Is makeup oppressive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if I'd call it oppressive, but it's absolutely true that in cultures where women have less power, they wear more makeup. Women in highly patriarchal societies (and parts of the U.S.) are more likely to wear much more makeup. It becomes one more way women compete to snag a man, in order to establish social status. Some examples: the Bible Belt south, Italy, Mexico, Japan. Some examples of more egalitarian and less made up places: liberal arts colleges, Scandinavia, Canada, blue states in general.

I guess the continent of Africa kind of throws your theory out the window.

Yeah, they have to have their clitorises removed to be considered marriageable. not oppressive at all. Just substitute whatever body modification you wish - foot binding, plastic surgery, corsets, makeup, high heels, the thighmaster, and so on --women having to undergo painful or uncomfortable or time consuming procedures or fashions to be atttractive. seriously people, this is anthropology 101

[Anonymous]

I buy and wear (sometimes) makeup because I love the colors and packaging, experimenting with little risk (you can just wipe it off), and the fact makeup is relatively inexpensive (yes, some of it is pricey, but it's still generally more affordable than experimenting with hair color/extensions, etc.). I like watching makeup tutorials, going to Ulta, etc.

No need to read so much into it--it's just a fun hobby. I don't expect others to do it--or not do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the same women who argue women should not "have"not wear a burka also are arguing it's their choice to cover themselves in makeup.

Irony?

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here, but I know that under the burqa, many Arab women wear tons of makeup and dress to the nines. Which suggests that the makeup/dress is actually something feminine they do against the oppression.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if I'd call it oppressive, but it's absolutely true that in cultures where women have less power, they wear more makeup. Women in highly patriarchal societies (and parts of the U.S.) are more likely to wear much more makeup. It becomes one more way women compete to snag a man, in order to establish social status. Some examples: the Bible Belt south, Italy, Mexico, Japan. Some examples of more egalitarian and less made up places: liberal arts colleges, Scandinavia, Canada, blue states in general.

I guess the continent of Africa kind of throws your theory out the window.

Yeah, they have to have their clitorises removed to be considered marriageable. not oppressive at all. Just substitute whatever body modification you wish - foot binding, plastic surgery, corsets, makeup, high heels, the thighmaster, and so on --women having to undergo painful or uncomfortable or time consuming procedures or fashions to be atttractive. seriously people, this is anthropology 101

You're seriously equating shit like foot binding and genital mutilation with makeup and high heels and Seen On TV bs exercise machines?

[Anonymous]

Whey is it a burden or oppressive? It is fun, it's make me feel good and I love it. Same with the close. It's not jst about being neat and clean, it is about being a woman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The older I get, the less I care about what "society" is telling me I should or shouldn't be doing. I wear makeup to work or when going out at night for ME. Not because others think I should or because society is telling me I should. I like makeup. Always have. I like the way I look in makeup. On the weekends, however, I don't wear any (again, unless I'm going to out dinner or for drinks).

I wear heels or wedges because I like them. I like they way they make my legs look. I like feeling taller, too. But that doesn't mean I wear them 24/7 or that I feel pressured into wearing them. Ilike flats and sneakers, too.

I also work out because I want to be healthy and strong. Not because society is telling me I need to be a certain size. I like the way I feel after I work out. And yes, it's nice that it keeps the lbs at bay as I get older, but that's not the primary reason I do it.

That's all well and good, but the reason you like the way you look in makeup or the way your legs look in heels is because you have been conditioned to think you look better that way. That's what people mean when they say that "society" tells you you should do it. Nobody shaves their legs or waxes their eyebrows because it's more comfortable--they do it because they've been conditioned for years to accept that this the way women should look.

Of course, working out to feel strong and healthy is wonderful--I think we can all agree on that. But the fact that you even mentioned "keep the lbs at bay" means that you also feel the social pressure not to gain weight as you get older, even though any good doctor would tell you it is normal and even healthy to carry a few more pounds as we age.

Not trying to start a big fight here, but I do think it's worthwhile to continually examine our beauty standards and how they keep women in a constant state of low-level anxiety about their appearance.

