First of all, I would like to say that I do my makeup when I go out. My post is not attacking people who do their makeup, but rather the concept of makeup itself. This also does not apply to makeup artistry. I'm speaking more about makeup that is used to enhance/cover features such as mascara, concealer, foundation, etc.

I have been thinking about this for some time, but I feel as though makeup has further enhanced the patriarchal beauty standard and in a way, us women have continued to allow the standard to stay unattainable and unnatural by doing makeup. So many women when confronted with someone against them wearing makeup argue "well I don't wear it for other people!" but I think that we all do, either consciously or subconsciously. I mean technically we might feel like we do it for our own self confidence, but i think that confidence is reliant on ideas of beauty created by society that we have learnt all throughout our lives (which we actively contribute to) because we want to feel like we are beautiful and conformed. I mean if we did it ONLY for ourselves and only dressed for ourselves, then why do most of us sit alone at home bare faced unless we are feeling bored and want to hype ourselves up. I feel like what we TRULY do for ourselves and not subconsciously for the beauty standard, is self care, such as hygiene, because makeup meant to enhance/manipulate our features has no true benefits.

I mean just considering concealer (which i use often) and contour, concealer literally covers dark circles which some of us naturally have, or blemishes. How can someone convince me that we don't cover these because we don't want others to see how tired we are, or see the "imperfections " in our skin.

I just feel like natural styles of makeup and filters on social media, etc. Just keep pushing unattainable beauty, and it makes me wonder if these things didn't exist, would we be more accepting of these so called "ugly traits" as a society. I mean when women judge men, some women even LIKE the tired rugged look, and its not like we care too much about a few blemishes or wrinkles on men. Men now are even turned off when they see a woman's bare face and think she's tired or sick, even tho they claim to loveee natural, because what they consider natural has been clouded by makeup that is purposely meant to look natural. A man who loves a truly natural girl either a. Is mature enough to love a woman past just her looks or appreciates how she looks regardless of whether she is completely "perfect" appearance wise or not OR b. She already naturally has the almost unattainable beauty standard of looks (clear skin, long lashes, etc).

I don't want to be coming off as a femcel, I just genuinely want to know what other people think because my personal experience has been that even tho I put mostly light makeup, I still feel like I feel extra beautiful with makeup, because without it, i almost feel bare, with my dark undereyes, or light brown and straight eyelashes, or whatever I feel insecure about that day doesn't fit the perfect mold that continues to be perpetuated, and I imagine maybe others feel the same. Or maybe you completely disagree! I want to know or maybe even change my mind, cause it is a bit of a pessimistic mindset.