From Duckling to Diva: My relationship with makeup

From left to right: One of our neighbors; myself; my younger brother, Adrian; and my uncle, Garrick. Circa 2002

I don’t know that I had much choice in being a tomboy. Growing up, I was the only girl in my immediate family and one in a sprinkling of girls on my block.

I climbed trees and rode bikes because I found it more entertaining than gossiping. Plus, I had a notoriously bad habit of destroying dolls. I spent most of the time running around with the long-legged, knock-kneed, lanky boys on my block, my uncle's friends.

Eventually, I’d experience puberty and become more aware of the divide between boys and girls. I’d never be a “girly-girl” though—covered in pink, hair and nails perfectly done.

Around 13 years old, I would briefly experiment with makeup: dollar store lip gloss, sparkly eyeshadow, and black eyeliner. But I quickly wrote it off as something that just wasn’t for me, only wearing makeup to special occasions like weddings, funerals, and prom.

I kept that same energy throughout my high school and most of my undergrad career. My curiosity in makeup was suddenly renewed during my final year at the University of Houston, due in part to my budding kinship with my soror, Chantel Smith.

Another contributing factor, according to Grazia Daily, is the rise of social media as well as beauty superstores like Sephora and Ulta, according to CNBC.

My own makeup-loving journey is a prime example. Around 2009, I bought a jar of BareMinerals matte foundation in warm tan and used it until it ran out. In 2015, I purchased another jar or that same exact foundation from Ulta. But there’s a lot of cool stuff in Ulta and, of course, I got a rewards card when the cashier asked. I remember going on a mini-shopping spree for Covergirl mascaras and eyeshadows not too long after that and popping into the store for face masks and bath bombs.

I started searching YouTube for makeup tutorials for Halloween or New Year’s Eve looks. I started to do my makeup for brunch and followed YouTubers like Ellarie and Makeupshayla for inspiration. Slowly, over time, I started to like doing my makeup, even when I didn’t get it exactly right. Yes, it made me look prettier, but it was mostly for fun.

I would eventually start following ColourPop cosmetics on Instagram, lusting after their eye-catching eyeshadow palettes. I finally ordered their "You Had Me At Hello" and "Element of Surprise" palettes in January of 2018. Then I fell in love.

Five months later, when they dropped their No Filter foundations ($12), I ordered the liquid matte foundation, shade dark 155, and loose setting powder in banana ($9). Since then, I've ordered even more makeup and let go of the notion that makeup isn't for me. I find it exciting and I look forward to perfecting my technique. I'll begin by experimenting with the Zulu and Afrique palettes from Juvia's Place!