Is makeup oppressive?

[Anonymous]

Is makeup another tool for oppressing women?

Think about it. Common knowledge says that women's natural skin and features are not good enough to be presented in society. Thus, she must cover, conceal,enhance and beautify her face.

There are women who genuinely believe that makeup is a choice and they do it "for themselves."

Well,

[Anonymous]

My boss sure thinks so, and she's very condescending toward those of us who choose to wear makeup.

She's homely and it's clearly sour grapes.

[Anonymous]

is make up "oppressive"? bahahahhaaa!!!!

[Anonymous]

Being forced or pressured to wear makeup because of a belief that women are not attractive without it--yes. But humans have been decorating themselves for millenia, including with face paint and cosmetics. So I don't think makeup is inherently oppressive, just a culture that says that without makeup women are ugly or unprofessional, or that a woman should not be in public unless she is attractive.

[Anonymous]

Probably so, OP. I remember when I was a teen, and used to think the best example was "cover up." Just says it right there, cover up the real you!

(and then get zits and blackheads and start that whole product cycle...the rat race of skin beauty. I remember reading an article, years ago, where Lauren Hutton (model) spent three months in the desert wearing nothing and said her skin never looked better)

Anyways I agree, but the high heels situation is the thing that irks me the most, probably because it both hinders women's mobility and ruins their feet (so mobility and health). I wear them sometimes but not the crazy height that is in nowadays. I live in LA and yesterday was watching three women in amazingly high shoes totter around a CVS; it was ridiculous. It's ridiculous watching these women try and WALK. That being said, the shoes were pretty.

[Anonymous]

Is someone forcing you to wear makeup, op?

I wear makeup because it makes ME feel more put together. It gives me an extra boost of confidence. I wear it for the same reason I cut my hair and style it. I also buy clothes that are flattering on me instead of wearing just the clothes that cover me up.

I think this is what people who don't have a clue what feminism is about think feminism is about.

[Anonymous]

I don't wear makeup anymore. I get occasional comments from WOMEN in my office about how I should wear it. "Oh looking at you reminds me; I need to go put on some makeup!"

I attended a conference outside of the office and wore makeup; they all GUSHED about how "great" I looked. I.e., I looked so much better than usual b/c I wore makeup.

I'm tired of it. I'm here to do my job. If my job is done, I don't want to hear any crap about my makeup or gray hair.

FWIW, my dad and step mom also make comments trying to encourage me to wear makeup. Overall, I know my dad is a terrible sexist (more than just this issue).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is someone forcing you to wear makeup, op?

I wear makeup because it makes ME feel more put together. It gives me an extra boost of confidence. I wear it for the same reason I cut my hair and style it. I also buy clothes that are flattering on me instead of wearing just the clothes that cover me up.

I think this is what people who don't have a clue what feminism is about think feminism is about.

No one has a gun to my head and says, "WEAR MAKEUP."

But since I was a little girl, I have been receiving messages that tell me, "being pretty is very important" "visible acne is bad" "large pores are bad" "dark circles are bad" "eye bags are bad" "normal skin tone is 'uneven'" "natural hair is 'undone' or 'slovenly'"

Basically that the natural female state is bad or should be covered up/hidden/beautified.

These messages have made it so no one has to come to my face and TELL ME to wear makeup. I do because not doing so is unacceptable if I wanted to be treated and seen as a normal attractive young woman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is someone forcing you to wear makeup, op?

I wear makeup because it makes ME feel more put together. It gives me an extra boost of confidence. I wear it for the same reason I cut my hair and style it. I also buy clothes that are flattering on me instead of wearing just the clothes that cover me up.

I think this is what people who don't have a clue what feminism is about think feminism is about.

No one has a gun to my head and says, "WEAR MAKEUP."

But since I was a little girl, I have been receiving messages that tell me, "being pretty is very important" "visible acne is bad" "large pores are bad" "dark circles are bad" "eye bags are bad" "normal skin tone is 'uneven'" "natural hair is 'undone' or 'slovenly'"

Basically that the natural female state is bad or should be covered up/hidden/beautified.

