Vishwaveda Joshi, Contributor
Featured image courtesy of Arif Kudus
Recognizing that there are billions of beautiful faces in the world will help women empower other women.
While staring at my face in the 55-inch mirror in the bathroom, I realized that I looked beautiful.
“Well, you really have a good looking face,” the indistinct voice within me shrieked as the glass coated with amalgam mirrored my unique visage. As a range of thoughts raced through my mind, I realized that all faces are beautiful because they are unique.
Faces reflect creativity and radiance, but when women have to cover their faces with concealers, full-coverage foundations, and blush, the unique personality written all over the face vanishes and a new glamorous visage appears.
Cosmetic use is common among women. In spring 2008, almost 107 million people bought cosmetics or items of skin care. While some women use makeup just for fun, others feel empowered. But some women feel the need to use makeup or they will feel ostracized by society.
Society and makeup advertisements construct women as objects and expect them to have a particular aesthetic look. In post-modern society, women and men have become subjected to a market where not looking beautiful and spotless seems like a social faux-pas. In the words of Michel Foucault, women are docile bodies, bodies that may be subjected, used, transformed, improved, and are expected to look attractive and sexy in order to be accepted by men and other women.
The recent campaign led by YouTuber Em Ford, You Look Disgusting, created a stir among people. By posting photos without makeup, this United Kingdom-based beauty blogger aimed at creating awareness among women that we’re so used to seeing false images of perfection and comparing ourselves to unrealistic beauty standards that it can be hard to remember the most important thing: you are beautiful.
The problem today is that society swerves between makeup and character. Women using makeup are called fake and unnatural, whereas women who aren’t using makeup are called ugly.
All men and women as a collective should understand that inner character and external appearance should not be linked. Women who use makeup are not fake or bitchy, but they either do it for fun or to look more presentable. For some women, makeup is a symbol of empowerment.
In a modern society, makeup can be empowering as it helps a woman stand out. Makeup has become encoded not as emblematic of a “painted lady” of suspect morals, but as decorous, a second skin that enables women to leave the private domain.
Makeup can make a woman feel confident and charismatic in the public space. One study showed that makeup makes a woman more likable by her co-workers, while also making them think of her as more trustworthy and competent.
Students on campus had mixed opinions about makeup. Most narratives stated that makeup makes girls feel fresh and magical. At the same time, they are content with the way they look without makeup.
“Contrary to popular belief, I feel that makeup isn’t necessarily the only tool for women to feel empowered or beautiful,” says Karishma Savani, a first-year psychology student.
However, if it is something that is helping them boost their self-esteem, then sure, why not? But at some point they will have to start feeling comfortable in their own skin, she adds.
“Makeup, in my opinion, is an accessory similar to bags, shoes, and such things which are usually categorized as accessories. Most of the time, I choose not to apply makeup but it could be an option in the future. Most importantly, I don’t agree to the association of makeup with gender roles,” says Vinita Divgi, a third-year psychology student.
Makeup isn’t really a tool to hide flaws, rather it is a tool to highlight the beauty with which we are born with. Changing our perspectives on why women use makeup and trying out new shades will help us as active and responsible citizens in society by creating a place where everyone is respected for who they are. Makeup is a form of self-expression. People do not only wear makeup to look presentable, but wear it because it is a part of their identity.
While leaving the bathroom, the indistinct inner voice firmly posed a question, “Who is the most beautiful face in the world?” I answered, it’s not just Victoria Justice or Jennifer Aniston, it’s every single woman that shows the depth and personality written all over her face by using, or not using cosmetics.
Makeup is a woman’s art and beauty; it is her personality.
Today, remind yourself that you are beautiful.
