16. Get ready with me
When I was younger, I would admire my mum applying her makeup and marvel at the products she was using. I’ve always been quite a “girly girl”, but the older I get, the more I love doing my makeup.
In year seven, I messaged my friend on Skype and asked if she was wearing makeup that day at school. I was worried because I didn’t want to be embarrassed if I were wrong, but then again, it looked like she had crumbly cake under her eyes (she tried her best). My friend said yes and sent me a zoomed-in, pixelated photo of her eye with spidery mascara lashes. I screenshot it because I was a weirdo, but also because it was so exciting to 12-year-old me that we were entering that stage of life. When my Mum let me buy some mascara, putting it on was the highlight of every day. I felt so grown up, sending a sign that I was maturing.
From year nine to year twelve, beauty YouTubers reigned my afternoons after school, hypnotising me with their “GRWM” videos and rambling explanations of a blush you could only buy in the United States. Whether you wore makeup or not in these school years seemed particularly contentious. Amongst friends, some weren’t allowed to wear makeup, and others judged friends for wearing it at all. I fear that beauty standards for young girls are only getting worse, and the expectations of what products they are using are much higher (just search the 10-year-olds at Sephora epidemic).
Some beauty creators and influencers are my favourite people on the internet right now. TikTok is essentially my new YouTube to watch videos of creators applying their makeup and rambling on, taking me back to the calm of my year ten bedroom. Doing my makeup is highly therapeutic, zoning out and vibing with my favourite music. Even better, talking and singing while getting ready with a friend before a night on the town.
I don’t see makeup and other beauty treatments as deceitful or materialistic; it’s just another little part of life that brings me joy. I don’t think the negativity and stigma around wearing “a lot” of makeup gets addressed enough. There’s so much positivity to come from something that can boost someone’s confidence. Whether that be sunglasses, a haircut, or a new outfit you’ve had your eye on for weeks. Makeup is just another temporary thing to add some pep in your step. It's something different for everyone and can change every day. Whatever floats your boat.
