#3: "The Power of Rogue Pot"
Our society has become engulfed in an unfortunate mindset
that puts way too much emphasis on a person's outward appearance. Women, in
particular, have felt the harsh blows of such a notion. "Rogue pot",
or, as many of us call it, makeup, has
served as the very epitome of society's ignorance on this subject. Not only has
society adopted the idea that makeup is what makes a woman beautiful, but
society has went as far as to criticize or look down upon those who choose to
refrain from being covered with this artificial beautifier. In the same way, it
is unfair and unjust to judge a woman based on the amount of makeup she wears
as opposed to the content of her character.
Take a look at these photos.Which side looks more appealing? The right side. Why?
Because society has raised and trained us to accept the fact that women look
more physically attractive when makeup is applied. Just take a look at social
media today and you will be able to see the huge role makeup plays into our
lives. In fact, there is a whole section in some magazines dedicated to
publicly exposing and criticizing celebrities caught without makeup. Is it really that big of a deal to one day
decide not to wear mascara or eyeliner? Apparently, to some people, it is. Pursuing
this further, let's take a look at some of the girls at our school. It is
almost an apocalypse when they wake up late and don't have time to put on
makeup or fix their hair. Once again, is it really that big of a deal?
Our society stresses the wondrous effects of makeup far too
heavily with global makeup investments totaling over $18 billion. Makeup serves as a mask
to who an individual really is. Let's take a more extreme version of this
mask--plastic surgery. Studies have shown that most people agree that this form
of altering one's body is unnatural and is a repulsive way to attract the
opposite sex. However, society has nailed this notion into our minds that a
curvy women is an attractive women. Therefore, to become more appealing,
countless women are considering plastic surgery to fit society's mold of
"the perfect woman." The reasons behind plastic surgery and the heavy
use of makeup are quite similar. Are women not wearing makeup because they want
to look more beautiful than they already are? Are women not wearing makeup
because society has told them that doing so enhances one's appearance?
Furthermore, in a case called Jesperson vs. Harrah's Casino,
a female bartender was fired for "refusing to comply with the casino's
requirements that she wear makeup and have her hair teased, curled, or
styled." This bartender did not feel the need to be "dolled up"
as it "diminished her authority" and made her seem vulnerably weak. Was
it that bad that she felt confident enough to retain her natural beauty?
This is not to say that I am completely against the use of
makeup, however. I am just pointing out that society places way to big a stress
on the use of such enhancers. For example, when a woman has to prepare for an
interview or a formal event, what does she put on? Some nice clothes
accompanied by the use of makeup because we have this notion in our heads that
makeup is what makes an individual look likeable and professional. However, like
I mentioned earlier, I am not against the use of makeup as a whole, because I,
myself, use makeup on certain occasions. Makeup, in some cases, is used as a
self esteem booster. If you look good, you feel good, and there is certainly
nothing wrong with taking pride in your appearance. Therefore, if a woman feels
that makeup improves her own outlook as well as how others perceive her, then,
by all means, let her wear makeup. However, makeup should not, and never should
have been, a huge and essential factor in determining the character of a woman.
Beauty, as well as makeup, is what you make of it. Continue to wear makeup if
you so please because I know I will. Just note that it is not essential in
becoming a beautiful person. Like Anne Roiphe once said, "A woman whose
smile is open and whose expression is glad [possesses] a kind of beauty no
matter what she wears."
Work Cited
Bitonte, Kendall.
"Opinion: It's Time to Go Makeup Free | USA TODAY College." Opinion: It's Time to Go Makeup Free | USA TODAY College. N.p., 16 Apr.
2012. Web. 03 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.usatodayeducate.com/staging/index.php/opinion/opinion-its-time-to-go-makeup-free>.
Rhode, Deborah.
"A Choice, Not a Requirement." New York Times. N.p., 2 Jan.
2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/01/02/does-makeup-hurt-self-esteem/a-choice-not-a-requirement>.
