Originally Published: Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Written by: Becky
Morning Routine and Personal Style
I get up in the morning, a task in itself, and if I go out, I might put a little effort into wiping the sleep out of my eyes and grimace/try to fix the state of my face from another late night. By that, I mean freezing cold water and I’m done. Yes, it is a personal choice to make yourself up before you go out, but, early morning plus effort is not a strong point of mine. Back to the point, I throw on my jeans held together with safety pins, a ratty and overly-faded top and I’m done.
My Stance on Makeup
I don’t wear makeup for my own personal reason. And this is; it’s fake. Unfortunately, in society today we do base first impressions on appearance (unless you’re talking about the internet but let’s not go there) because, to be honest, it’s the first thing you see. To have someone like me on the basis of a face that isn’t really my own, to be considered “pretty” only when I’m covering up what I really look like (to a certain extent), and most importantly to have someone base their entire opinion, first or not on what I don’t really look like is disgusting.
Makeup as a Social Conformity
It’s fake. There is so much pressure for girls to be these beautiful creatures. Feminist, anti-establishment, whatever, whether you use a different coloured eye shadow every day in some vivid colour, or whether you draw an inch-thick line of kohl around your eyes; the point is, you use makeup to conform to a certain acceptance of beauty, whatever lifestyle you consider yourself a part of. Again, it is a personal choice to cover your face up or not, but, whether you feel you have to, to be happy with yourself or not, it still is a form of conforming.
Living Without Makeup
No big deal, I don’t wear makeup. I’m sure this doesn’t have a huge effect on anyone. My boyfriend doesn’t complain, I don’t have to spend my lack of money on a product I don’t want let alone need, and if someone is so shallow enough to have a problem with it, I’ve never heard anything from it. Quite rightly too.
Experiencing Judgement at a Local Club
However, that changed, and it really did shock me. Local music club under the name of “Smiths” is a popular place for a thriving local music scene; it’s my second home practically and the atmosphere alone is worth going. The people I have met there have become extremely close to me, (I even met my boyfriend there during one of his own gigs) and you’d expect people who share interests would get along, right?
Criticism for Not Wearing Makeup
“Misfits” and “misfits” coming together to form a bond against the majority? I think not. A very indiscreet conversation between several, and might I add slightly drunk, girls quite openly “have a go” about my lack of makeup. I don’t know whether because they thought I was unattractive (not that it would bother me) or whether it was just so untrue, but obviously, because I did not have panda eyes there was no way I should be in such a “rock club”.
Personal Reflection on Image and Society
A lot of people will call this petty, and pointless, but I’m not bothered. Image is huge. Especially in Western Society, almost everything is based on looks. You can not get a job you’re more than capable of because your top doesn’t quite completely cover your tattoo and your hairs shows one too many earrings. Image is bigger than most people like to admit, it really is, and I’d hate to think that me, and other girls, really are looked upon differently just because we can’t be bothered (or we have our other reasons).
Closing Note
[NOTE: I accept criticism, hate mail, compliments and feedback with no problem. Offence is not intentional, nor aimed at anyone in particular unless specified. Thanks.]
