Makeup Mysteries

March 08, 2019

This post is about a subject I personally never found myself profoundly or particularly interesting. Maybe because I am an athlete, maybe because I thought it was a waste of time and money, or simply maybe because I totally have no knowledge whatsoever on how to use it.

Now, you might be curious to know what I am talking about. 

Cosmetic, makeup, beauty products. That’s what I am talking about.
Last weekend, I was shopping in Richmond Center for my girl friend’s birthday present. I found myself going into Sephora and realizing that I knew absolutely nothing about the beauty, skin care world - everything I don’t understand was all in one place.

You must be wondering, “What is wrong with this girl?” Well, I don’t wear makeup, aside from my $5 Minnoso mascara, which could last me literally 1 year or 2 at this point. I believe the most expensive mascara I ever possessed was either Dior or YSL, and I got it as a gift from my aunt. 

I, myself is not a makeup person. Probably like many others, beauty stores scare me as they are overflowing with products for every single area of a woman’s facial area. Just like some of you, I have no idea about facial creams, highlighters, eyeliners, lipsticks or chapsticks (I even used google for these.) It’s completely out of my league and I would rather spend that money on a new pair of Air Max 720s to be brutally honest with you. 

So yes, I will admit, spending money on makeup for me is a waste. 

After entering Sephora I started walking back and forth, from every single aisle shaking my head and wondering what I could possibly buy that she would need or that she doesn’t already have. Overwhelmingly enough, they have it all: perfume (too personal for me), brushes, facial creams, hair products, facial oils, eye crayons, and lipstick sections. Then looking around at all the women jostling for mirrors, trying on lipsticks and eyeliners, and whatever products they had in their hands I started to feel out of place.
Have you ever felt this way? Being in one place and feel like you don't belong there at all?

I admit, sometimes I wish I knew how to apply makeup but then, I remind myself how happy I am that I don’t have to wake up early, or spend an hour in front of the mirror to apply it. 
On New Year’s Eve though, my friends sort of compel me to go to Nordstrom and do a makeup trial. Can you believe it, they do your makeup for free, on top of teaching you few tricks. So why not? Great way to start 2019 by  trying something fun and new for myself. So I walked into Nordstrom and to my surprised I saw millions of women rushing and standing in line to every makeup lady working, wanting to have their makeup done. 

Gosh! I freaked out, but I was also like I’m here so might as well swoop in and get something done. So here I was sitting at the Clinic Beauty Makeup counter unsure staring at the makeup lady staring at me. I slowly open my mouth and told her I was going for a natural, pure, minimal look. 
And here she was analyzing and dissecting my face while grabbing products left and right. Soon enough, she started applying one cream, then another, then it was a sponge, and brush and something else, one after another. I’ll be honest, my mind was going a 100 miles per hours. I was literally freaking out inside and wondering why is she using all these products, brushes and sponges. For someone that has no knowledge on makeup and never put anything on her face. It was more stressful than having to step on a basketball court before a game. 
After the last touch, she handed me the mirror and when I looked at myself in the mirror I was literally in shocked. I didn’t want to be rude in any way, but I think the fact I wasn’t used to wearing anything on my face I was taking a back. Seriously, I didn’t like it at all. And it wasn’t because she didn’t do a good job but because I wasn’t used to seeing myself with makeup. I felt so insecure and the first thing that pop up in my head was the word “Clown,” I thought I looked like a clown, literally. 

A part of me felt so bad because of the expression that must of been printed on my face. Deep down, I felt so self conscious, embarrassed, and ugly that I force myself to buy products to thank her. In that moment, I understood exactly why some of my friends said they couldn’t get out the house without having their eyebrows or mascara done. For the same reason I didn’t want to walk in public with makeup on. 
Makeup is an amazing tool and does incredible thing for men and women by enhancing people’s beauty, facial features and boosting people’s confidence by making people feel more comfortable with themselves. I envy them in some ways, because you are "Makeup masters." You guys are artists in your own way, and do an amazing job in helping people who have insecurities, confidence issues and self-doubt.

But again, I am sure I am not the only one who feel that makeup is not 100% necessary. It might sounds really catchy and I don't care because I will say it anyway; no matter how much makeup you put on, that it is for others or yourself, the most important thing is what is inside of you and what kind of personality you have. You can be good looking on the outside and ugly on the inside and all the makeup in the world won't change that. Yes, makeup can bring you confidence, self-reassurance and whatnot, however, I truly believe that everyone has "un je ne sais quoi!" You just got to find it and with or without makeup everyone, in their own and unique way is beautiful.
Even though it might not be my cup of tea I would like to learn how to take care of my skin better, like going for a face treatment, and looking into products that are at the same time, good for the environment and made from natural ingredients. Even to wash my face since for some of you, water and soap doesn’t count as a typical cleanser. Please share your beauty and skin routine, maybe products or even advises on how to keep my skin glowing, fresh and hydrated. Since I got back to Canada, my skin as been dry like the desert. A little help here would be greatly appreciated!

As a rookie, you guys can actually teach me 2 or 3 tricks and I look forward to hearing your advice on what’s in your makeup bag. Once I get a good list I’ll be able to give you an update on each product and see how it’s going for me.

Time to learn from you makeup experts!

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