There used to be time I would put on makeup as a routine in the mornings. I was a lot younger then. Now, I put on makeup when I go places or meet people for whatever gatherings. Everyday it just takes too much time so when I am at home or even do my chores I do not wear it.

I never viewed me wearing makeup as wearing a mask. I get that some people have gone smart with makeup and are capable of creating even a whole new face. I have seen videos like it.

For me, it has always been about bringing out what already is there. My skin has pink undertones on my face only and it is uneven coloring so that is usually what I correct by applying foundation that evens the tone to the one that is dominating. I also have naturally blonde hair so my eyebrows and lashes are barely visible if I do not color them. Sure, sometimes I will apply some fun eyeshadow shade or the lip tint and give myself a cat-eye line. Those for me can be a fun expression too, and, pardon me, I never believed that I could appear superficial with just what I was wearing or not wearing because my character seeps out whether I want it or not.

If my looks or my makeup has been off putting to someone, that's their loss :P

I also was brought up by a person who placed a lot of emphases on looking good, and even to this day when they see me without makeup they tell me to put it on. I do not consider myself ugly without it. Neither do people in my life. At the same time, I think people should be able to do what they want. How someone looks, is just one aspect of a person. While I tend to "decorate" myself, it does not make me superficial or that I am looking for superficial things in my partner or that they looked only for those superficial things in me. I know it is not true.

I also think that a lot of men actually can't tell when a women these days wear makeup or not. There are things like "natural-looking makeup" or "barely any makeup" too.