About a year ago, I decided to stop by Sephora and take a look at the products instead of hoarding free samples. I fell in love with the colors, the smells, and started to view makeup as a form of art. I began to use my face as a canvas and for the next few months, I spent time and money learning how to perfect the art of painting it.

For all of my fellow makeup-lovers, I'm sure you can relate. For those who are moving towards that direction, be prepared for the following journey:

1. Learning What Everything is Used For (and How)

Foundation. Tinted moisturizer. Primer. There is so much you don't know, but you're incredibly willing to learn. What type of foundation goes best with normal, dry, and oily skin? What colors go with your undertones? How the hell you do properly apply concealer? How on earth does one contour without looking like a clown?

You binge on Youtube tutorials until you feel prepared to step foot into a beauty store again.

2. Your Hand Becomes Abstract Art

Once you're brave enough to face the intimidating selection at the beauty store, you begin trying everything. Everything. You start with swatches on your hand. When you run out of room on both hands, you start testing products on your forearm. Then, you admit defeat, use makeup remover and start all over.

This goes on until you find the perfect shades. At around this time, you begin to lose trust in makeup ads and realize that the beautiful fuchsia lipstick shade you fell in love with looks terrible on you. Liars.

3. You Discover the Power of Brushes

For a while, you rely on cheap brushes or steal a couple from your mom's makeup stash. After you have had enough of your makeup brushes shedding, you take a trip to the beauty store and head over to the petting zoo. You brush your hands on the rows of brushes and try your best to not rub your face against their softness (unfortunately, I gave in and got caught).

You discover the difference between a powder brush, a blush brush, and the different types of eyeshadow brushes. After you buy your new tools, you spend some time rubbing them against your face before you try them. Once you do, your makeup routine is transformed and you vow to never let your new babies go.

4. You Upgrade

Now that you consider yourself an amateur makeup artist, you begin to spoil yourself with more expensive brands. You cry a little on the inside every time you swipe your card, but you feel less guilty once you try the new products and feel the quality difference.

At this point, you feel like a total badass when you go to the store because you know the pros and cons of each brand and product.

5. You Realize You're Fucking Beautiful

When you finish your makeup routine, you think "damn, I look good."

And when you wipe off all of the makeup, you check yourself out and say "damn, I still look so fucking good."

There are people who question why you're always wearing makeup and you get tired of explaining that you're not putting it on for anybody but yourself. What's wrong with wanting to look nice? Why am I being judged if it's my face and my decision?

Makeup gives you a different look, not a different identity. You know you're beautiful with or without it, so you rock whatever you feel like wearing. It's your face and your choice, after all.