Rebecca Hendin / BuzzFeed

1. I prefer sleep to looking glamorous. I came to dread my alarm going off at 7.30am and felt exhausted by the end of the week.

2. Contouring does change your face. But the results weren’t as I expected. Maybe my expectations were too high – I was hoping for an instant nose job and more defined cheekbones. But, if anything, I think the contouring highlighted how round my face is.

3. False eyelashes are annoying AF. But once you get used to them, they really do make a statement of your eyes. I’d now even consider getting extensions.

4. People are more polite than I thought. I was expecting more strange looks, and more negative comments. But people asked tentatively and were kind with it, which made feeling self-conscious more bearable.

5. I have a newfound respect for Kim Kardashian. It may seem like a ridiculous concern, but I do understand the pressure she must feel every day to look flawless. After a week of being photographed, I developed a whole host of new insecurities. She's photographed hundreds of times every day – I can't imagine the self-scrutiny that must occur.

6. Despite making me feel insecure and self-conscious, this process has made me appreciate MY face. I may be more aware of my flaws now, but that’s OK. Because wanting to have me back, and the feeling of relief I got when I looked in the mirror after doing my own makeup – and not only recognised myself, but liked myself – was completely unexpected, and pretty damn amazing.