me…well…I’m just me!