Why is a societal preference almost a social requirement for women to wear makeup in this country?
If I don’t wear makeup I am bombarded with questions about my health and my life: “Did you get enough sleep? Are you sick? Are you making sure you’re taking care of yourself?”
Yet, if I wear too much makeup, I get asked if there’s someone I am dressing up for, or why do I feel the need to try “so hard”.
However, if I wear “light” or natural looking makeup, people assume I am “a natural beauty”. Regardless of their perception, it is still a delusion: I am wearing a mask of makeup- it is just deemed the appropriate amount.
Simply put: it’s awful and annoying that women are held to an impossible standard in regards to their physical appearance. What led us to this point? Why is it even a concern about how women portray themselves– if a woman makes the choice to wear makeup? Men aren’t held to a certain standard of perception, and no one should be.
The beauty industry is a multibillion dollar money making market. Here is where we reach the never ending cycle of frustration: if it weren’t for this societal reinforcement that women are flawed as they naturally appear, there wouldn’t be any product to sell. Yet, if they apply too much of the product, they are inherently flawed as well.
The choice to wear makeup or not is a personal one and it is a choice that shouldn’t be determined or condemned by society or even singular to women. More relevantly, it shouldn’t be a problem at all. Makeup does not influence the content of your character, your professionalism, or your ability to be a decent human being. So why is it of the utmost importance to find the accepted medium on a spectrum that is designed for women to feel inferior?
Choose to wear makeup or don’t. Present yourself how you so choose, however that may be, and feel comfortable with that choice. There is no need for anyone to comment on the amount of makeup someone has elected to wear. It is unnecessary (yes people are aware of their own physical appearances), and can often be perceived as rude.
Self-acceptance and manners?
Yes, please.