Tarte. It Cosmetics. Urban Decay. Too Faced. Becca. Those are just a few of my favorite cosmetic brands. I wouldn't consider myself the biggest makeup fiend I know, but Sephora and Ulta are two frequent offenders on my bank statement every month.

Putting on a full face of makeup is a process, or as I like to think of it, a form of art. I always apply products in this order: primer, foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, eyebrows, and mascara. That is my "everyday face." Of course, for special occasions I spruce things up by applying eye-shadow, eyeliner, and even a highlight.

Although, when I first started to wear my "everyday face" every day, I couldn't bear to see my natural face anymore. I felt like I couldn't leave my house without at least a light layer of foundation, filled in eyebrows, and full, jet-black lashes. And of course, all of my acne had to be masked by concealer, or I would have no choice but to wear a hat to hide behind.

It look me a while to embrace my natural face for what it is. In fact, there are days when I prefer to wear no makeup than wear any at all. I no longer view makeup as something to hide behind, but something that enhances, and further emphasizes my natural beauty. I know I don't "need" to wear makeup, but here are four reasons why I loving wearing it anyways:

1. Makeup enhances your natural beauty.

To reiterate, for a long time I viewed makeup as something that would hide my natural look, and instantly make me feel beautiful. It wasn't until I began to embrace my light blue eyes and porcelain skin that I realized they were beautiful features when left alone, but even more so when highlighted by a coat of mascara or layer of powder. Always remember that you don't need makeup to look or feel beautiful, but you may find that makeup from time to time can make you feel exactly how beautiful you truly are.

2. Makeup can lift your mood.

I live by the motto "if you look good, you feel good." Of course I love leaving my house in sweatpants with a lazy topknot and natural face, but love dressing up and doing my makeup even more. It simply puts me in a better mood because I feel like I've given myself a purpose, and reason to go out and do something during the day.

3. Makeup permits self-expression.

As I said before, makeup is a work of art. It allows us to be creative, and express ourselves using different color palettes, techniques, and so on. Everyone has a different "everyday face," just like everyone has a different "special occasion face." Everyone also goes through experimental periods, which may seem like a waste at times, but they are what allow us to dig deep and discover who we really are.

4. Makeup is a form of empowerment

Makeup, without a doubt, is a form of empowerment not only for women, but even for men who choose to wear makeup. Wearing makeup allows people to feel like the best version of themselves, and causes their inner beauty to radiate outside in a physical form. By applying makeup, we can highlight our best features in a bold way, or even change our features we don't necessarily love. Makeup gives us the power to look how we want to look, whenever we want to look that way. But of course, never forget that going natural can be just as much of a statement.

Going natural or wearing a full face of makeup are two completely different looks, but equally as beautiful as one another. I no longer get offended when someone tells me I don't "need" makeup. I used to believe people would only tell me that to make me feel better about myself, but now I understand why they would say that in the first place.

If you can take one thing out of reading this article, remember that you're beautiful, both inside and out, and whether or not you wear makeup will not change that. But of course, makeup is always a way to enhance your unique, individual beauty, and make you feel it from the inside out.