From Barbie Dolls to Brushes and Bronzer
Being a girl growing up in the 21st century, I’ve experienced the ins and outs of social standards inflicted on young females since birth. It is common knowledge that as soon as girls become a certain age, it’s time to exchange Barbie dolls for brushes and bronzer. When I was younger, I missed the step in adolescence where I was meant to delve into the realm of makeup artists and beauty gurus. From James Charles to Pat McGrath, I watched as my friends slowly started engaging in the creative yet terrifying world of makeup. It wasn’t until I got to high school that I realized how behind I actually was. Social media became the number one outlet for fashion and beauty guides and I couldn’t even begin to relate. Not only was I excluded from the majority population that had spent years perfecting their flawless contour and highlight regime, but I was also forced into second guessing my femininity. I hated being seen as “not girly enough,” as if being a woman automatically suggests being gifted with natural beautifying abilities that I very much lacked.
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A good friend of mine growing up started using makeup as an outlet for her artistic ability at a very young age. She’d spend hours a day applying brilliant colors of all variety to create spectacular works of art that she showed off on all social media platforms. I was in awe of the intricate linework and blending that was involved in the process but was never able to mimic her work good enough to actually wear outside of the house. Consequently, I spent my teenage years seen with either a naked face or no more than a few swipes of mascara (at least that, I could manage properly). However, what resulted from this was something I will forever cherish and wish upon the females of the next coming generations. Through my lack of cosmetic capability I, at last, became not only comfortable in my own skin but confident in it. I grew to love every odd-ball freckle and forehead wrinkle that would otherwise be concealed by a layer of lightly tanned foundation. I created my own daily routine that involved washing my face, brushing my teeth, and then possibly applying mascara if I felt I wanted a little something to boost my confidence for that day. Yes, applying the little makeup I owned did make me feel beautiful and self-assured but I no longer felt like I was missing out on the socially manufactured necessity to wear cosmetic products.
By the time I got to college I was so comfortable with my bare-faced look that I was able to better understand my own self worth during the most crucial period of self discovery a woman can go through. Not only did this lead to a lack of dependence on man-made maquillage, but also the ability to perceive every part of myself as something that did not need to be covered up or concealed. I became comfortable wearing my own style of clothing and allowed myself to experiment with different wardrobes to discover what I felt complimented me and my natural self the most.
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Not to be misconstrued, I completely feel as though makeup can and should be used as a source of self expression and an outlet for creativity. However, thirteen year old me would have been much better off understanding that what is considered to be the social norm isn't always what works best for everyone. The idea that all women are naturally gifted with the ability to apply makeup is like saying all men are born with the ability to play sports: both concepts are outdated and obsolete. Young girls are being pressured into conforming to society's expectations and, in the end, not accepting their unique, natural beauty. My best friend now not being able to leave the house without putting on fake lashes and my older sister applying foundation to her cheeks to hide miniscule acne scars are just a few of the many first hand experiences that came from the internalized need to hide imperfections and natural “flaws.” Women are hesitant to go all natural because they have been told that wearing makeup is more attractive and mature, when in reality being confident and owning the way you look, with or without makeup, is the most important step to loving yourself and knowing your own self worth.
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I can preach all day about reasons why one must stray from conforming to societal expectations and learn to accept their individual beauty, but this is much harder said than done. If you are currently dependent on your daily makeup routine and are needing motivation to step out of your comfort zone and into the motherland of self-acceptance, I have two steps that may help:
Start everyday feeling beautiful. The morning is the most important time of the day and sets the mood for how the rest of your day will go. Start by looking in the mirror and repeating affirmations that compliment a specific attribute to your appearance that you admire or even better, that you aren’t as fond of.
Do something that makes you happy while wearing what makes you happy. In other words, correlate wearing little to no makeup with an action that you feel beautiful and confident doing. For example, if going out to eat with friends makes you happy, then try doing it with a bare face. Friends should make you feel confident no matter what and will help you see yourself as the divine creature that you are.
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“Be brave enough to take off the masks you wear out there and get to know who you are underneath. Be vulnerable enough to accept your flaws and know that they are what make you human; they are what make you real.” - Nikki Banas
Strike Out,
Zoe Norman
Boca Raton