The Dehumanization of Makeup

Before reading: This is a short commentary on stuff I’ve noticed surrounding the topic of makeup, I try to cover as much as possible but there is a lot to talk about when it comes to this. Also by expressing these opinions I am NOT condemning anyone for using makeup or for not using makeup, people are free to enjoy whatever they like and I am not the one who decides that. This is a critique to society.

Essay:

Ancient Egyptians were one of the first civilizations to use makeup, however different to modern times, the use of makeup symbolized wealth and a strong appeal to the Egyptian Gods. Makeup was genderless, both women and men were able to wear it. However it was until the 1800s that makeup became strictly for women.

Nowadays we see makeup everywhere and it is *most of the times* accessible, depending on the brand and store you get it from. However, society has dehumanized those who engage in the use of makeup, like extravagant eyeshadow, big eyeliner and several shades of lipstick. In media we see the antagonistic women wearing exaggerated makeup. Whereas a woman who is wearing “natural” or “little to no makeup” is represented as pure and beautiful. A good example of this could be Maleficent and Aurora (sleeping beauty). It is clearer in the live action scenes, Maleficent, who has been known for being a Disney villain, wears darker eyeshadow along with bright red lipstick, whereas, Aurora shows off more of a natural makeup style, it almost looks like she is wearing no makeup (slide 2). And this glammed-up villain vs naturally beautiful lawful good protagonist theme is present in almost, if not all, every piece of media that we consume.

In real life, women who wear heavier makeup are victims of hostile sexism, which is when men are openly violent towards women or femmes for not sticking to societal norms. Violence can range from verbally insulting someone to physically attacking someone. Sadly, this is not just towards women, men who show interest in makeup are diminished and consequently punished by society by insulting and excluding them of social groups.

Additionally, many argue that makeup is targeted towards “insecure” women, therefore the use of it means someone is insecure. Makeup is a form of art, it accentuates people’s features and lets them be happy about themselves, the problem comes when they use makeup in order to please someone else’s wants and needs rather than focusing on their own self worth and happiness. Makeup can let people’s imagination run wild. I have seen a lot of people make beautiful pieces of art by using their own faces as a canvas. It is entertaining and there is nothing wrong with it. Makeup is fluid, which means there is not a set rule on how to use it or how to enjoy it. Media has taught us that in order to be a woman (or a girl) you have to use little makeup otherwise you are actively attracting attention to yourself, even if what you do is for yourself. Makeup is for everyone.

There is no denying that makeup does target a lot of insecurities women have, but the problem comes when people generalize and categorize everyone who wears makeup as insecure. What started as a tool to appeal to the Gods turned into a tool to express oneself but consequently also created a lot of negativity. In short; those who enjoy it are dimmed and seen as nonhuman, causing the normalization of disrespect towards women and femmes*.

*Femme: someone who identifies as trans, queer, and/or gender nonbinary and presents, acts, or identifies in a feminine manner.

#embracevulnerability #Lemon8Diary #shareyourthoughts #unaesthetic #essay #beauty #makeup #feminism #beautynorms #latenightthoughts