A splash of water on both cheeks and a rub of a towel. For some girls, that is all the preparation necessary for them to be able to face the day. However, for others, more elements are needed. Contrary to popular belief, though this requires few extra minutes out of their day, this makeup gives these girls the strength and confidence to tackle anything that comes their way.

Junior Hannah Glaser says that she began wearing makeup in the seventh grade. According to Glaser, makeup can help provide confidence for some people as long as they do not develop a dependency on it.

“In the ninth grade I had a major surgery and I wasn’t really feeling good about myself, so I would do my makeup and that would make me feel a lot better,” Glaser said.

Similarly, senior Julia Weller says she began wearing makeup on an everyday basis in the seventh grade. Weller said previous to middle school, her aunt, who had studied cosmetology, would come and teach some makeup skills to her and her sister. Weller says that nearly all of her skills originated from her aunt’s instruction.

“[There was] a little bit of [self teaching] just [since] the trends are kind of different and not everything is exactly the same as she learned,” Weller said. “I guess I kind of learned the new makeup trends but most of it was from her.”

For the past two years, Weller has been creating videos about makeup and posting them on her YouTube channel, “Julia8116Beauty.” Weller says she created her YouTube channel after receiving several compliments on her makeup, as well as questions regarding her process.

“It is like a hobby for me,” Weller said. “With YouTube I can put [the makeup] on and then I like editing the videos, so it is a whole process.”

Senior Nicole Ivanova says that she believes there to be a stigma surrounding girls who either wear makeup frequently, or wear more than the usual amount. However, Ivanova says that it is important to remain true to oneself and one’s own style.

“If you consider the eyeliner and the fake eyelashes beautiful then all the power to you,” Ivanova said. “At the end of the day if you find it an appropriate fit for you, you should stick with it and it doesn’t really matter what other people say.”

Glaser also finds there to be a stigma surrounding makeup. Glaser says that not only does the stereotype not apply to her, but she does not believe it to be accurate in general.

“People always think that if you are wearing makeup you are trying to impress someone or you are doing it just so you can get guys,” Glaser said. “I feel like you do it for yourself. You’re not doing it to impress people, you’re not doing it to make yourself look different, you’re doing it to enhance your features and to have fun with it.”

When getting into the more complex levels of makeup, Glaser says she considers it an art form. However, Ivanova says she does not believe makeup can be considered an art form unless something truly unique is being done.

“I think you can only label [makeup] as artistic when you start wearing really heavy eyeshadow or start experimenting with really bright colors or something that is not very ordinary,” Ivanova said. “I definitely don’t think it’s reached that level of being an art form. I think it is more self-expression and confidence.”

According to Ivanova, the high price of quality makeup does not deter her from purchasing it, because confidence is priceless. Ivanona says that if one’s makeup style makes them feel beautiful personally, they should pursue it despite possible dissenting opinions.

“Beauty is not about a bunch of ink or a bunch of powder or concealer that is being put on your face,” Ivanova said. “That is your expression, that is your confidence, that is your boldness coming out. You can’t put such tangible labels on [beauty].”