Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo

Feminine Friday: Why My Lipstick Empowers Me

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at USF chapter.

Collegiettes™, I am a strong believer in the saying, “When you look your best, you feel your best.”

That has always been true within my own experiences. Didn’t get enough sleep? Wear something a little flashier or daring, whether that be heels instead of flats or an eye-catching bright color. Lipstick is my go to and I absolutely love it.

When I put on a beautiful shade of bright lipstick, it’s like carefully applying war paint. It’s a way of gearing up to feel my best for whatever the day throws at me. I know that my lipstick is going to catch some people’s eye and I will get more attention because of it. This is such an empowering feeling. I am given the opportunity to express my style through my lipstick shade while experiencing the euphoria of feeling beautiful and a little rebellious.

In the Roman Empire, lipstick was a sign of social status and even the men wore it. Some argue that makeup and Feminists shouldn’t mix on the basis of changing your appearance to appeal to the beauty standards of society or to appeal more to men. To that I say, it is an individual choice!

Whether I want to wear lipstick to fit that societal ideal image or to get the attention of a man is my own agenda and no one else’s. If I wear it just because it makes me feel some type of way is also my own business and shouldn’t affect anyone else. Instead of arguing whether or not lipstick fits into Feminism, let’s all just recognize that everyone has their own choice to make about it and it really doesn’t concern any of us.

It is okay to want to conform to societal standards of beauty or beautify yourself for the attention of a man. It is also okay to choose not to for yourself. Don’t decide these things for other people and especially don’t shame people for whatever they decide to do. If someone feels their best dolled up, let them embrace that and love it.

I love my lipstick and I feel like a queen when I put it on. Every person deserves to feel that way. Most of all, empower others to make these choices for oneself and support whatever choice is made. Everyone deserves to feel fabulous in their own skin. Let lipstick unite!

 

Photo Credits:

http://www.shehnazsalim.com/blog/edgy-with-denim

http://www.latestfashiontoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/creme-lipst…

http://mygloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/article-1.jpg

USF student that is entirely too involved. Perpetually embarrassed, still pretty cool.
Lover of all things Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, Harry Potter and fashion. Junior. Mass Communication major. Disney Cast member. Aspiring writer.