Moisturizer, Serum, Primer, Foundation, Concealer, Powder, Blush, Bronzer, Eyeshadow, Eyeliner, Lipstick, Highlighter, Mascara. I walked into Sephora yesterday to buy a new eyeshadow and walked out an hour later with $100 worth of makeup I didn't necessarily need. I was first exposed to makeup at a young age. I grew up studying dance so I was always required to wear it for competitions or performances. In high school I started training classically, which meant I was wearing a leotard and tights everyday. That's also when I started wearing makeup everyday. I hated myself and my body, but at least my face could look pretty. I realized much later that it doesn't matter how flawless your skin looks, or how long your eyelashes are if you aren't happy on the inside. It's mind boggling that a multi billion dollar industry can be built on the foundation of women's insecurities. Insecurities that are fabricated by a team of marketing executives.
Is it ironic that I'm pursuing a career in marketing in the beauty industry? But why wouldn't I? Beauty standards have been shoved down my throat since I was a pre-teen. It's the one thing I can confidently say I'm an expert in. Talk about a vicious cycle. My hope is that I can play some small role in changing those standards of beauty. I'm a firm believer that when you look your best you feel your best. Makeup is fantastic when it is used to enhance natural beauty - not mask it. In my opinion, confidence is the best makeup.