“Why? Don’t you want to look pretty? A little bit of makeup could enhance your natural beauty.”
These statements have often been difficult to hear, as many people have voiced their opinions about how I should wear makeup. Sometimes subtle, unintentional suggestions can be frustrating. Hearing statements such as, “But it won’t look like you’re wearing any,” is often the most obnoxious. I wonder to myself, what is the point? But the fact remains that it is my face, and I am in control of it.
To most people, the idea that I’m comfortable with my natural beauty does not seem to cross their minds. Yes, it is true — I have never worn makeup, and while I may realize that this self-assertion may come off as a bit pretentious, I strongly believe that makeup does not constitute beauty. To be beautiful is to be confident in yourself, to be proud of what makes you who you are. It is to reflect your unique physical features as well as the deeper diverse aspects of your background. I am not stating that makeup is not necessary, but instead, that it should not be held as a means to attractiveness.
Makeup is often an accessory to looking presentable and feeling dressed up and can often be used as a form of art. What is not acceptable is to use it as a shield to walk out of your home. According to a survey by the Renfrew Center Foundation, about 44 percent of women feel unattractive without makeup. Although, “#wokeuplikethis” selfies and several body acceptance movements are making an effort toward appreciating ourselves.
My neglect toward makeup is a personal reminder that I know that I have beauty. In a society that pressures individuals to keep up with appearances at all times, I have found it to be more important not to wear makeup. I want to prove that it is possible for myself, that I can be strong without it because I am a strong individual. In order to be dedicated to this idea, this includes social occasions and presentations.
In addition to being able to own your natural beauty, there are many benefits to using less makeup. It saves time from getting ready. It saves money. And for me personally, it saves sanity from keeping up with the hassle of trends.
While I can talk about how I feel strongly about makeup and believe that it should not be a necessity for people to depend on, this can be applied to any goal. If you really feel passionate about something, you need to be strong about your opinions. Do not give up because you do something or believe in something that is different from the majority of the population. Being able to hold your opinion shows that you are a strong individual — whether it pertains to wearing makeup or going without it — and maybe if you are lucky, people will look up to you one day.