By: Zeinab Fakih
I’m not really one to wear makeup. Sure, every once in awhile I may put on some mascara, eyeliner or lipstick but that’s pretty much it. I’ve never had any issues with my skin and I’m Lebanese so I naturally have long, thick lashes and eyebrows, and my cheeks and lips are always slightly pink. I know, “my life is so hard.”
Makeup’s always been a fun thing for me. I don’t wear it a whole lot so when I do it’s kind of like a treat for when I have more time in the morning or a presentation or meeting. So, I thought I’d try a full face of makeup for one week. I’ll see if my routine changes, if people treat me or look at me differently, and if my overall view of makeup shifts. Now, let’s begin.
Makeup is believed to have originated from Ancient Egypt. They believed makeup would protect them from many elements they would face including infections, insects, harsh rays from the sun, etc. Men and women used makeup in their everyday lives and even in their afterlife. They used eye glitters made from beetle shells and animal fat — thank God we have moved away from that.
On Monday I did what every college student does…accidently slept in.
So day one didn’t really go as planned. I went the more natural route. I only used a little mascara, a light layer of foundation, a light brown in my crease and some glitter in the centre of my eyelid (but it was cheap and didn’t really show so that’s irrelevant).
In ten minutes I was able to slap on some natural look and walked out the door feeling great…also Toronto finally felt like fall and I was living for it.
There was zero difference in how I felt or was treated this day so I think I’ll go a little more dramatic tomorrow.
Onto day two. I had an afternoon class and a lot more time. I decided to add some drama to my look. Today’s look was a lot more fun. Whenever I would wear makeup I would wear a neutral smokey eye. Sure, I’d occasionally wear a black smokey eye but I’d never add any colour. Today I added some blue on my eyes and felt great. I wasn’t sure about it but I actually got a lot of compliments and thought I should try this more often. Again, I wasn’t treated any differently except for this one man who went “I’m right here” when I gave a number to my friend. I don’t think that was related but I’ll just toss it in here.
Now, onto day three….I had a blemish on my cheek!
Okay, now that I’ve had my little Cher Horowitz moment let’s move on. I kept things simple with a pink and silver colour on my lid and a pink lipstick. It didn’t turn out looking like a black eye so it’s all good.
I was still feeling the silver by Thursday so I kept up with that. Now, that my blemish was fine I added some bronzer and went back into the fall vibes that Monday gave me. I had an essay today so I really wanted to look my best. Afterall, if I look my best I feel my best and if I feel my best I do my best… I hope…fingers crossed that I get a good mark.
And now here we are. Friday. The last day before reading week. Soon enough this will be me:
Ahhhhhh…wait, I still have assignments to do…Oh well it’s fine. Today I opted for some highlight and dark eyes. I added some black to my waterline and a nude lip. While this look was simple it was also intense. At the end of this week I realised that I really like to play around with colour. While makeup didn’t make me feel any prettier than I usually would, it was nice to play around with it. I’m not going to start wearing makeup everyday I think I might wear it every once in awhile and rather than sticking to warm tones and neutrals, I might end up using colours and some cool tones.
We’ve gone from Egyptians using makeup as protection from the elements and tributes to their gods to rock and roll rebels. Makeup has evolved through time and we have evolved with it. Makeup is a form of art used to express our style. Makeup did not raise my self esteem nor did it make others treat me any differently than usual. I think that your attitude is what makes your confidence rise and positivity is what gets others to treat you well. Makeup can make you feel better on days where you don’t feel all that great. Makeup can enhance your favourite features. Makeup is something that can make you stand up a little taller and make you feel a little better. It’s something to do when you’re bored and when you want your lashes to hit the ceiling. It’s something to make you feel pretty but it’s not something that makes you pretty. That’s all you.