Yesterday, I decided to do a tally in my mind. I'd go from class to class counting the number of women with and without make-up and establish a rough ratio. Sadly, I was unable to do this because every woman I saw had makeup. Not joking. I wish I were. Every girl in my Italian class, every girl I saw in my chem and bio lecture.
Well, when the ratio reached 1:50, I stopped counted and began thinking. Either everyone else has figured something out that I've missed, or I've missed a mini social plague. Who knows?
Here's what I've been told: women who care about themselves wear make-up. Women who want to show dedication and status and education dress well. Women who want to be taken seriously, who want to look proper, who want male attention--it all comes back to makeup and dressing.
Well, damn. That sounds a lot like the moral of the story is you get through life successfully on looks, that what you feel and who you are come second to phenotype and physicality. To an extent, I understand looking cleaned up for a job, but going to a Friday class in prom attire is going overboard. And for what it's worth, here's a funny correlation I've noticed: women who mask themselves in layer upon layer of make-up and wear beautiful and ornate clothing are building decorative facades to distract from the truth: they're not comfortable in their own skin. They can't bear to go through the day without a shield or crutch. I can't say that I'm sorry, but I almost wish I understood the logic behind "Oh, you know you're my friend because you've seen me without make-up?" Really? Is that your measuring stick? I get there's a possible metaphor about unmasking and being you around your true friends, but does wearing make-up change you that much? Who gives a damn what other people think about you? Honestly, no one cares if you show up to class in sweat pants with ridiculous socks, a green and yellow striped stocking hat, and bright purple flip flops with rhinestones. I realize that some people think that the entire world is staring at them 24-7. I hate to break it to you, but you're not that special. People are so introspective and wrapped up in themselves that they really can't be bothered to look and take notice of you, and if they somehow do, I assure you, it doesn't matter because they don't matter. No one cares if you mismatch your shoes or wear your shirt backwards. Do things because you like them, not because you need to fit a mold or gain the approval of some social clique. It sounds cliche, but it's true and also unfortunate that some people don't live by it.
And frankly, some of these women look ready for Cats, not work. A few days ago I went to the gym and saw at least four women in pearls, not to mention another half dozen in make-up. Really? Really? You opt to go to the gym in make-up? Perhaps I've missed a lesson here, have a deficient education, but I thought make-up, jewelry, dresses--all that nonsense--was for special occasions, and that the gym didn't qualify. And really, how good can anyone look when they look like they've applied make-up with a trowel? Seriously, less is more. I promise.
I'm not saying that low self-esteem causes women to wear make-up or dress nicely. I'm just saying the connections are interesting.
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