These messages have made it so no one has to come to my face and TELL ME to wear makeup. I do because not doing so is unacceptable if I wanted to be treated and seen as a normal attractive young woman.

If you're so confident in your message why would you troll a beauty board? Are you trying to convert pretty people? Most women want to look attractive. Sorry about the oppression.

[Anonymous]

It is also very interesting because what is and isn't acceptable is so far out of the norm for how women look naturally.

A normal put together woman would look something like this:



But society requires or expects her to dress like this in order to be "presentable"





Is not good enough. She has to look like this:


Why do women have to look like cartoons?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is someone forcing you to wear makeup, op?

I wear makeup because it makes ME feel more put together. It gives me an extra boost of confidence. I wear it for the same reason I cut my hair and style it. I also buy clothes that are flattering on me instead of wearing just the clothes that cover me up.

I think this is what people who don't have a clue what feminism is about think feminism is about.

No one has a gun to my head and says, "WEAR MAKEUP."

But since I was a little girl, I have been receiving messages that tell me, "being pretty is very important" "visible acne is bad" "large pores are bad" "dark circles are bad" "eye bags are bad" "normal skin tone is 'uneven'" "natural hair is 'undone' or 'slovenly'"

Basically that the natural female state is bad or should be covered up/hidden/beautified.

These messages have made it so no one has to come to my face and TELL ME to wear makeup. I do because not doing so is unacceptable if I wanted to be treated and seen as a normal attractive young woman.

I see those as two separate issues. Let me start by saying that I still find your use of the word "oppressive" strange. I think women not being allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia is oppressive. I do not think that women succumbing to a very powerful advertising conglomerate is oppressive.

I do think people who spend a little extra time on their appearance will do better professionally for example. But that speak to more than them falling for the idea that we must wear make up. I work with plenty of very successful women who wear almost zero make up. They buy clothes that fit, they cut their hair, they dress appropriately for the occation. To me, how you present yourself to the world is telling everyone else that you care about being in their presence. So, I don't think people who wear makeup wear it because they think (necessarily) that they have to. Again, they wear it because they like it.

[Anonymous]

Oh for god's sake - are you a teenager wrestling with this existential angst over makeup and feminism?

Most normal women know the difference between everyday polish and getting glammed up for a red carpet event.

You want to be homely every day? You be you.

Let the rest of us who enjoy the creativity and fun of makeup do our own thing, too.

p.s. you'll feel a little bit better with a touch of lipstick, honey. #protip

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is someone forcing you to wear makeup, op?

I wear makeup because it makes ME feel more put together. It gives me an extra boost of confidence. I wear it for the same reason I cut my hair and style it. I also buy clothes that are flattering on me instead of wearing just the clothes that cover me up.

I think this is what people who don't have a clue what feminism is about think feminism is about.

No one has a gun to my head and says, "WEAR MAKEUP."

But since I was a little girl, I have been receiving messages that tell me, "being pretty is very important" "visible acne is bad" "large pores are bad" "dark circles are bad" "eye bags are bad" "normal skin tone is 'uneven'" "natural hair is 'undone' or 'slovenly'"

Basically that the natural female state is bad or should be covered up/hidden/beautified.

These messages have made it so no one has to come to my face and TELL ME to wear makeup. I do because not doing so is unacceptable if I wanted to be treated and seen as a normal attractive young woman.

I see those as two separate issues. Let me start by saying that I still find your use of the word "oppressive" strange. I think women not being allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia is oppressive. I do not think that women succumbing to a very powerful advertising conglomerate is oppressive.

I do think people who spend a little extra time on their appearance will do better professionally for example. But that speak to more than them falling for the idea that we must wear make up. I work with plenty of very successful women who wear almost zero make up. They buy clothes that fit, they cut their hair, they dress appropriately for the occation. To me, how you present yourself to the world is telling everyone else that you care about being in their presence. So, I don't think people who wear makeup wear it because they think (necessarily) that they have to. Again, they wear it because they like it.

