Making Myself Up After My Mental Breakdown

The emphasis is this essay is more on how lipstick played a role in my recovery and less on transcranial magnetic stimulation, although TMS certainly contributed.

Makeup is often dismissed as superficial and frivolous—I’ve done so myself—but it can, and does, serve as an important aid to many of us—female, male, or gender-fluid—with mental health issues. For me, lipstick acts as both a way to conceal my illness and present a traditionally feminine appearance to the world. And it also makes me feel better about myself, which is crucial to mental wellness.