When I was younger, confidence was something I knew nothing about. I looked up to my family members who mostly consisted of women, and thought that they were so beautiful and that I could never compare. As the years went by, I struggled with my self-esteem and confidence all throughout Middle school and High school. Although it may have seemed like I was a happy-go-lucky teenager, behind closed doors I was really struggling to find myself. Eventually, I started watching YouTube videos and would see girls applying their own makeup and looking so confident while doing it. I began to play with makeup myself and liked the way it made me feel.

Makeup was a way out for me. It was the blanket that covered all of my insecurities for a very long time. It got so bad that I would never leave the house without it on. I ONLY felt comfortable with myself when I had makeup on.

As I got older, through many meltdowns and mental breakdowns, I finally became stronger. I started seeing myself in a different light and I knew that in order for me to be successful and actually make a difference in my life, I was going to have to change something. I wanted to be happy and at that moment I knew what had to change. I started watching many self-help and inspiring Youtube videos, I would go to my local bookstore and for hours read self-help books, and eventually I saw small changes in me.

Now, I can proudly say that although I have my off days, I am more confident than I have ever been. Makeup is no longer necessary for me. I wear it because I love it and because I enjoy it, NOT because I need it to feel comfortable anymore.

I hope that this inspires you all to be confident with or without makeup. We all have struggles and we all go through hard times, but never forget that the real beauty comes from the person you are within.