This is me with make up on;

Excuse the cocktail haha

Almost NOONE approaches me. If I'm with a group of friends, those are the only people I'll converse/dance and have a laugh with. Noone outside the group will talk to me. When they do, this is what is usually said.

1. “You look a bit intimidating. I was scared to approach you.”
2. “Wow, you're nicer than I thought. You seemed like a bitch.”
3. Where are you from? You look exotic / your accent is strange.”
4. “Insert compliment about how I look”

I've heard these phrases on repeat for YEARS

Non-verbal

1. Blatant staring (from both males/females)
2. Whispering amongst groups (males/females)
3. More staring
4. Sometimes smiling (from both male/female)
5. Most times just staring
6. Oh and young people AVOID me. (I'm 23 so that's people my around the 18-25 age group.)

Okay, so I am not denying that I don't like receiving compliments but I do struggle a lot with people not taking time to get to know me before they make assumptions based on how I'm looking at that particular time.

And get this, the amount of times I've been approached for escorting offers is uncountable. I've been stopped from going to an apartment party by the receptionist because “working girls aren't allowed before 10PM.” I MEAN….WHAT? And by no means am I saying there's anything with that profession. Im just telling you my experiences.

But now that we are here, ill tell you a bit about makeup faced me:

1. Im Australian, originally from Zim. 5 foot 3, studying Master in Renewables
2. I am a working professional by day, run my own business for women clutches by night.
3. Even though they are tiger parents, my parents are my heroes. They struggled a lot to get to where they are now and I owe it to them to succeed.
4. I'm “HILARIOUS” according to everyone that knows me
5. I don't have many friends (a lot of acquaintances but very few trustworthy friends)
6. I have what you call “perfectionism complex”
7. I'm almost fluent in Italian and beginner in Mandarin

Bottom line is… don't just a book by its cover. As cliche as that sounds.

This is when I'm not wearing makeup:

I think I look a lot younger. But that's still me @ 23.

Still… no one DARES to approach me unless I approach them. Still a few stares though.

However, I'm much more peaceful. And usually no questions from anyone.

Maybe the makeup draws attention? I don't know.

All I know is I'm the same person in both situations. It may be just the different attitudes towards make up.

I mean… do I look significantly different? You be the judge.