briana writes about women and their obsession with fashion and cosmetics.
i find it interesting she should bring this up now. having just bought the first lipstick i’ve ever owned that i can wear every day, and not just on occassions, i’m starting to reconsider it’s worth.
i’ve never been a big make-up wearer, a little neutral eyeliner and mascara if i’m feeling really cute. foundation and lipstick were only brought out for big-time productions such as xmas parties or somesuch. i appreciate the art of using makeup to enhance, but i’ve always rallied against it being necessary to my being accepted as an attractive woman (and god knows i’ve had enough issues trying to accept myself as one).
the same has almost always gone for my wardrobe. function and comfort above all else, is my motto. that’s not to say that i haven’t suffered to attempt to impress. i think all women do (and a lot of men, as well) at some point, but there are some who have just gotten so entrenched in the pinching shoes and binding clothes and clumpy makeup that they honestly don’t think they can leave the house without their acoutrements.
it’s like a mask they put on to help them face the world. that’s not to say it’s an inherently bad thing, everyone has different faces they put on to deal with different situations. i think the difference is we’re talking about an actual external armour these people put on every morning to enable them to function in the world. i can’t help but think that it insulates them from both the negatives and the positives out there.
i don’t wear makeup to feel protected from the world. i wear it when i want to be noticed. it’s my way of saying “hey! i like the way i feel about myself today and i want you to see that!” the majority of the time, i can’t be bothered. i don’t feel 100% at ease when i have all sorts of cosmetics on my face. i may be seeking a little more attention, but that doesn’t necessarily mean i feel comfortable doing so.