Wake Up and Makeup

Makeup is a form of art. For some people, it’s a way to express themselves. Makeup or no makeup, loving yourself is key to self confidence. 

Sephora, a store filled with makeup brands such as Benefit Cosmetics, Tarte, and MAC, was established in Paris, France in 1970. Sephora was acquired by Dominique Mandonnaud in 1993 after launching his perfume under the Sephora brand. The store offers over 300 brands of beauty products, including cosmetics, skincare, body, fragrance, nail color, beauty tools, and haircare. 

On the other hand, Ulta Beauty is the largest beauty retailer in the United States and was established in 1990 by Dick George, Terry Hanson, and Richard E. George. Ulta offers cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products as well as salon services. Ulta offers over 25,000 products from 500 brands nationwide.  

Many students around AHS wear makeup on a day-to-day basis. Their fun eye looks and lip colors can be seen all throughout the halls. Many students use different techniques and products to style their signature looks. From the brand used, to the beauty guru watched, makeup is a diverse world that many at the high school are fascinated with.

Junior Kaden Mahan wears a full face of makeup every day. She starts with filling in her eyebrows, then adds concealer, foundation, press powder, contour, eyeshadow, top liner and lashes. The look is completed with highlighter and lipstick. On average, Mahan’s look takes about 45 minutes. “I usually get up around six to get ready for school, but sometimes five,” Mahan said. “I usually get up around six to get ready for school, but sometimes five,” Mahan said. “There’s something about wearing makeup that makes me feel better about myself,” Mahan said.

Mahan said. She started wearing makeup her freshman year. “High school has really helped me find out who I am, and embrace my features instead of hiding them,” Mahan said. Some of Mahan’s favorite products are MAC foundation and Tarte Shape Tape concealer. Her advice to others is to try new things, and don’t be afraid to stand out. “But don’t cake your face,” Mahan said. 

Senior Dalton Clark has a special take on boys wearing makeup. Clark wears makeup every day, which includes eyeliner and mascara. He used to wear foundation, but has removed it from his daily routine. “I wear makeup to be different,” Clark said. It makes Clark stand out from the other boys, and makes him “feel pretty.” Clark has been wearing makeup since his freshman year. His friend, junior Breanna Russell, inspired him. “She put it on me my freshman year, and I liked it. So I’ve done it ever since,” Clark said. His advice to other guys is if they want to wear makeup, they can. They shouldn’t be worried about being made fun of. “Be yourself,” Clark said. 

On the other hand, freshman Chloe Mullenix rarely wears makeup. “Only on special occasions,” Mullenix said. If she does wear makeup, it’s typically mascara and concealer. She has been wearing makeup since middle school. “Kennedy Goergen taught me how to do makeup,” Mullenix said. Benefit Roller Lash is her favorite mascara. “I’m starting to feel more comfortable wearing makeup,” Mullenix said. “I might even start filling in my eyebrows.”

Although Mullenix prefers being bare-faced, junior Shayla Luke loves wearing a full face of makeup everyday. “On the weekends I don’t wear makeup, unless I have to go somewhere,” Luke said. Luke’s makeup routine includes primer, foundation, concealer, bronzer, highlighter, eyeshadow, eyebrow pomade, mascara, setting powder and blush. “I started wearing makeup because I was insecure in middle school and had bad skin, but now it’s more of a hobby,” Luke said. She learned how to do makeup from her favorite Youtube beauty gurus, Nikkie Tutorials and Jeffree Star. “I love getting my makeup from Ulta,” Luke said. “They have every brand you can think of.” Brands Luke purchases from Ulta include Tarte, Becca, and Urban Decay. “Feel free to express yourself boldly, and don’t be afraid to wear bright colors or something neutral,” Luke said. “Always be yourself.”

With the growth of the makeup business–with its many brands and popular influencers–the act of wearing makeup has become more than just a way to get ready in the morning. For many, it is a hobby that they can use in their day-to-day life.