Published by Allie Reese.
I recently decided to Google the following phrases: “women wear makeup”, “women no makeup”, “women makeup”. Here are just a few of the finds that stood out: Why You Should Date A Girl Who Doesn’t Need To Wear Makeup To Feel Beautiful, Science Shows Men Like Women With Less Makeup, 4 Reasons Why Women Wear Makeup (For Those Who Just Don’t Get It) (and then it’s counter-article, 4 Reasons You Should Stop Wearing Makeup Right Now).
What I see – based on the titles alone – is that we’re asking for reasons behind why women should or should not wear makeup, and the answer is that wearing less (or no) makeup is best- and those who do wear makeup have to defend themselves.
Personally, I go back and forth between thinking that if you wear ‘too much’ make up means you’re trying too hard, but if you don’t wear any people will ask you, “Wow, you look tired, are you okay?”, so I guess that means you should wear some makeup to appear ‘naturally beautiful’, but obviously it’s not natural, so I’m not sure where that leaves us. Thankfully I’ve been spared from trying to reconcile this for myself (or else I’d go insane), as I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis.
I don’t feel that I’m better than anyone because of it. Nor was there some pivotal moment when I decided to forego it. I wasn’t really taught how to use makeup growing up, so I just never learned. I never had the urge to learn either. I guess I was born with no fucks to give.
I was also born with really rosey cheeks, so I guess that didn’t hurt. Although one time a girl walked up to me and informed me I was wearing too much blush. But if that should ever happen again, I relish the idea of responding “no, I woke up like this.” In all seriousness, I enjoy being able to say my rosiness is all-natural.
Anyway, I shouldn’t have to explain myself, even though I just did… but my point is this: Maybe you don’t wear makeup, and not necessarily for the same strange reasons as me, but they’re perfectly legitimate reasons. As are the reasons to wear makeup. The decision you make is simply a form of self-expression. You shouldn’t have to explain your reasons to express yourself, so let’s stop asking for them.
Featured image via Jakob Owens on Unsplash
I don’t wear makeup much for the exact same reason as you. Glad I’m not the only one!
I don’t wear makeup and when people say “You look so pretty today!” or the complete opposite, “You look awful.” I always reply with…”I woke up like this.”
And apparently I’m the only one who finds it funny. Awk.
Haahhaha. I’m not too bright today. Great post!
If you’re reading this, you’re all set, pardner!