Precisely. I sat next to a woman at dinner last night at a very nice restaurant who had on zero makeup, but she was beautiful and put-together - she had on well-fitting stylish clothes and nice eyeglasses and well-cut hair.

Does getting a nice haircut oppress us as women?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is someone forcing you to wear makeup, op?

I wear makeup because it makes ME feel more put together. It gives me an extra boost of confidence. I wear it for the same reason I cut my hair and style it. I also buy clothes that are flattering on me instead of wearing just the clothes that cover me up.

I think this is what people who don't have a clue what feminism is about think feminism is about.

No one has a gun to my head and says, "WEAR MAKEUP."

But since I was a little girl, I have been receiving messages that tell me, "being pretty is very important" "visible acne is bad" "large pores are bad" "dark circles are bad" "eye bags are bad" "normal skin tone is 'uneven'" "natural hair is 'undone' or 'slovenly'"

Basically that the natural female state is bad or should be covered up/hidden/beautified.

These messages have made it so no one has to come to my face and TELL ME to wear makeup. I do because not doing so is unacceptable if I wanted to be treated and seen as a normal attractive young woman.

I see those as two separate issues. Let me start by saying that I still find your use of the word "oppressive" strange. I think women not being allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia is oppressive. I do not think that women succumbing to a very powerful advertising conglomerate is oppressive.

I do think people who spend a little extra time on their appearance will do better professionally for example. But that speak to more than them falling for the idea that we must wear make up. I work with plenty of very successful women who wear almost zero make up. They buy clothes that fit, they cut their hair, they dress appropriately for the occation. To me, how you present yourself to the world is telling everyone else that you care about being in their presence. So, I don't think people who wear makeup wear it because they think (necessarily) that they have to. Again, they wear it because they like it.

Precisely. I sat next to a woman at dinner last night at a very nice restaurant who had on zero makeup, but she was beautiful and put-together - she had on well-fitting stylish clothes and nice eyeglasses and well-cut hair.

Does getting a nice haircut oppress us as women?

Apparently we must stop wearing making, styling our hair, shaving our legs go buy some Tevas and a Subaru if we are to be real feminists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is someone forcing you to wear makeup, op?

I wear makeup because it makes ME feel more put together. It gives me an extra boost of confidence. I wear it for the same reason I cut my hair and style it. I also buy clothes that are flattering on me instead of wearing just the clothes that cover me up.

I think this is what people who don't have a clue what feminism is about think feminism is about.

No one has a gun to my head and says, "WEAR MAKEUP."

But since I was a little girl, I have been receiving messages that tell me, "being pretty is very important" "visible acne is bad" "large pores are bad" "dark circles are bad" "eye bags are bad" "normal skin tone is 'uneven'" "natural hair is 'undone' or 'slovenly'"

Basically that the natural female state is bad or should be covered up/hidden/beautified.

These messages have made it so no one has to come to my face and TELL ME to wear makeup. I do because not doing so is unacceptable if I wanted to be treated and seen as a normal attractive young woman.

I see those as two separate issues. Let me start by saying that I still find your use of the word "oppressive" strange. I think women not being allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia is oppressive. I do not think that women succumbing to a very powerful advertising conglomerate is oppressive.

I do think people who spend a little extra time on their appearance will do better professionally for example. But that speak to more than them falling for the idea that we must wear make up. I work with plenty of very successful women who wear almost zero make up. They buy clothes that fit, they cut their hair, they dress appropriately for the occation. To me, how you present yourself to the world is telling everyone else that you care about being in their presence. So, I don't think people who wear makeup wear it because they think (necessarily) that they have to. Again, they wear it because they like it.

Precisely. I sat next to a woman at dinner last night at a very nice restaurant who had on zero makeup, but she was beautiful and put-together - she had on well-fitting stylish clothes and nice eyeglasses and well-cut hair.

Does getting a nice haircut oppress us as women?

Apparently we must stop wearing making, styling our hair, shaving our legs go buy some Tevas and a Subaru if we are to be real feminists.

OMG, that describes my boss perfectly, right down to the Subaru and Tevas.