Makeup is a wonderful thing; since the dawn of time women have slapped mud on their eyebrows, berry juice on their lips and elongated their eyelashes with the help of charcoal. It's a multi-billion pound worldwide industry that shows no signs of slowing down, with new brands launching every month and offering us something new. You only have to walk into your local Boots, step inside the doors of House of Fraser or dare to spend the afternoon in Selfridges to see the passion of women for that little bullet of colour or brand new limited edition eyeshadow palette. Considering so many of us wear the stuff, I still find it incredible how it's perceived to be anti-feminist and a reflection of our own self-indulgence - or even worse, worn simply for the benefit of men. I can safely say when I apply my mascara in the morning I'm not thinking "I really hope the dude at the train ticket office falls in love with my flutter." It's not 1952. So the question is, why *do* we wear makeup?
I've had a long standing relationship with makeup, having applied bright blue eyeshadow and bold pink lipstick from the age of five. I was a child ballerina who spent her youth on the stage in various colours of tutus, using Rimmel and Collection 2000 to help 'make my features stand out against the bright stage lighting' - or so my mother told me. I had my own little collection of slap and a favourite palette (probably from Argos) that made me feel like a million bucks. I loved playing around with it and making my lips look all 'grown up and pouty', although I would never leave the house with anything other than a brush of my mother's face powder. As I got older I started wearing concealer to cover blemishes, clear mascara to define my lashes and a touch of lipgloss to make me feel sassy. It wasn't about being sexualised, it wasn't about appealing to men - it was about how it made me feel.
Moving into my teenage years I started to experiment more with makeup, but still wasn't much good at it: the 90's were really not a good time to grow up. Heather Shimmer lipstick and hair mascara replaced blue mascara, later to be again replaced with an obsession with white eyeshadow - but all the time it was about having fun, making myself feel good and boosting my confidence. As I became a 'proper grown-up' I started to actually take a bit more care with my techniques, started investing in foundation and eventually (after getting a job with a makeup brand) even started to fill in my eyebrows. Oh what a difference a decent brow and a lined eye can make to one's face. Now, as a 32 year old woman, makeup gives me the confidence I need to get on with my daily life without worrying the man at the Starbucks counter is thinking "she really could do with a great nights sleep and some under-eye concealer."
I love transforming myself on a Saturday night and stepping out the door with kick-ass smokey eyes. I love getting on the train with a bright red lip and feeling like I can take on the world. I love contouring and adding a touch of colour to my cheeks, making me feel like I'm healthy and glowing even when I'm feeling like utter poop. I don't have a problem revealing my naked, blemished, slightly ageing face (hey, I was on a Google Hangout with five other people this week in a Care Bear onesie and nothing on my face but a load of moisturiser,) but it makes me feel good when I've spent time creating a slightly more perfected look. I genuinely enjoy the process too, spending far too much time creating eye looks that appear to have been jabbed on in thirty seconds, and revel in my morning routine when I can take time out and pamper myself just a little bit. I adore the texture and feel of makeup, how it can do so many different things and that it appeals to my inner magpie - for some people it's bird watching or stamp collection, for me it's eyeshadows and lipsticks.
Because I wanted to know why other women wore makeup, I asked my twitter followers that very question. The results were unsurprising and quite universal - it makes us feel good and it allows our creative streak to shine. All of the comments I received could be placed within two main circles of thought, so here's a snapshot of what you had to say:
1. CONFIDENCE
Frazzledbeauty: Without it I have zero confidence! I don't feel human without makeup!
Lilblogofbeauty: To improve the appearance of my skin/face, to make me feel more confident/better presented and because I like it.
Ngorlly: To hide insecurities and to emphasise good features. Also because it's fun, I love spending time doing myself up :)
LuciEvetts: Confidence is the biggest thing for me... I don't want to run and hide if I see someone I know in Tesco when I've not got my face on!
Lizzieibbo: Hiding dark circles and making me look more awake! But also accentuating my features and boosting my confidence :)
MeganJaneLillie: To feel badass when I'm having a crappy day.
Girlwithmakeup: Because it gives me SO much confidence that I just don't have otherwise
MsMakeupMagpie: To make me a better, more polished version of myself :)
_love_cat: To make myself feel more confident as it presents the best version of me.
LayItBareBlog: As long as I've got eyeliner and mascara on, I'm ready to take on the world. They're my sources of confidence and my mask
Elliesteadman: Because honestly I look much better with it than without, it gives me confidence and it's fun! X
2. CREATIVITY
Caron_BWPR: I really enjoy the process, especially trying new products!
Gleepface: I love creating different looks! It is to me what drawing or painting is to artists I suppose.
CanzMUA: I like being creative, and being able to change my look day to day with my mood. It puts me in a certain mind set!
SallyAkins: I enjoy shopping for make up, spending time putting it on. It gives me a confidence boost; it's fun.
Thelovecatsinc: Because I like seeing what different looks I can create. Plus red lipstick makes me feel fierce *snaps*
Natashareilly_x: I like expressing my moods & my feelings with different looks, and because makeup can compliment an outfit or certain style!
Lisahh_Jayne: Because I like to be able to experiment and change my look depending on what products I feel like using.
