Last year I decided to commit myself to do some things, 30 days at a time. I have a long list of things to try, but I thought I’d do them one at time at first so I wouldn’t overwhelm myself. In October I thought I’d take on the challenge of doing my makeup for 30 days. Whether I worked or not, I would put on makeup every day.

There was a big problem with this.

I have never in my life been successful at makeup.

You’d think having grown up as a dancer and then in theater that I’d have some clue, but honestly I didn’t. I rarely wore it because any time I tried I looked like I had full-on cake. It wasn’t nice, or pretty or, well…it was a mess.

So I did what any first world girl would do.

I took to YouTube.

I looked up tutorials, suggested makeups, everything I could get my hands on.

I studied, I took a deep breath, picked up a handful of supplies, and dove in.

For 30 days straight, through work, home days, lazy days, and a trip to Disney I put on makeup.

Some days it was little more than concealer and mascara.

In the insanely hot days in Florida it was a light base, and some eye makeup. Simple, but enough to add a little oomph.

And what happened?

I loved it.

I actually took more selfies.

I was more confident.

I felt pretty.

I found that even a little effort in the morning helped boost my esteem and my mood.

Due to excuses I shouldn’t be making, I’ve fallen back out of the habit, but hope to get back into it.

I’ve been on the anti-makeup bandwagon for a long time…but I can’t say it was for any noble reason – because it was real laziness.

For me the makeup became about more than my 30 day project, and it was more about changing my appearance (I’ve seen those insanely drastic change videos and it’s insane, I couldn’t handle that).  It was about covering up a few flaws (like genetically awful dark circles), and enhancing the good things. Adding a little life to my features, and taking care of my skin in between the applications.

I felt like a better version of myself.

And isn’t that what it’s all about?