Makeup: one of many forms of self-expression that also helps to cover blemishes and accent facial features. Although makeup is never a necessity for beauty, it can certainly help a person feel more confident and can therefore be rather helpful; however, there are quite a few misconceptions about makeup, including what types are necessary and what should not be worn. The following are some of these misconceptions about makeup:

1. "Applying makeup is a time and money drain."

Although applying makeup may be time-consuming at first, it does not always have to be that way; with experience, you can shorten the time required to apply makeup. Furthermore, money does not have to be expensive. Although there are many high-dollar brands available, those brands are not necessary, nor are they your only option.

2. "Drugstore brands are cheaper because they don't work."

Just because the product is not as expensive as the luxury brand, that does not make it less expensive. Trust me, there is no reason to spend $20 on a beautyblender sponge when you can spend $7 on a Real Techniques sponge (which works just as well as the beautyblender).

3. "I'm not pretty enough for that bold of a color!"

There is no such thing as being not pretty enough for a shade of makeup. Although it is perfectly acceptable to shy away from bolder colors because they are too dramatic for your taste, one should never avoid a color because they do not think they are worthy of it. If you like that dark purple lipstick, wear that dark purple lipstick!

4. "Eyelash curlers are painful to use."

Eyelashes curlers are meant to pinch your lashes in a way that helps them stand upward, making them appear longer and fuller. Although eyelash curlers should be used at the very base of the eyelashes, they should not be pinching skin – which would cause pain. Eyelashes have no nerves, so if you’re in pain while using an eyelash curler, you’re curling more than just your eyelashes.

5. "Makeup just feels too heavy on the face."

Although some products are very heavy on the face, this is not true about all products. If you do not like wearing makeup because your foundation feels too heavy, try switching to a more lightweight alternative, such as Revlon Colorstay Makeup or Covergirl Outlast Stay Foundation. If you feel that these lightweight alternatives are still too heavy on your face, you can simply opt to wear no foundation at all.

6. "I can't find a foundation in my shade. I must have an odd skin complexion."

Foundation shades very rarely match your skin tone perfectly because there are far too many different shades of skin to make a foundation color that perfectly matches each one. Therefore, instead of trying one foundation that fits perfectly, you can get two or three different shades (some that are a little darker than your complexion, some that are a little lighter) and mix them together to make your own custom color.

7. "Pump mascara to get rid of clumps."

DO NOT DO THIS. Instead of getting rid of clumps, pumping the mascara wand in the tube actually creates clumps because you’re creating air bubbles. Instead, try twirling the wand in the tube.

8. "Test foundation colors on your hand to see if it matches your complexion."

Your hand and your face receive different amounts of sun exposure, so they are not the same shade. Although this difference in shade is subtle, it can be significant enough to cause you to choose the wrong shade of foundation. Instead of testing foundation colors on your hand, test them on your neck, which is much closer in coloration to your face.

9. "That makeup clogs your pores! Take it off and let your skin breathe."

Skin doesn’t breathe. Although it isn’t great for skin to have your pores clogged, it is not as unhealthy as some people make it out to be. As long as you effectively remove the makeup that clogs your pores, you’ll be fine.

10. "People who wear makeup are just insecure about their appearance."

Although some people use makeup to cover insecurities, it should never be assumed that anyone who wears makeup does so because they are too insecure to leave their house without it. Most people use makeup to highlight or accent features of their face they do like, not cover features they do not like.

11. "You shouldn't wear dramatic makeup because boys don't like that."

Too bad I’m not wearing makeup for boys; I’m wearing makeup for myself because I like the way I look with makeup. Why would I spend that much time and money trying to impress people when their opinions on my appearance mean nothing me?

12. "Makeup is false advertising."

Too bad I’m not a product being sold so I am therefore not advertising myself to begin with. Makeup is a form of self-expression, not a way to trick people into liking you only to later reveal their true form.

13. "Makeup is only for girls!"

Historically, makeup was a way for people of any gender to show how wealthy they were, seeing as it was a luxury not afforded by all. Today, makeup is simply a form of self-expression – for anyone. There are no gender requirements for makeup, so anyone who wants to wear makeup should wear makeup.