I had a guy say to me once, “Why are you wearing makeup? You don’t need to hide around me.” To which I replied, “I’m not hiding.” He then proceeded to tell me, “I know that girls wearing makeup means they think they’re ugly and hate themselves.”

Let’s get one thing very clear. I don't hate myself. I absolutely love myself.

This stigma around makeup being a way for all women to hide their faces because they think they’re ugly is something that I reject and am tired of hearing.

I wear makeup almost every day. NOT because I think I’m ugly. I don’t. I wear it because I like to experiment with it. I like changing things up, doing something new with it. I wear makeup because it’s fun and it’s something I enjoy. Not because I think I’m a god awful ugly human who hates herself.

I understand how makeup can be a detrimental thing to some women. Naomi Wolf coined the term The Beauty Myth meaning that makeup is used as a distraction to women. We become so focused on what we look like that we don’t focus on other maybe more important things. Our efforts are put towards makeup when they could be put elsewhere.

Makeup is expensive, I won’t deny that. If I didn’t wear makeup, I’d honestly be rich. There are things about the cosmetic industry that I don’t agree with. The standard of beauty for one. A tan, but not too dark, blonde woman with a thin face and natural makeup. No flaws, no marks.

Um, please. Who even really looks like that?

My makeup is anything but natural and I have plenty of flaws and marks on my face. Also, I’m basically translucent I’m so pale. I am not the standard of beauty.

But I am still beautiful.

Makeup is a tricky topic. It can be misused to hide someone because they think poorly of themselves. Or it can be used in the way I, and I believe most people, use it. To have fun, experiment and express yourself.

I wear makeup and I put time and effort into my appearance. But I know I am beautiful and worthy regardless of what I wear on my face.

It’s time to change the way we view makeup and the beauty standard. It’s way outdated.