Why I Love Makeup And Why It’s So Much More Than Just "Getting Ready"

There’s something magical about the moment you step in front of the mirror. It’s just you, your reflection, and the ritual of getting ready. At first, it might feel routine, even a bit mechanical. But somewhere in that process, something shifts. You look up and suddenly, you see a bit more of you. There’s a connection, this slight smile that says, “Okay, I see you.” That’s the power of makeup — it’s not about transforming into someone else. It’s about showing up as the most vibrant, confident version of yourself.

Fashion gets to be celebrated as a form of self-expression, whether it’s the statement of a patterned jacket or the comfort of a favorite pair of jeans. But for some reason, makeup still comes with baggage. It’s seen as something we “need” in order to cover up, to fix flaws, to meet expectations. But what if we left that thinking behind? What if makeup was simply about joy, about art, about embracing every mood, every whim, everything that makes us who we are?

Makeup is not about hiding; it’s about stepping out with more light, holding your head a bit higher, and facing the world with more confidence. It’s this powerful, playful tool to help us show up fully as us. It’s a secret confidence boost, something that lets you walk taller, and say, “This is me.”

Yes — sometimes we use it to help with things we’d rather change; covering up dark circles, softening lines we might feel self-conscious about. But what if we stopped seeing makeup as something we need to be complete? What if, instead, we saw it as just another beautiful, personal way of showing up as ourselves, like the way we choose an outfit or put on our favorite piece of jewelry?

Here’s an invitation for you: the next time you’re getting ready — whether it’s for a big night out or a regular Thursday — give yourself some extra time to enjoy it. Let getting ready become an experience in itself. Hold up your clothes, smile at yourself in the mirror, and ask, “How do I want to feel tonight?” Maybe it’s a darker, smoky eye and a nude-toned lip to bring out your natural features, or maybe it’s the day to go bold with a statement lip or a bright color on your eyelids. As you move through your routine, try to let go of the “rules” about what’s right or wrong. Forget about the “correct” way to hold a mascara wand or the step-by-step eyeshadow tutorial you once memorized from an influencer. Instead, see yourself as the artist and your face as the canvas. Trust your instincts and follow what excites you in the moment.

Because at its core, that’s what makeup is: a way to get closer to yourself, to tune into your mood, to play around until you’re looking at a version of yourself that you love. And that’s where the true magic of makeup lies — when you let it become less about how you look to others and more about how you feel about yourself.