From the ancient Egyptian women who painted their faces to please the gods, to the Roman women who beautified themselves to please one another, to the way we enhance ourselves today, some women are aware of the power that wearing makeup has while others are not. Some women see it as a complete transformation, putting them on a higher seat of confidence, while others who wear it faithfully may see it merely as a daily beauty routine. No matter what the media may project, we are stunning without it! Let’s be honest, women who do love to “beat their faces,” even occasionally, have positive reasons and may even have negative reasons for wearing makeup.

 

POSITIVE REASONS TO WEAR MAKEUP

A healthy purpose for wearing makeup is to enhance what you already have, not to completely change how you look. Many women wear it to “cover up” what they believe are flaws. There is no need to cover up the features that give you your distinction: moles, freckles, beauty marks, and scars—yes, I said it, scars! Don’t pile that foundation on so heavy that the person in the mirror becomes a stranger. If you’re feeling bold, find a sheer, light coverage foundation that will only partially cover up your beautifully distinctive marks. Look into the mirror, find your favorite facial features, and see how you can enhance those features and make them more noticeable. Brighten up your eyes with mascara and eye shadow, your cheekbones with highlighter, or your lips with a flattering shade!

Another great purpose of makeup is to brighten a morning face. Not many people want to go to work looking tired and out of it. Even a little bit of concealer will quickly cover up any sleep-ridden eyes. No shame here, ladies! Looking awake will make you feel better as well. Speaking of work, wearing a fair amount of makeup shows good professionalism, but wearing too much can be a bad distraction. It’s a good move for a job interview, a meeting, or just a day at the office. Wearing makeup is one way to show good presentation.

 

NEGATIVE REASONS TO WEAR MAKEUP

One of the unhealthiest reasons to wear makeup is to improve your appearance. The media succeeds in injecting young women with insecurity by telling us to hide our freckles, moles, fill in our eyebrows, or lighten or darken our skin tones. Here’s what I want to say, dear one: you cannot improve what is already made perfect. Makeup should be a tool for beauty enhancement and not vanity or to feel “better” about yourself. Remember the true idea of wearing makeup is to make it look as though you’re not wearing any (yes, make it look natural)!

 

WHY DITCH IT OCCASIONALLY?

Going without makeup, even for a day, will give you a sense of freedom from societal standards and from what other people may say or think. You will feel like yourself and not like the other person you draw on your face every day.

Letting your face run naked occasionally will gradually help you become more secure in your own natural beauty and feel more attractive without having to rely on those brushes and eyebrow pencils. Also, if you have sensitive skin that doesn’t handle makeup too well, it’s best to lay off a bit to avoid aggravation.

Other than makeup, another beauty enhancing application is inner beauty. What are your greatest character assets? What is it about you that people will benefit the most from? Magnify those traits! Remember, makeup is temporary, and we can always scrub it off, but inner beauty is water-repellent.

Lastly let others see who you really are, especially your boyfriend who will see you without it eventually. Show him who you are early in the relationship. When you’re relaxing indoors, let your face be free. Even when out on a date, let him see the true you.

You don’t beautify yourselves by applying makeup; you become beautified by taking it off.