Inthelifeofhan: I like how creative & artistic you can be with it. It also makes me feel that little bit more confident.
Ceejayell: I love putting it on! I can go without make up, but like taking the time to do my face! Except winged liner... That's a stresser.
OurLittleL: I enjoy putting on my makeup in the morning. It makes me feel awake and calm, especially after a couple makeup-free days.
So, why do you wear makeup? I'd love to know!
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I've had a long standing relationship with makeup, having applied bright blue eyeshadow and bold pink lipstick from the age of five. I was a child ballerina who spent her youth on the stage in various colours of tutus, using Rimmel and Collection 2000 to help 'make my features stand out against the bright stage lighting' - or so my mother told me. I had my own little collection of slap and a favourite palette (probably from Argos) that made me feel like a million bucks. I loved playing around with it and making my lips look all 'grown up and pouty', although I would never leave the house with anything other than a brush of my mother's face powder. As I got older I started wearing concealer to cover blemishes, clear mascara to define my lashes and a touch of lipgloss to make me feel sassy. It wasn't about being sexualised, it wasn't about appealing to men - it was about how it made me feel.
Moving into my teenage years I started to experiment more with makeup, but still wasn't much good at it: the 90's were really not a good time to grow up. Heather Shimmer lipstick and hair mascara replaced blue mascara, later to be again replaced with an obsession with white eyeshadow - but all the time it was about having fun, making myself feel good and boosting my confidence. As I became a 'proper grown-up' I started to actually take a bit more care with my techniques, started investing in foundation and eventually (after getting a job with a makeup brand) even started to fill in my eyebrows. Oh what a difference a decent brow and a lined eye can make to one's face. Now, as a 32 year old woman, makeup gives me the confidence I need to get on with my daily life without worrying the man at the Starbucks counter is thinking "she really could do with a great nights sleep and some under-eye concealer."
I love transforming myself on a Saturday night and stepping out the door with kick-ass smokey eyes. I love getting on the train with a bright red lip and feeling like I can take on the world. I love contouring and adding a touch of colour to my cheeks, making me feel like I'm healthy and glowing even when I'm feeling like utter poop. I don't have a problem revealing my naked, blemished, slightly ageing face (hey, I was on a Google Hangout with five other people this week in a Care Bear onesie and nothing on my face but a load of moisturiser,) but it makes me feel good when I've spent time creating a slightly more perfected look. I genuinely enjoy the process too, spending far too much time creating eye looks that appear to have been jabbed on in thirty seconds, and revel in my morning routine when I can take time out and pamper myself just a little bit. I adore the texture and feel of makeup, how it can do so many different things and that it appeals to my inner magpie - for some people it's bird watching or stamp collection, for me it's eyeshadows and lipsticks.
Because I wanted to know why other women wore makeup, I asked my twitter followers that very question. The results were unsurprising and quite universal - it makes us feel good and it allows our creative streak to shine. All of the comments I received could be placed within two main circles of thought, so here's a snapshot of what you had to say:
1. CONFIDENCE
Frazzledbeauty: Without it I have zero confidence! I don't feel human without makeup!
Lilblogofbeauty: To improve the appearance of my skin/face, to make me feel more confident/better presented and because I like it.
Ngorlly: To hide insecurities and to emphasise good features. Also because it's fun, I love spending time doing myself up :)
LuciEvetts: Confidence is the biggest thing for me... I don't want to run and hide if I see someone I know in Tesco when I've not got my face on!
Lizzieibbo: Hiding dark circles and making me look more awake! But also accentuating my features and boosting my confidence :)
MeganJaneLillie: To feel badass when I'm having a crappy day.
Girlwithmakeup: Because it gives me SO much confidence that I just don't have otherwise
MsMakeupMagpie: To make me a better, more polished version of myself :)
_love_cat: To make myself feel more confident as it presents the best version of me.
LayItBareBlog: As long as I've got eyeliner and mascara on, I'm ready to take on the world. They're my sources of confidence and my mask
Elliesteadman: Because honestly I look much better with it than without, it gives me confidence and it's fun! X
2. CREATIVITY
Caron_BWPR: I really enjoy the process, especially trying new products!
Gleepface: I love creating different looks! It is to me what drawing or painting is to artists I suppose.
CanzMUA: I like being creative, and being able to change my look day to day with my mood. It puts me in a certain mind set!
SallyAkins: I enjoy shopping for make up, spending time putting it on. It gives me a confidence boost; it's fun.
Thelovecatsinc: Because I like seeing what different looks I can create. Plus red lipstick makes me feel fierce *snaps*
Natashareilly_x: I like expressing my moods & my feelings with different looks, and because makeup can compliment an outfit or certain style!
Lisahh_Jayne: Because I like to be able to experiment and change my look depending on what products I feel like using.
Inthelifeofhan: I like how creative & artistic you can be with it. It also makes me feel that little bit more confident.
Ceejayell: I love putting it on! I can go without make up, but like taking the time to do my face! Except winged liner... That's a stresser.
OurLittleL: I enjoy putting on my makeup in the morning. It makes me feel awake and calm, especially after a couple makeup-free days.
So, why do you wear makeup? I'd love to know!
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