In both life and makeup, arriving at clarity can be both thrilling and unsettling. When we eliminate ambiguity, we strip away the comfort of illusions. This can leave us feeling exposed—both literally and metaphorically. Just as removing layers of makeup reveals the bare face beneath, removing layers of old identity exposes the true self. The process of searching for and discarding these false layers creates a sense of rupture, a break from the old self that we once clung to.
This change can be felt through the very act of doing makeup. There’s tension when you experiment with new looks that challenge your sense of who you’ve been. At the same time, there’s relief in the newfound freedom that comes from letting go of what no longer fits. You may grieve the “you” that relied on certain beauty standards or makeup routines, but as you try on new ways of expressing yourself, you grow stronger and more aligned with the person you’re becoming.
