Like most girls my age, I've had my fair share of makeup milestones — from buying my first three dollar eyeshadow quad at a local pharmacy to splurging on a $50 ABH palette at Sephora. Based on my already growing collection, it's evident that I've been in the game for a little too long, fondly looking at the days of uneven eyeliner and blue eyeshadow.
If you're like me, you'll probably recognize these five stages that every makeup lover goes through.
The Newbie
GiphyYou were probably 11 or 12, going through your older sister's makeup collection — or perhaps stealing a couple of lipsticks without being noticed. Either way, you were curious and wanted to discover what it was like wearing makeup.
When you did wear makeup, it was probably for a special occasion — just a swipe of mascara and a dab of glittery lip gloss.
The ExperimenterÂ
GiphyAfter enough convincing, your parents finally let you wear makeup to school. You spent your week's worth of babysitting money at your local drug store, stocking up on three dollar mascara, basic eyeshadow quads and sticky five dollar lipgloss.
You weren't so sure how to apply makeup, or better yet, how to properly blend your eyeshadow. Your completed look was a shimmery silver shadow with a (semi-completed) cat eye and a bright pink lipstick, topped with a sheer coat of lipgloss.
Your friends thought you were cool, and you thought you looked bomb doing your own makeup for school. Looking back, you don't know why your parents allowed you to wear that much makeup as a pre-teen.
The Makeup GuruÂ
GiphyAfter watching enough YouTube videos and practicing your craft, you improved from your days of middle school makeup. You could do a cat eye in your sleep and have already mastered the smokey eye.
You probably considered pursuing a career in makeup artistry too.
The HoarderÂ
GiphySephora is practically your second home. You achieved VIB Rouge status in less than two months, and you probably cannot count how many eyeshadow palettes you own.
If Too Faced is having a product launch or your favourite beauty guru is having a local meet and greet, you're already first in line. You swear by any high-end beauty brand and don't remember the last time you stepped foot in the drug store.
Your wallet is begging for you to stop.
The Occasional Makeup LoverÂ
GiphyWhere and how did you manage to buy three dark lipstick shades that look exactly the same?
You're finally coming to your senses (and clearing your makeup drawer after years of hoarding). Sure, it's fun to play around and indulge a bit, but you know that you don't need makeup to be happy or to look good.
You're fine with your staple eyeshadow palette and eyeliner.