Why do I wear so much make up?

Because I want to.

 End of blog. Case closed. Discussion over.

 Okay fine I won't leave it there.. I suppose i’ll indulge on the topic a bit further...you're welcome.

 This always strikes me as an odd question - because well, why not? And more importantly, why is it any of your business what anyone decides to wear on their face? If I want to slap on a highlighter so bright the moon gets jealous then damn, I WILL.

 I'd overheard a colleague ask this very question about me - something along the lines of “why does Hayley wear so much make up? Is it because she's really insecure and feels she needs to? I bet she’d look so pretty without it.”

Well thanks for your two pence Sally, but I don't decide whether or not to wear make up to impress middle aged women like yourself - nor do I do it to mask the dragon scales beneath a layer of Estee Lauder’s Double Wear. I do it because I want to. (Her name wasn't actually Sally by the way but I'm being nice and not naming and shaming.)

 I like to look made up. I take pride in my appearance and I love how a red lipstick can take me from feeling ‘meh’ to ‘hell yeah.’ I love the glamour of the 1950s when women took looking made up to the next level and wouldn't leave the house without a bouncy Barnet and rouge on their lips. Whilst I'm by no means in their league and will still frequent Tesco without a bra and sans slap - generally my day to day ‘look’ is more made up than some.

 This prompts a variety of reactions. Some women feel you're intimidating and not a very nice person. You only have to hear how some will avoid the girls who work on make up counters for this very reason, and as someone who has worked on a make up counter I can assure you that all your fears are true.

 Just kidding.

 There is no link to liking make up and being a bitch. If you're a bitch you're a bitch - let's leave make up out of it.

 Another reaction is that you're vain and love yourself. Firstly, loving yourself shouldn't be seen as a negative trait - it should be embraced. As women we put ourselves down all too often - I myself am terrible at taking compliments but I'm trying to love myself more and so should you. As for vanity, if you're not hurting anyone else or being a bit of a bellend about it, then who cares? Look in the mirror and like what you see - I won't tell anyone.

 My least favourite reaction comes from those that rarely wear any make up and will throw you a backhanded compliment like - “I have no idea how you wear make up every day, I don't have the TIME.’ Ah yes, the time trumpers. The ones who will make out that their life is waaaay too busy to sweep on a bit of blusher but will also be the person who sends you a million candy crush invites on Facebook. What was that about time again?

 Then there’s always the one smug person who will pretend that they're above make up because they don't ‘need it.’ Fair enough if you don't WANT it, but the word ‘need’ suggests that those who do wear make up can't ever do without it, as opposed to them just liking it. I don't need make up - nobody does, but I bloody love it.

 One of the most rewarding experiences for me to date was when I worked on a make up counter and did a makeover on a lady who had recently been through chemo. She didn't want much make up generally - but what was most important to her was she wanted her brows back, so I set about making them look as natural as I could. The lady was so happy with the finished result - she thanked me and told me she felt much more confident already. I glowed with pride for the rest of the day - the fact that I'd managed to help this woman gain even a little bit of confidence was all I needed.  

 That's the thing. Make up is a powerful tool - it allows you to experiment with your look and be whoever you want to be. I would never claim to be the most confident person without make up which is why putting my bare face out there is a big deal to me, but with it? I feel like I can conquer the world.

 Or at least conquer Monday.

HayleyHeartsxo