Whenever I scroll through my Facebook feed, I’m honestly never surprised when I come across something that makes me roll my eyes into the back of my head. This image is one such post that I could not believe existed this day and age with over 250,000 likes:

Besides the fact that right off the bat I can name at least five makeup products that the woman pictured is wearing, this post is so wrong to me for so many reasons. I am truly sad that the original poster feels the need to wear makeup just for men, and hope they realize that they don't need to wear it for anyone but themselves. But before I rant, I will start by saying more power to girls who choose not to wear makeup because it is certainly not required of any woman.

I also think that it’s a nice gesture to wear a certain color eyeshadow or lipstick around your significant other because they have said it looks nice on you, and there is obviously no shame whatsoever in getting dolled up to feel extra pretty for your date. However, I have a problem with the main, glaring misconception perpetuated by this image. For years, the media has been suggesting that women who wear makeup do so with the sole intention of attracting men, at the same time tricking them into thinking that they’re prettier than they actually are. This assumption is tired, inaccurate and just plain annoying.

I started wearing makeup when I was in the seventh grade. This may seem young to many, but my purposes for wearing makeup were the same then as they are almost 10 years later. I felt amazing with the longer, darker eyelashes mascara gave me, and with glittery black eyeliner that sparkled in the light.

My mom let me have fun and experiment with different products because she recognized that makeup’s purposes go beyond attracting men. I liked the way I looked with it on, and that was it. I wear makeup only for me, and if I’m being honest, getting compliments from other girls certainly doesn’t hurt. They are the ones who will notice and point out if my eyeshadow or occasional false lashes look particularly nice, and truly nothing makes my heart sing like when another girl tells me I have nice eyebrows.

I did not spend more time and money than I’m proud of, seeking out a limited edition Dior highlighter (please don’t judge me) in the hopes of luring in a man with the glow of my cheekbones, and I do not feel any guilt if they think it is natural. But still, for years, I’ve seen countless articles whose mission is to show me “10 Makeup Trends Guys Hate” or advise me to wear a “more natural look” so I can trick them into thinking I don’t have any on.

Degrading memes of girls before and after applying makeup with the caption, “This is why you take her swimming on the first date,” make it seem like girls think they’re pulling a fast one on men by choosing to wear a full face of makeup. If a guy actually thinks he is being bamboozled by the revelation that you were not in fact born with gold glitter on your eyelids or a completely flawless complexion, then he needs to get over himself. Work that cake face, honey.

P.S. I should mention that makeup isn't just for one gender. Seriously.