Almost all women use makeup on a regular, if not daily basis. They cover up the portions of their face that they find unattractive with many strange and expensive products. They also use makeup to accentuate and enhance the features they find attractive about themselves. Many women have a negative body image and use make up to try to compensate for that, as well as make themselves feel better about their appearance. Make up gives some confidence, and boosts others self esteem. That's not necessarily a bad thing in itself, but the way the media pressures women to cover their flaws is.
On all of today's popular television shows, the women on them are portrayed as physically unflawed. Then during the commercial breaks, make up ads are shown to the viewers as if to say: "If you want to look beautiful (like the characters on the show), you must buy/use our product!" Also, the fact that almost everyone uses make up puts even more pressure upon females in society. If one girl does not put on her make up one day, she will feel less attractive or less superior to the girls around her. Women are also expected to look good at all times. This is shown easily by the time it takes a man versus a woman to get ready in the morning. Growing up with a sister, I know it all too well. It takes me roughly 25 minutes from waking up to get out the door and take on the day. My sister on the other hand almost always takes 1-2 hours to prepare for the day. From perfecting her hair to applying all the different kinds of make up, it's all done because of the pressures from society. This is an example of "docile bodies", because she is modifying her appearance. She uses make up to alter and enhance her outer image, so that she feels better with her inner image of herself as well. Make up is so engrained in our culture, it obviously isn't going to go anywhere soon. Regardless of my, or others opinion on the subject, women will continue to apply make up to themselves as long as it boosts their self image.
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ReplyDeleteAlright... well I accidentally deleted my comment... sooo I guess I'll try this again.
ReplyDelete"Strange and expensive products" would be very correct. It's ridiculous how expensive make-up is, not to mention, I'm 90% positive they raise the price probably by a dollar every day. I find it even more interesting that the prices don't stop me from buying it, and I'm pretty sure it never will. The whole concept of make-up is weird to think about, especially considering what half of these products are made of, and that we rub them on our faces without even hesitating.
I like how you said women are expected to look good at all times, and I think that's so true. Make-up surely has an effect on your self esteem, but I think it has even more of an impact on you socially. If I forget to put make-up on in the morning, I don't feel terrible about myself and want to crawl in a hole, but I do worry about who might see me looking like this. It's funny how society takes products that are supposedly "personal" enhancers, and turns them into things that make you beautiful for everyone else, rather than yourself.