I love makeup. I’ve always loved makeup. I wore it as soon as my mother would let me (age 13) and I intend to wear it forever.

The lady in the ground floor at Myer with the full face of makeup, blood red nails and bright pink blush at 80 years old browsing in the fragrance aisle? That could potentially be me.

My friend and I were discussing what our future makeup might look like the other day. She’s blonde, sixty-ish, great skin, loves lipstick.

“I’m going to resist heading into that clownish thing that everyone is hyping at the moment,” she said. “The crazy glasses, the clashing prints, the hot pink hair. Some women can pull it off, but on many of us it would look faintly ridiculous.”

There is the other alternative, the spare, elegant approach; silver hair pulled back in a ponytail, bare faced (moisturised, with a touch of concealer), wrinkles, flattering glasses, minimal statement jewellery.

It’s more about using Georgia O’Keeffe as an inspiration than the Real Housewives. That’s one way.

But then there is someone like Gina Liano, from the Real Housewives of Melbourne. I love all that makeup she wears. She’s pretty gorgeous, and I suspect she would look great without all the shellac, but she would definitely look like a different person. She obviously feels better, more confident, more her when she’s made up.

That’s how I feel about makeup. I enjoy every second of putting my makeup on in the morning – I do it even if I don’t plan on going out of the house. If I could put on false eyelashes easily I’d do that daily too.

Real Housewives of Melbourne star Gina Liano favours a more done-up look. Photo: Getty

I don’t think it’s an oppressive, societal trick designed to make women feel inadequate. And it certainly isn’t forced upon us by the patriarchy- apparently most men think we look better when we wake up, au natural, bless them.

Some of us just love makeup. Singer Gwen Stefani has for years been photographed going about her day-to-day activities in full makeup and a bright red lip. When she was accused of feeling pressured to be constantly made up, she replied that, on the contrary, “I don’t feel energised until I’ve put it on”.

Many of today’s social media “glamour” stars are reliant on heavy makeup to get them “Instagram-ready”, which explains the huge upsurge in contouring and shading techniques and products – 16 year olds are wearing more makeup than a Vegas showgirl. But then so did I in my punk and new romantic days, and I’m pretty sure Robert Smith from The Cure I matched like for like.

Alicia Keys skipped the makeup for her appearance at the MTV VMAs. Photo: Getty

I’m still hoping that makeup becomes a mainstream trend for men one day. There is a current backlash to this, highlighted by U.S singer Alicia Keys, who wrote a recent article discussing the struggles and pressures to look a certain way, herself vowing to stop covering up, “Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing”.

Her decision to go makeup-free has been widely discussed, as was her fresh-faced appearance on the red carpet at the MTV VMA Awards, a stunningly beautiful and purist statement amongst the usual glitz and artifice, prompting the launch of a new movement #NoMakeup.

She also, unbelievably, drew criticism for not wearing at least a touch of base. In truth neither path is more feminist, or emancipating, than the other. Makeup is a form of self expression, and there should be no rules. If it makes you happy, go ahead.

I have no intention right now of joining the #NoMakeup movement and posting a selfie of my nude face. But ask me again when I’m 80.