|
|
Makeup: "Self-esteem in a bottle"?...and other questions pondered...Dec 01 '00 Write an essay on this topic.Yes, I know I'm only 15, but whether or not you realized this, people my age (and sadly much younger) wear makeup. Don't ask me why...I do not know why. Some find this sort of thing fun...I suspect they are cult members...either way. Anyhow...I have a few problems with makeup. There's a few things that I wonder about when I think of the many times I see women in a bathroom "painting their faces on." You are now invited to read some of the issues that bother me about makeup... Just so you know before hand (attention rubber stampers), I have absolutely no intention of writing about "choosing the right foundation" because unless you are blind, there shouldn't be THAT much of a problem. So go ahead and rate me badly according to my placing an epinion in the wrong category...oh yes, the anally retentive epinions nazis would put me on death row for this one. Anyhow...onto makeup. Self-esteem in a bottle? A lot of times at school I'll see girls put on makeup in the bathrooms. Once a girl told me that she was ugly if she didn't wear it. Please. She was pretty. As if smearing some gunk on your face will turn you from an ugly duckling to the swan. Come on. Sometimes I think that makeup is self-esteem in a bottle. This is both good and bad in its own right. On one hand it's bad, because people should be confident enough without this sort of thing (especially those that have NO problems like zits, scars, etc.) and if they need makeup as confidence, that's quite sad. But on the other hand, any boost in self-esteem is good I suppose. But I mean...what happens when it comes off? Do they then feel ugly again? Does their self-esteem decrease a notch? I mean it must be psychological because they still look like themselves, only all colorful. People all too often consider makeup a miracle worker, but it verifiably is NOT. It is temporary for one, and is all too often worn for the wrong reasons. I think the biggest problem is the fact that women have skewed perceptions of their looks caused by society and it's idea of a "beautiful woman." Women come in all different sizes, shapes, colors, and no woman is "right" or "wrong." If they could see that then I think makeup wouldn't even exist. Cover me up? Personally, I think the face offers a lot of character. So what if your nose is too big, too small? It makes you, YOU. If girls just appreciated themselves then there would be no need for makeup, as I previously stated. Why cover up your face? Whether or not you like it, THAT'S YOU (or at least the tangible part of you). By covering it up it seems as though you're ashamed of it or something to that nature. I mean I'm not that much of an extremist, I know you all will want to kill me, but there's no need to wear a ton of makeup, or any at all at times. Why don't people just go ahead and wear masks if they're so concerned with their faces? That's basically what makeup is anyway. A silly mask. Why why why? Now I know some reasons for women to wear makeup: 1. It's fun. 2. I like it. 3. It makes me feel more feminine/better about myself. 4. It covers up my blemishes (chimes in with reason #3). #1-I just don't see how it could be fun. Once in a while I suppose as a nice change, but every day...the same routine. How is sticking stuff in your eyes fun? Doesn't look like that much fun to me. #2-I suppose most people say that they put makeup on "for themselves" and that they like it. Like I said...how can sticking stuff into your eyes and having to be cautious not to smear anything on your clothing, etc. etc. be something you like doing? Not I. #3-So so sad. Like I said before, makeup doesn't work miracles, you are still the same face underneath and not automatically a beauty queen. If people would see that, then makeup wouldn't make them feel any different about their looks. #4-The only legitimate reason I can see is #4. Once again, this is for foundation and more than a moderate amount. And as a side note, there's no biggie in getting a zit every once in a while...everyone gets them. Sure, they make me feel uncomfortable, but covering it up in most cases only makes it more notable, but go ahead if it makes you feel better. Natural look?...A contradiction? Arrrrrgh. I hate it when people refer to the "natural look" when speaking of makeup. Dammit, of course you don't want to overdo it, but makeup is not natural. Nothing about it is natural. If you don't wear any, that's natural. The only way to assure yourself the most natural of natural looks is to NOT wear any. Simply said, that's all there is to it. So next time you want to go au naturale'...skip the foundation. They might think you invited the super-sheerest of all the sheer makeup on earth. Then you'll make money...or something. What is this word? Makeup. MAKEUP. MAKEup. makeUP. What does 'makeup' mean? Why is it called this? Why don't you just call it silly gunk? Where is the significance of this word? I guess some people have it right when they call it "cover-up" because that's exactly what it needlessly does. Covers up your face... I even looked it up in the dictionary. It just gave another synonym, and well, gee, that was helpful. I didn't ask for a thesaurus now did I? So anyhow...I can't really explain this word...because I don't know what the relevance of it is. Do you make your face up? Of what? Huh? Yes, so now I'm confused. Thanks, Mr. dictionary. Double standard or WHY I HATE MAKEUP... Why don't men wear makeup? You can go ahead and laugh at the thought. Yes, I know drag queens wear makeup. Har har...not funny. Why do women have to spend hours on their looks and men just get up and go? Is this equality for you? Would the womens' rights movement be proud right now? I don't think so. Why be sucked in to the male-dominated society? I'm not a feminist or anything, but we're only further degrading our position below males by wearing makeup, to please them. That's the bottom line. As much as women say they do it for themselves, I don't buy it. They do it for the opposite sex (well, not if they're lesbians, but you know what I mean). Oddly enough some guys don't even like it. At least they say they don't. They want women who are naturally beautiful...aww how sweet. Ugh. I hate makeup because it's one of the most unfair double standards that exists. Oh of course, women must wear makeup and cook and clean and be homemakers. Come on. Why don't men have to do something to make themselves look good for females? (Besides what they consider work...applying deodorant, cologne, and occasionally gel). In conclusion... I still say that unless you feel you can't live without it, which I HIGHLY doubt, don't over do the makeup thing. Yeah yeah moderately I suppose it won't hurt, but the every day routine of blush, mascara, eyeliner, foundation, and lip stick is just a waste of your time. I'm not saying I've never worn makeup. But I have...and then I thought about it...and wondered why I felt the need or want to wear it...and then I just felt stupid. We all know that I'm not stupid (except for in the tightcircle crowd--HI TAMMY!). Well, hope you enjoyed my rather cynical thoughts...oh yeah, and don't tell the mob to come by tomorrow, I'll be out. --Smartgrl03 "There is no cosmetic for beauty like happiness." ~ Marguerite Gardiner Blessington ~  |
| Read all comments (24)|Write your own comment |
|
Ads by Google
|
