BEDA #4: Makeup

eep.
I almost forgot today’s BEDA entry.
I don’t have anything in particular prepared for today, though. What should I talk about? Don’t worry, today’s entry won’t be as verbose as yesterday’s, obviously.

Hmm. Recently I’ve started my foray into MAKEUP. The dreaded thing that society imposes on young females. Though speaking of females, I think some guys could really do with proper skincare. Have you noticed the proportion of males with greasy faces vs the proportion of females?! It’s partly the fault of biology, but us women have shiny faces as well, and most of us *do* something about it.

Also if men are more prone to higher levels of oil production, shouldn’t they do more to prevent breakouts and the like? Actually using facial wash would be a start. Guys don’t like to get zits either. They could move on to a skincare routine-- men’s facial products are becoming more easily obtainable nowadays. There’s even guy concealer and guyliner. And those brows, people! Tame them, especially if you have a unibrow. (I’m starting to sound like Liane.)

I sound like I’m arguing that looking good is a public service-- that someone is doing it for the sake of other people. I do think that getting dressed up for formal events and looking presentable is a social requirement, especially if you’re doing it for work. (Incidentally, have you noticed that the grooming requirements are stricter for women then men? Women have to put their faces on and worry about their hair, and even their wardrobe combinations. Men just put on a shirt and pants, and run some gel through their hair. No need to worry if their outfits are suitably contemporary or if their makeup is running, or if their feet hurt from the heels. It is arguable that it is optional for women to put their faces on or wear heels, but at a networking session, first impressions are vital. A lady wearing a dated suit might be prematurely judged by a client for being out of touch with current trends. But a man who sports a traditional combover and is wearing an ill-fitting suit isn’t judged by the same standards. The combover might be a sign of seniority, or might signal that the person is better able to relate to senior executives.)

But on a regular basis, sometimes spending more time on one’s appearance might make one feel better. By pretending that you look good, even though you feel like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, can help you convince yourself that you don’t feel so bad.

Makeup is a contentious subject. Initially I boycotted it, like a feminist would burn bras. I felt that it was a socially imposed requirement, and refused to conform.

Until I discovered that makeup makes you look OLDER. xD
But really, sometimes makeup is like a mask that I put on to convince myself that I look better than I actually do. And in the case of prom, when I dressed up as amanda palmer, makeup was the mask for me to be someone else. Because I wasn’t myself, I could do whatever I wanted. It was a tool for me to act like I couldn’t normally, and gave me courage to um... wear minimal clothes in public and sport drawn-on eyebrows. YEAH.

So. Discussion questions.
Do you wear makeup? If yes, do you wear it all the time or some of the time? (I only wear it when I’m with friends. :P)
Do you think that makeup is a product of current societal ILLS? That it is a DECADENT LUXURY?
Do you think that guys should wear makeup?

fire away. :D