I've always found it odd that some people think you can't be a smart, with-it, independent woman and enjoy wearing makeup. Hello? The two aren't mutually exclusive! It's not as though there's a secret society of with-it ladies that bans lip gloss. (In fact, noted feminist Gloria Steinem has some of the longest, most neatly manicured nails I've ever seen.)
That's exactly the topic that this article examines. While the author acknowledges the fact that women, not men, are expected to wear makeup, she also argues that using cosmetics was historically a form of empowerment—and even rebellion. She points to the late 1930s as an example, arguing that although most men disapproved of noticeable makeup, women decided to buy cosmetics anyway. And wait until you hear what they were buying:
Volupte introduced two new lipstick shades to American women, labeled "Lady" and "Hussy." "Lady" was marketed toward women who prefer lighter shades and "quiet, smart clothes and tiny strands of pearls," while "Hussy" was developed for women who wear dark shades and "like to be just a little bit shocking," according to Mademoiselle magazine in 1936. "Hussy" outsold "Lady" five to one.
I so wish I could buy a lipstick called Hussy. Anyway, while I don't agree with everything the writer says—I think looking good can be empowering, but wearing lipstick alone isn't going to smash sexism—it's an interesting read. And so I pose the question to you: Do you feel empowered by wearing makeup? Or is it just something you happen to do?
Therapy
Tommy Hilfiger
Miu Miu
lol well it was only rebellious when it was not socially accepted. since it is now, and one could say socially required, it is rebellious to not wear it.
empowering? i'm really not sure conformity is ever empowering.
1I don't think makeup is empowering. Enjoyable and fun would be better adjectives to describe my personal feelings towards wearing makeup.
2I agree with gigill. It's fun to play with color and styles, but not "empowering" exactly.
3I wouldn't say it's empowering, but it's definitely fun and something I do for me - even a confidence-booster sometimes.
I have this argument constantly with one of my best friends (a guy) who accuses me of "hiding" behind my makeup (which isn't particularly heavy or out-there) and doesn't understand why I wear it if I don't hate the way I look naturally... it's just that I feel like a better version of myself when I wear makeup. Does that make sense?
4I think it is empowering. I go to to the office everyday with well applied makeup concealing my under eye circles from working late the night before, a rosy glow that belies how tired I am, and masacara that makes me look bright-eyed and ready to tackle my day even though I could use four more hours of sleep. Makeup allows me to present myself in a manner says I can handle the most demanding assignments without a problem. I see men who have worked less hours than me look haggard, tired, and acne-ridden, while women get to cover all that up. If I someone looks like death at work, it sends the message that he can't tackle anymore tasks, and that could result in missing out on a great oppportunity, simply because he looks tired.
I am not a slave to makeup. I don't wear it on the weekends unless I want to go out, so I don't feel like it controls me or I am conforming to anything.
5it's just that I feel like a better version of myself when I wear makeup.
I feel the same way. It's great to be able to give myself some color and definition, and it makes me feel better about facing the world
6I definitely feel more confident with makeup on. It's similar to the same question women have been asking for years, which is, do appearances/the way you dress matter? The answer is yes, as I'm sure it is for many people. If I showed up to work in a smart business suit looking polished to negotiate a deal, I'd feel a hell of a lot better than if I showed up in a Juicy (shudder) tracksuit to do the same thing. Your outward appearance definitely affects your inner confidence and strength.
7absolutely i feel empowered! it's like putting on my game face to compete in the world = )
8It's empowering to look good and makeup helps that happen.
9I agree with gigill. I don't really impute any feminist properties to my make-up, but I do feel sorry for guys since they don't get to wear it. It's a lot of fun, and who doesn't want to feel a little prettier?
10I go through phases where I don't wear makeup, but I always come back to my lip gloss and mascara. I always feel a bit more pulled-together when I've got a little bit of makeup on, which is in turn a confidence booster.
I don't know about empowering- that's a pretty strong word. But it is enjoyable and fun.
11I agree with longhorn...It gives me so much confidence to look good and take on whomever I come across, haha!
12I agree with jkat.
I feel like I am more put together and polished when I have make-up on, especially in the work place.
I do think that something that improves confidence can be considered empowering; whether it is smoother skin and brighter eyes or flattering clothing, it all helps!
13I definitely agree with TidalWave. Wearing make-up is not empowering.
14I will never forget a guest speaker who came to my college years ago. She was Muslim and wore a head scarf. She told us that her strangest experience was when she was giving a lecture to a group of U.S. white women and they, their faces carefully done in make-up, asked how she could possibly allow herself to wear a head scarf; how could she consider herself an empowered woman with it on.
I don't know if it's necessarily empowering but it surely helps creat a confident feeling about how you look! And if you look good, you feel good!
15I love my makeup and can truly say I wear it for me, not for others. I'm perfectly capable of going out without any on and do so, quite often. But I prefer wearing it.