Samhita.
"Want to Be Taken Seriously Ladies? Wear Make-up!" Want to Be Taken Seriously Ladies? Wear Make-up! N.p., 4 Oct. 2011. Web. 03 Feb. 2013.
<http://feministing.com/2011/10/04/want-to-be-taken-seriously-ladies-wear-make-up/>.
This is totally true. A woman should not have to use makeup because society tells her it is the right thing to do. I personally feel like wearing makeup makes me feel more confident, but I don't cake my face in the stuff. Being able to feel confident and beautiful without makeup should be what society is pushing, not caking on layer after layer of makeup that makes you more "beautiful." In reality, it just makes you fake.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you that one's appearance should not be the focus of their life. Someone will live a much happier life if they focus on the goals they can take to make them a better person, not a "prettier" or "sexier" person. Nowadays, with commercials, magazines, and other media sources, one's visual appearance has too large of an impact on one's life, causing negative effects. For example, many people have developed eating disorders because of the pressure of looking more thin. People need to learn to accept the body and features they were born with and be proud of them.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, this is a major concern in today's society. There is way too much focus on outer appearances when really--sounds cliche, but--the inside is what matters. Women mask themselves behind loads of make up because of feelings of insecurity and it's becoming the new trend. It has a huge impact on women's lives and they worry too much on things that should not even matter.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree with you, Jessica. The problem is not women who wear makeup or take pride in their makeup, but society and the media for dictating what looks good and what doesn't. A woman should be free to wear whatever she wants, but the fact that those who don't wear makeup are chastised is horrible. On the opposite side of the spectrum, women who choose not to wear makeup are criticized as well, turning the question of whether or not to use makeup into a sort of tightrope. Should women wear none or are they wearing too much? Either way they face criticism. So I do hope that in the future people will choose to not judge my someone's appearance and rather look at what's inside.
ReplyDeleteJessica, I'm glad you wrote a post on this because I think it is som important that society understands the truth--that women don't need to rely on makeup to look or feel beautiful! Confidence can be gained in other ways, whether it be through hard work or accomplishments. Personally, I feel like I rely too much on makeup to feel confident because of how beauty is portrayed in magazines as being what looks best. Honestly though, I would think that being more confident in who you are is more attractive quality than simply being pretty on the outside. I guess it all boils down to society's image of what is accepted as beautiful and what isn't. As for the magazines criticizing those celebrities brave enough to face society in their natural skin, I think it is ridiculous! If anything, these women should be applauded for doing what so many others are too afraid to try.
ReplyDeleteJessica, I'm ecstatic that you decided to write about something as important as this. Growing up, I was picked on and bullied for how I looked. I am glad to say that I am now able to look past all the hate, but it saddens me to say that many young girls still don't know how special they are. In my mind, intelligence is the most important trait a person should have. When it all comes down to it, smarts always wins over beauty. The most respected people in the world are the most intelligent. I think every young girl should not only strive for increasing their intelligence, but also their confidence.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you on this. Its ridiculous that society can define beauty based on what a woman puts on her face. There is so much more to life than appearances, which can't get you very far alone. The purpose of makeup is to emphasize features you like about yourself, not determine whether or not you're considered pretty. With or without makeup, society should emphasize internal beauty, the most important beauty of all.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Jessica that society should base their opinions of a person based on their looks alone. It is the person inside that should be judged. The most beautiful woman in the world could be an inherent racist, but then she wouldn't be so beautiful would she?
ReplyDeleteOh gosh I completely agree. I think there is a ridiculous amount of weight placed on the appearance of young women in regards to makeup and the perceived achievments they will reach in the future. That is not only incredibly wrong, but also incredibly sexist because this idea is basically insulting a woman's intelligence in saying that it has no potential for greatness without looks and makeup. Women do not need to be judged by how they look and how much makeup they wear, but by their actions and thoughts.
ReplyDelete