One of the biggest misconceptions is that women wear makeup because they are insecure or not comfortable in their own skin, and that they are trying to hide something.

For me, and for many artists, makeup is not a mask—it is an art form. Just like a painter uses a canvas resting on an easel, we use our faces to create. I am someone who is perfectly comfortable going bare-faced; in fact, I wear my natural skin very often, especially as a busy student. When I do wear makeup, it is never to hide, but to express creativity, skill, and vibrancy. Even if the intention is simply to enhance what is already there, why is that seen as a flaw? Enhancing one’s natural beauty should never be equated to insecurity.

Another harmful misunderstanding is the assumption that we do this for “male validation” or to please others. I remember a specific moment where I was reapplying lip gloss late at night, simply because my lips were dry and needed hydration, yet someone assumed I was doing it to catch someone’s attention.

The reality is, we do this for ourselves first. We wear what makes us feel good, what makes us feel creative, and what makes us feel confident. Our choices belong to us, and they are never about fitting into someone else’s expectations.