The time I spend in the morning or getting ready for a night out is mine and only mine. I get to spend some quality time in the mirror, thinking about the day ahead, psyching myself up for a big event...plus, it's tactile. I'm touching my skin, looking at it, enjoying the color, textures, scents. It can be a sensual experience (in the true sense of the word.)
And finally, lest I sound like a shill for the cosmetics industry, makeup lets me express who I am that day. Even better, I can wash it off as soon as I change my mind
So yeah, it is empowering. To me. Your mileage may vary.
16I know when I feel makeup I often feel better about myself, and that can only bring positive things my way right?
17When I wear make-up, I feel prettier, more feminine and more confident about how I look, so yes, I agree with it being empowering! It's something that I put on the outside but has an effect (psychological, of course) on my inside.
18It's not empowering. It's just enhancing who you really are--if you're a professional person, your make-up should be polished, sleek and clean ---therefore enhancing the image that you're "power-driven career woman" and contrary, if you work in a strip bar, then probably your make-up would enhance your "sultry, sexy, sleazy, vampy, " look that you want to project to the audience.
On the other hand, if make-up is wrongly done , it can send wrong messages. Like one time, I though I looked hot and pretty, but the image that the opposite sex got was that I'm easy, provocative and slutty.
19But generally make-up is "confidence-booster" because as I've said it enhances the way you look. You feel confident when your eyes are made-up and people notice it and that wearing make-up makes you not only confident but also creating an image that you're taking care of yourself.
Not empoweing but it makes you feel more confident, at least I do. Plus it's a fun part of my day, putting it all on.
20I only wear makeup when I feel that I want to be acknowledged in some way, whether it is professionally or romantically. People just seem to be more interested in what you are saying when you look well put together. Now, If I am going to Lowes or the mechanic to get my oil changed, I tone it down - dark rimmed glasses, sweatpants and no makeup.
21I agree with gigill, makeup is enjoyable and fun, oh how I love trying out new combinations..... *sigh* I love makeup.
22In one of my classes we talked about feminism and everyone in the class felt that real feminists don't wear makeup or read cosmo. I don't agree at all. I know plenty of men who wish that they could wear makeup and see the confidence that can come from wearing it.
23So interesting to read all of your thoughts. I definitely feel more confident when I have my undereye circles covered up, but I've never been like, "Aha! My lipstick will smash the patriarchy." Thanks for all of the insights!
24colors, brushes, canvas. makeup is like painting and I really see it as a creative outlet. noticing makeup that i like and trying to recreate it is interesting and fun! I see it as an expression of myself and what I like, just like clothes.
25Nothing outside of myself enables me to feel empowered- I choose to be powerful regardless of what I'm wearing.
26Make up helps me feel more confident, but I don't know if I would say it's empowering. I try not to use too much make up in my everyday life and leave it for special occasions - basically because it's not good for my skin and I like the way I look with no make up on. But yeah, make up is fun and playful and in some occasions it makes you feel better.
27I wouldn't say I feel more empowered exactly. I would probably choose the word confidant. I'm not exactly the pink lipgloss girl, I'm more of the shockingly blue turquoise eyeshadow girl. When I do wear color cosmetics I want to stand out and express my own individuality. So my glittery pink eyelashes may be a bit out there, but I feel comfortable knowing I am being me and not hiding behind the routine foundation, pink blush, neutral eye and lip color mask.
28Make-up is definitely fun but I really only wear it is in shows, you have a wear a ton of makeup.. I think that's why I don't where it on a day to day basis, theatre has me wearing it enough... On occasion though I will wear a bit of mascara since my lashes aren't very dark...
One thing though that I can't live without is my Burt Bee's Lip Balm!
29I don't know about empowering-but when I have on make-up I just feel more confident and just better about myself in general. I've had some people tell me I was going to hell for wearing make-up, but I think if I didn't wear make-up I might scare the hell out of some people! If that were me, I would definatly have bought the 'hussy' lipstick, and they could shove that 'lady' lipstick where the sun doesn't shine!
30Yes, it is totally empowering to me. I wear it at meetings and conferences, and any time I'll be speaking with people who I'd like to make a good impression on. I don't always wear it to work because I don't have time every morning, but I definitely feel more confident throughout the day with make up on.
31All I know is that if I don't wear makeup I don't recognize myself and i sure don't feel very feminine. My face is naturally ruddy, you can't see my blonde eyelashes, I have sparse eyebrows, I have dark circles under my eyes and hormomal acne issues.
If I throw on concealer, mascara, brow powder, blush and a tinted lipgloss - I feel like a happier version of me. It's retarded to admit - because it seems shallow - but I look better with makeup.
I just happen to love the hunt for products, websites like bellasugar, and putting it on in the morning is my "me time."
32I am a science student surrounded by a lot of men, and the few women around me generally don't take much notice of their own beauty. I do enjoy makeup (and generally femininity in general) in these surroundings to help me distinguish myself from the group. I lvoe being a owman and all that it entails, and I don't feel like my social surroundings should influence that.
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