People start wearing makeup at different ages. Some as adults, others as teens, still others as pre-teens. (Ever hear of 10-year-olds at Sephora? It’s a thing. Say what you want, but I don’t think kids should be considering makeup in any serious way.)

Personally I didn’t start wearing makeup until sophomore year of college. Even then, it was only for special events. All I cared for was brows and eyes. Crusty lips? Who cared, as long as I had a solid smokey eye!

We live in a time where it’s so easy to learn the best makeup application techniques from experts. On the flip side, it’s a tricky time. As a 19-year-old way back when, I oscillated a fair bit between feeling beautiful naturally and feeling like I wasn’t blessed with the best features. And that was before the internet was flooded with fake images from generative AI. It’s like Photoshop on steroids!

I’m writing this post to remind myself, why makeup anyway? When does it bring value to my life? And when does it detract? I hope you’ll also reflect on these questions as they apply to your life.

The Why’s of Wearing Makeup

So, the first question: when does makeup bring value to my life? I’d call these the why’s of wearing makeup:

• The joys of art and play. It’s so fun and satisfying to experiment with different colors and textures on the most beautiful canvas of all – your face! You can see yourself, reimagined. Certain looks give off a particular vibe or personality – being a tad more polished for work, or being in a lavender haze (think delicate blush). With makeup, it’s possible to artistically reflect what you feel on the inside.
• Confidence boost. I don’t really care if someone has acne or other so-called “imperfections”. Does that reflect who they are on the inside? Absolutely not. Yet we live in a judgmental society where people feel pressured to cover up. It helps to have skincare and makeup options for boosting self-esteem. More confidence can lead to improved social interactions and a more positive outlook, especially on the hard days.
• Makeup therapy. Makeup, believe it or not, can be a form of self-care by way of your own little rituals. As they say, it’s about the journey, not the destination. For example, I find it calming to feel the warmth of my fingertips as I blend products together. The little play space I create helps me feel more self-connected. Add background music and hot tea, and it’s a vibe!

The Why Not’s of Wearing Makeup

Next question: when does makeup detract from my life? I’d call these the why not’s of wearing makeup:

• Pressure / anxiety of adhering to narrow beauty standards. A lot of this comes down to seeing and trying to look like others in order to fit in. It can lead to a vicious cycle of trying but feeling like we’re never good enough, given the perpetuation of unhealthy ideals. This is especially a problem with AI-generated images of people who don’t even exist. I wouldn’t be surprised if most media is somehow doctored. IMHO, makeup is best used when it accentuates features, rather than masking them. Luckily, I think we’re moving into an age where more people are waking up to that idea.
• Crappy ingredients. “TikTok made me buy it.” Did it though? No amount of hype or marketing claims should compel one to buy something if it’s detrimental to wellbeing. The makeup industry is highly unregulated. Several products have allergens, endocrine disruptors, or other ingredients that can long-term issues. One quick no-go test is if there are breakouts after applying something. Sometimes it’s not as obvious – everyone’s skin reacts differently. Do your research and listen to your body!
• Relying on makeup as a proxy for skincare. Several brands claim their makeup has skincare benefits. If those claims hold up, awesome. However, there is no replacement for healthy diets / supplementation, hydration, and skincare (which includes sun care). These do wonders over time. Over. Time. That’s the key here. Makeup is (relatively) quick to see results with, but the other factors I mentioned require patience and TLC.
• Costs. This might be controversial, but I think it’s worth taking the plunge and investing in high-quality products as soon as you can. Of course, this isn’t an option for everyone. The alternative is investing time instead and researching more affordable dupes on the market. Multi-use products also give more bang for your buck.
• Excessive time or effort needed. There’s two ways to interpret this. The first interpretation: you’re excited, but lack the time to accomplish what you want in the morning. This reason is lower down the list because it’s less of a problem with practice. Mastering techniques like blending can boost your confidence, seriously level up your game, and save time. There’s also no end to the number of “10-minute makeup tutorials” – find your ride-or-die! The second interpretation: makeup application is a chore. If it’s not fun anymore, it’s worth trying something different (new technique, new product, etc.) or taking a break altogether.

Finding Your Balance

If there’s anything to take away, it’s that the choice to wear makeup should be one that ultimately adds value to your life.

It’s a very personal choice and should resonate with you: your values, your comfort levels, and your desired level of investment (time, money, etc.)

So I ask you – what are your why’s and why not’s?