Who’re you to define our beauty choices?

By Muskaan Srivastava & Ishika Jain

“Wow, she’s put way too much product on her face, what a catfish”, “She looks like a different person with makeup, how fake”, “She’s put on so much makeup, what an attention-seeking whore”

Heard of those? No, oh okay what about these:

“Eww her pimples are so gross, she needs to really put on some foundation”, “She’s really got to conceal those dark circles, how ugly”, “Look at her putting no effort in her appearance while I’ve worn this tuxedo for our fine-dining date”

These are the oxymorons that people wearing makeup hear every now and then.

Said by who you ask?

People around us have many opinions regarding one’s appearance. But who can even decide the optimal amount of makeup an individual should put? Oh, by the way, the answer’s no one but them themselves :) Men and women constantly try to put others down which is unnecessary in an already chaotic, judgy, and unconventional world. How is it affecting you anyway? It’s not like they’re putting or not putting makeup on your faces.

Clearly putting too much or too little makeup is seen to be a problem.

Here are some things that people that put “too much makeup” have to deal with:

1. You’re asking for it:

Unmarried women are often not supposed to put red lipstick as it’s for prostitutes. Scientists at University of Manchester also found that red lips draw attention to the mouth, most notable by the opposite gender, and doing so indicates you’re trying to lure them. Huh, ever thought of the most obvious reason, that we might just like how much of a boss lady we feel in those bold red lips?

2. You would look much better without it:

Well, I know I don't need it, but I want it and I like how I look with it and feel good. So excuse me, let me continue putting more.

3. You’re lying about your appearance:

Ew, you’ve put so much powder and literally baked your face, it looks really fake and plastic looking and that’s deceptive to others. Well, I’m sorry sir I didn’t know you’re that gullible to actually think I was born with sparkly eyelids and glowing cheeks.

4. Who are you trying to impress:

No, I’m not spending hours blending for a man who won’t even notice if I don't. Sometimes, we like to feel pretty for ourselves too you know? Ever heard of self care, self empowerment, self love?

5. “I don’t have the time and money for it, I’d rather spend it on better things”:

Ahh, these self-righteous girls are the worst, we all know them by the ones that try to criticise us for our choices. Girl, you do you, but don’t put the rest of us down:) Oh, also don’t worry about my makeup choices last time I checked you weren’t responsible for my Sephora bills.

6. I could never put so much:

“I don't need it to look pretty”, well good to know, but I feel better in it, so move.

7. You must be super conscious:

Because wanting to look your best indicates insecurity and not self love?? Hopefully you know that those perfect VS models that have flawless skin also put makeup on, I don’t think they're insecure of their quintessential features. So did I prove you wrong yet? And even if I am ill at ease about my acne and some foundation can help then why not, don’t you gel your hair at parties?

No, they’re not the only ones attacked by our society, even those who don’t put enough makeup are said things to, as followed:

1. You look just like a man:

Yes, because when you shave your beard you turn into a girl right? Also, how does putting on some powder and mascara make me a woman? Please explain the logic and correlation thanks.

2. Your lackadaisical attitude towards your appearance in public seems like you’re sad:

No, putting on light makeup or no makeup doesn’t mean I’ve been crying all day or managing my way through a breakup. Some of us just like to do the bare minimum because your opinion hardly matters.

3. It’ll help you feel more confident:

Maybe I’m confident because I don’t need to hide my pimples or the people around appreciate me just the way I am? How can a third person decide how confident I am anyway?

4. Everyone puts makeup, you’ll be the odd one out:

What if I was going for that? Good to know everyone puts it, I’d rather do what I want than be a part of the herd.

5. It seems like you don’t know how to put it:

Well, you claim to know how to block your ex but do you really? Haha, anyway, it’s not imperative to always do what you know.

6. You look tired without makeup:

“I know a good concealer that would cover it up”, I’m sorry I’ve been overworking, but let me just put the damn concealer so I could look like a barbie for dinner.

7. It’s time you enhance your beauty for your man:

No, we don’t put in that much effort just to please our man. If my man doesn’t like me without makeup, then let him go find his own Kylie Jenner, also good luck doing that!

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The stigmatization of makeup is still prevalent in society. The circular nature of this issue is impossible to tackle, though as individuals we can be better when it comes to judging others.

So remember, regardless of which category you fall under, it is up to you, and only you when it comes to finding the optimal amount of makeup that suits your skin and personality. A woman’s worth and value shouldn’t be based on how beautiful she looks or how perfect her winged eyeliner is. While it is true that putting on makeup helps an individual express themselves powerfully, show a sign of confidence, it is in no way correlated that when someone doesn’t put adequate makeup is lacking confidence and self-will.

Also, just FYI, boys if you really wanna take your girl for a swim on the first date to figure out it’s not the 1980s, there’s waterproof makeup now.

Remember, as long as you’re confident, nothing else matters and life’s too short to give a damn of what others think!