Of course not. You're just telling a group of grown women that they cannot possibly have independent thoughts, that society does our thinking for us. You understand that you're sharing the same argument as the trans-vaginal anti-choice men? So... shut up. I look very nice without makeup, but I look amazing with it. And that's my very own thought.

Actually it is exactly right. You have been brainwashed and you refuse to acknowledge it. If you find that insulting, I'm truly sorry, but it is true and I don't mean it to insult you personally. We are all there at one time or another, but some of us figure it out and get mad about it. I'm sad for you that you can't break free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whey is it a burden or oppressive? It is fun, it's make me feel good and I love it. Same with the close. It's not jst about being neat and clean, it is about being a woman.

A narrow definition of being a woman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if I'd call it oppressive, but it's absolutely true that in cultures where women have less power, they wear more makeup. Women in highly patriarchal societies (and parts of the U.S.) are more likely to wear much more makeup. It becomes one more way women compete to snag a man, in order to establish social status. Some examples: the Bible Belt south, Italy, Mexico, Japan. Some examples of more egalitarian and less made up places: liberal arts colleges, Scandinavia, Canada, blue states in general.

I guess the continent of Africa kind of throws your theory out the window.

Yeah, they have to have their clitorises removed to be considered marriageable. not oppressive at all. Just substitute whatever body modification you wish - foot binding, plastic surgery, corsets, makeup, high heels, the thighmaster, and so on --women having to undergo painful or uncomfortable or time consuming procedures or fashions to be atttractive. seriously people, this is anthropology 101

You are wasting your time on these women. To admit they have been duped is unimaginable to them. Instead they will insult you, tell you that you are dowdy/unattractive blah blah blah to help themselves feel better about being suckers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is clothing in general oppressive then?

Not keens and unironed khakis and ill-fitting Oxford shirts which gape open and display your dingy bra.

Now thats just silly.

She wouldn't be wearing a bra.

Hee hee, snort.

You two are the worst kind of bitches.

[Anonymous]

Yup.
I used to like wearing it and then developed severe allergies to common cosmetic ingredients. Can't wear it anymore. I still don't like how I look in the mirror. I hate that it's an expectation I built up and bought into. I feel less professional now.
(Also - yes this is a real thing. Find me a makeup without titanium dioxide.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whey is it a burden or oppressive? It is fun, it's make me feel good and I love it. Same with the close. It's not jst about being neat and clean, it is about being a woman.

A narrow definition of being a woman.

.

+1. To me this encapsulates the problem. Narrow definitions of gender pigeon hole people, and that hurts everyone, men and women alike.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if I would use the "oppression," but, yes. I think the societal pressures on women with regards to fashion, weight, and makeup represent an undue burden that men don't have. Imagine if we could keep all the time and money we are spending on lotions, creams, magazines, spin classes, plastic surgery, lipsticks, teeth whitening, high heels, and pantyhose for ourselves! Imagine if pre-teen girls weren't already thinking that their thighs were gross and dreaming of the day when they're old enough to get a boob job. Imagine if a woman were judged on her merits and not on how closely she adheres to society's preconceived notions of what she should look like. Beauty standards are like a prison that we all elect to live in.

Just my opinion. Wax on.

Yes. As soon as I get my eyebrows waxed, damn, it's time for another damn cut and color. And the toes are chipping, gotta get to the derm for a few more shots of botox, is time to pluck my chin again, whiten teeth, aaaaaaaaahhhhh

[Anonymous]

Don't know, don't care! Love the stuff. Have a 'Sephora closet' to prove it. One of my greatest pleasures is picking the soaps, creams, etc. I want to use that day.

[Anonymous]

I love how women talk about something being oppressive while they sit back and tell other women about how they are incapable of making their own decisions about it.

How about I have my own makeup preferences and trust other women can make a decision that suits them?

[Anonymous]

I've been going on job interviews a lot lately, and I"ve been noticing how my "get ready for the job interview" routine includes having my grey hair dyed, a little botox, having my nails done, bleaching my teeth, having my eyebrows done, etc.
I asked my husband about his own grooming routine prior to going on a job interview and it consists of taking a shower, brushing his teeth and maybe getting a hair cut.

It does feel a bit like the interviewers are concerned with his qualifications and my appearance. All those old canards -- his looking his age means he's experienced, my looking my age means I'm old, etc.