I know some people think makeup is frivolous and shallow, but I beg to differ. I don't wear makeup just to be a pretty girl. Makeup, for me, is an art form - other people work with pencils or paint or pastels, so why can't I work with powders and creams and gels and call it art? Makeup isn't just about looking good, it's about being able to change your persona with the stroke of a brush. It's self-expression using your actual self (your face). I love seeing how colors and texture and finish come together. I love how one little thing can completely change my face.
Also, I wear makeup for myself and myself alone. No one's pressuring me to do it. Jimmy couldn't care less (in fact, he wishes I wasn't so obsessed with it). I'm not submitting to a societal expectation. I'm just making myself happy. I don't feel bad about myself when I don't wear makeup, but I do definitely feel awesome when I am wearing it. I feel empowered; my confidence is boosted. And I'm not the only one - there are countless of women for whom one swipe of a brilliant red lipstick makes a huge difference.
I try to keep up with the trends - my favorite beauty blogs are Temptalia and Makeup Geek, which do both reviews and makeup tutorials. I have a tendency to stalk the UD counter at Macy's and at Sephora. At any given time, I've got a beat on what products are available exclusively at each location and on the website. They should really hire me :)
Well, for more about my makeup love, please check out my blog (linked above and in the sidebar) - there's a full history of my makeup obsession, my quest for the perfect red, and a full swap list (I love to swap makeup I don't use anymore because otherwise it just sits there.)