Over the summer I had an internship at a big corporation with a semi-professional dress code. While makeup wasn't a requirement, it also didn't feel like a choice, as every woman I met there advised I start wearing makeup if I wanted to be taken seriously.

I had never worn makeup before this summer because I had always savored the few extra minutes of sleep I could get by shortening my morning routine. I definitely had my fair share of insecurities with how I looked, but I compensated with cute outfits and accessories instead of foundation and mascara.

When I first started wearing makeup at work, nothing really changed. My coworkers didn't treat me any differently once I started wearing makeup, and nobody ever made a comment to me if I forgot to "put on my face" in the morning. When I went back to school however, I noticed a huge difference in the way people interacted with me.

I became less invisible around campus.

Before I started wearing makeup to class I found that most conversations I had with people were initiated by me. As an introvert this was particularly frustrating since I often struggle to come up with small talk, especially in a 300 person lecture hall. Since I started wearing makeup I have noticed people initiating conversations with me more often and talking to me in the halls after class, whereas before I could just slip out of the classroom unnoticed.

I have also noticed people smiling at me a lot more than before. I will have at least 3 people smile at me during each passing period between my classes, and girls have been a lot friendlier to me in bathrooms since I began to wear makeup. Before wearing makeup I never expected to be greeted by smiles from strangers in public restrooms, but now it has become a regular occurrence.

College students aren't the only ones who treat me differently.

I have noticed a change in how people interact with me outside of my campus as well. Since I live far from campus I rely on public transportation every day to get to class. I notice that on the weekends when I am wearing my glasses and no makeup hardly anyone will ever sit in the seat next to me, even when the bus is practically full. The bus drivers also tend to ignore me when I say good morning and thank you, treating me like every other passenger.

During the week when I wear makeup to class my bus rides are definitely more pleasant. Normally when I get on the bus the driver will smile and wish me good morning before I have even stepped inside. I also find that people are more willing to sit next to me when I have makeup on, sometimes even sitting next to me when there are entire rows that remain unoccupied.

I have also noticed changes in the way I treat myself.

Before I started wearing makeup I would struggle daily with gaining enough confidence to go to class. I would spend 30 minutes each day looking in the mirror and picking out every flaw, praying if I just washed my face enough and ate right all my blemishes would somehow magically disappear.

When I started wearing makeup I noticed that I felt a lot more comfortable and confident in my skin. I began to take things less personally. If someone was mean to me I began to assume they were simply having a bad day and it wasn't because I was ugly or not wearing makeup. I became a lot kinder to myself, and I have finally begun to believe that even though I may not be pretty enough for a modeling career, I am beautiful in my own unique way.

I never imagined how much makeup would change how I felt about myself or how others perceived me. Part of me is sad that so much of my self-esteem has become wrapped up in the makeup I wear, but a bigger part of me is grateful for the increased confidence and sense of self-worth makeup has blessed me with. Even though I do miss the days where I could snooze my alarm for 30 minutes without consequence, I don't think I will ever be able to go back to my makeup-free life.