Four hundred twenty-nine dollars. That's how much the makeup look I'm wearing in the cover photo of this article cost me. And yes, you read that right, $429. From the 6 different palettes used, the brushes, the beauty blenders, and every other product in between... $429.

To make what could be a very long story short, my hobby is expensive. But that's exactly what it is: my hobby. I have spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars on makeup in the past few years simply because I enjoy doing it. Period.

And I will be completely honest, I know that when I walk into a lecture hall on exam day with a full face of makeup, what everyone in that room is assuming. That I, someone who has rarely been seen without pounds of makeup on, is too insecure to even go one day without caking product after product on my face.

Wrong.

I do not wear makeup because I am insecure. I mean, yeah, I obviously am aware of the fact that I look a lot better with makeup on than I do without. But I am still confident enough in myself to go in public without wearing any. In reality, I wear the amount of makeup that I do because I am actually confident in myself.

Every time that I apply anything more than just foundation and mascara, I know that I am taking a risk. I'm aware that the average person does not wear pink eyeshadow and winged eyeliner on the daily. I wear this much makeup because I am confident in my ability to make my makeup look good, even if I'm wearing way more of it in a way more dramatic way than what the average person finds acceptable.

I wear makeup because, as cocky as it sounds, I'm good at it. I did not spend years and years practicing how to blend eyeshadow properly not to show it off every day.

And the best part is, makeup is fun! I go to bed every night excited and thinking about what kind of look I'm going to go for tomorrow. Then I get to wake up in the morning and make my vision come of life. There is nothing more thrilling to me than that.

So, while I may be looked at to some as somebody who is extremely insecure and needs to hide behind makeup to make myself feel better, know that is the exact opposite. Makeup is my passion, my talent, my art form. Just as you would never question why an artist spends every second they get to painting, or an athlete practicing, I should not be questioned for what I put on my face.

How wonderful is it that I have a hobby that I get to practice every day and use to express myself, NOT hide behind?!