Wearing your identity: How makeup shapes who we are

Have you ever wondered why you do your makeup in a certain way? There's psychology behind the way we reveal our identities—one look at a time.

When I was 19, I remember painting my eyelids with bold colors to rebel against my parents, who confined me to the walls of their authority. I felt empowered, mature, and in charge of the life I was creating despite the awkward glances I ignored from people on the street. If you think makeup doesn't matter, you're wrong. I was sent home from my job at a bakery on New Year's Eve 2018 because of how I showed up for work. My bosses were extremely conservative, and while I wasn't in drag, the way I expressed myself didn't sit well with them. I was sent home, not because we were overstaffed, but because my look didn't align with the business's needs. Appearance matters, and the power of transformation through cosmetics is overlooked but not understated.

There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to wear heavy eyeliner, bold blush, or no makeup at all. Each makeup application is an excerpt from the memoir we're writing, reflecting who we are when our circumstances shape our signature look. Have you ever thought twice about wearing blue eyeshadow to a corporate job interview, or black eyeliner to meet your boyfriend's parents? You're not alone. However, there's a fine line between wearing what's "appropriate" and masking your identity to be accepted.

People will treat you the way you look, so stay aware of social cues, but don't be intimidated by them. When dissecting the world of beauty, cosmetics, and personal care, let's not pretend our reputations aren't built on the allure of our appearance. A hairdresser with a bad dye job or a makeup artist with cakey foundation?—you can't monetize your craft if you're not taken seriously. There's an image we project whenever we step out of the house, which is why societal expectations shouldn't dictate our sense of self. I work in cosmetics and notice that clients treat me differently when I have a face to back up my recommendations. They ask fewer questions and reconsider their commentary rather than interrupt. I also don't just sell products. I sell the company—and I take pride in that.

Wearing makeup isn't only about looking pretty. It's a lifestyle, a behavior, and a way to command a room without saying a word. If we're frank, it's not the makeup you wear but how you wear it. With social media flooding our feeds, it's crucial to stand out from the crowd. Slap on black lipstick, rock a glitter inner corner, or celebrate your blemish-free complexion — but do it unapologetically, in a way that shows, not tells.

All judgment aside, who are we performing for? Stop with the trends—wear the makeup that demands attention. If you catch yourself straying from who you are, you're an eyelash bat away from an identity revamp.