I kinda get annoyed when people don’t “get” critiques of the norm of wearing makeup
the criticism shouldn’t be aimed at women who enjoy wearing makeup, who have fun with it, who are talented and artistic when it comes to wearing makeup - but rather at the fact that women wearing makeup is normalized. yes, men talk about women who wear “too much” makeup or “crazy” makeup, but the point is that a neutral-colored eyeshadow look and full face is preferred because women are supposed to look flawless. individual choices are somewhat irrelevant - or should be to the criticism made
not all women wear makeup because they’re fierce femmes or want to subvert the male gaze or have fun doing it. in fact, most women i know wear it because they think they’re ugly without it. they think it’s a mandate that they must wear makeup just as they feel about shaving body hair. in attitudinal surveys, women say that they do it because it’s a norm, because they feel ugly otherwise, etc.they won’t leave the house without it and that’s obviously not out of love for makeup but self-hate and it’s something that is not imposed on men,.
one of my roommates from last year spent an hour doing makeup every morning just because she thought it was absurd and disgusting for women not to wear makeup. she regularly commented on women who didn’t wear makeup and said how gross and unladylike it was. even my sisters who enjoy makeup also think of it as a part of being a woman and something all women must come around to.
(via myladymother)
