Should We Be Shamed For Wearing Makeup? FACE 2
Last week we had a casual chat about two staple foundations. This week, I wanted to chat about something a bit more serious. Essentially, should women be shamed for wearing makeup? It links in with feminism as I feel that we get abused for calling ourselves feminists and still doing feminine things, ie wearing makeup.
Firstly, I'd like to address the fact that I don't believe that makeup should be a feminine thing. In order to truly move on we need to knock down the stereotypes and create new pathways. Makeup is literally a beauty enhancer, we have one life and if something can improve it why the hell would we not use and take advantage of it. It sounds blunt but peoples logic confuses me, makeup is basically different colour creams and powders that we put on our faces. Since when is face paint for girls? Partly, I blame the media. Historically, men in tribes and even western actors have used the equivalent of makeup to enhance something, to empower something. I believe that the media has only portrayed the soft, feminine side of makeup and that's why we now associate makeup with women.
I also truly believe that I use makeup to empower me, to enhance my performance in all areas of my life. I don't rely on it to feel good and I don't need it. But it serves me so goddamn well. I'm not using it to mask myself, or try and look like someone else. People don't look at my eyeliner and contoured cheeks and think "oh she woke up like that". I'm not fooling anyone. But that's okay because it's not what I'm trying to do. I really am using it solely for me.
You may be wondering how this links to my FACE series, which is all about the base layer of makeup. I know that its a weak link but foundation is what gets the most abuse for girls faking it and tricking people. It's partly why I did this series, eye shadows and highlighters always get the spotlight because they're sparkly and beautiful. But what empowers me is my base layer, that is what lets me focus on something other than my insecurities. There are more important things in life after all.
PS: I tried to do a really cool artsy photo where I had insecurities written on my forehead and it was supposed to look like I was trying to cover it with foundation. Needless to say it didn't work, it was backwards because I did it in the mirror and it wouldn't fit on. But here is a picture for humours sake.
Firstly, I'd like to address the fact that I don't believe that makeup should be a feminine thing. In order to truly move on we need to knock down the stereotypes and create new pathways. Makeup is literally a beauty enhancer, we have one life and if something can improve it why the hell would we not use and take advantage of it. It sounds blunt but peoples logic confuses me, makeup is basically different colour creams and powders that we put on our faces. Since when is face paint for girls? Partly, I blame the media. Historically, men in tribes and even western actors have used the equivalent of makeup to enhance something, to empower something. I believe that the media has only portrayed the soft, feminine side of makeup and that's why we now associate makeup with women.
I also truly believe that I use makeup to empower me, to enhance my performance in all areas of my life. I don't rely on it to feel good and I don't need it. But it serves me so goddamn well. I'm not using it to mask myself, or try and look like someone else. People don't look at my eyeliner and contoured cheeks and think "oh she woke up like that". I'm not fooling anyone. But that's okay because it's not what I'm trying to do. I really am using it solely for me.
You may be wondering how this links to my FACE series, which is all about the base layer of makeup. I know that its a weak link but foundation is what gets the most abuse for girls faking it and tricking people. It's partly why I did this series, eye shadows and highlighters always get the spotlight because they're sparkly and beautiful. But what empowers me is my base layer, that is what lets me focus on something other than my insecurities. There are more important things in life after all.
PS: I tried to do a really cool artsy photo where I had insecurities written on my forehead and it was supposed to look like I was trying to cover it with foundation. Needless to say it didn't work, it was backwards because I did it in the mirror and it wouldn't fit on. But here is a picture for humours sake.
Make up is whatever you want it to be: fun, adventure, a mask, expression, art, disguise
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