by Angelica
Candelaria 10/23/08
"The most beautiful makeup for a woman is passion, but cosmetics are easier to
buy."
~Yves Saint Laurent
In recent writings, I have confessed to engaging in the utterly "unfeminine" and rebellious
trends of not wearing high heels or carrying a purse. Continuing in that vein, I now
complete the riveting trilogy by directing my attention to yet another product that,
for one reason or other, I have rejected:
Makeup.
As prepubescent girls throughout the world were pleading with their mothers to put
a bit of rouge on their fresh-faced expressions and lipstick on their expectant little
mouths, I was dreaming of being a pale rock star who did not consume nine pounds of
her own lipstick during her lifetime.
During my freshman year of high school, I broke with my own tradition and occasionally
wore lipstick. Not colorful shades with names like "Bottomless Latte" or "Naked Ambition"
or "Film Noir." Instead, it was plain black lipstick to complement the black nail
polish on my fingernails and the sterilized safety pins in my ears. It certainly did
not dissuade continued mockery at the hands of my tenderhearted peers, one of whom
yelled at me in the hallway, "Is it Halloween?" Alas, I was too gloriously gothic
to care. Mercifully and conveniently, the only photographic record of that era has
mysteriously been lost.
That was the extent of my makeup experimentation until my early twenties, at which
time I may have worn eyeliner and mascara once or twice to give myself what I perceived
to be a more striking look. As with lipstick, I hastily discovered that these eye
enhancers hindered movements that were otherwise comfortably absentminded. I could
not indulge in spontaneous bouts of weepy sentimentality; I could not rub my eyes
without potentially irritating them or worse, looking like a raccoon (or Alice Cooper.)
I decided that this was no way to live an already brief existence and never again
dabbled in face paints.
It is evident that many women look attractive with makeup. They wear it in such a
way that their natural features are accentuated and their minor flaws, if any, are
concealed. Others, either through deliberate decision or ignorance, layer on coats
of foundation, lip liner, gloss, blush, eye shadow, mascara, and whatever else is
available to create an exaggerated effect. (If you cannot resist the temptation, insert
your own Tammy Faye comment here.) Some females may elect a more drastic measure by
submitting themselves to cosmetic tattooing, a procedure in which permanent colors
are applied to the mouth, skin, and eyelids to give the appearance of a perpetually
made-up face. Whatever the circumstance, it has frequently been my contention that
many women who wear makeup do not in actuality require it. They may complain of excessive
pallor or a sense of facial nakedness, yet it is merely the habit they are embracing
and not an objective truth. They only perceive themselves as ugly or "less
than" without it.
Lest you fear that I shall momentarily be launching into an anti-makeup manifesto,
I will provide several interesting facts:
*The first evidence of cosmetic use has been discovered in ancient Egypt.
*At certain points in history, a pallid complexion was much desired. Women applied
substances from arsenic powder to ceruse upon their skin, which consisted of vinegar
and powdered lead. Both methods ultimately caused fatalities.
Others opted to bleed themselves through the use of leeches or cupping, which involves
slashing a vein and draining the blood into a bowl or cup.
*During the Victorian era, women of high society refused to wear makeup.
*It is estimated that worldwide cosmetic sales reach eighteen billion dollars annually:
one billion dollars less than the estimated requirement for eradicating starvation
and malnutrition.
*According to researchers at Massachusettes University, women actively absorb approximately
five pounds of different chemicals through their use of cosmetics.
Suggestions on the use and storage of makeup
*Do not share your makeup with anyone.
*If the consistency, color, or scent of your makeup is in any way altered, discard
it.
*Keep your makeup out of sunlight in order to avoid the deterioration of preservatives.
*Tightly close all makeup containers after use.
*If your makeup has lost its consistency, do not attempt to restore it by adding water
or saliva to it. This could result in an abundance of bacteria.
*Pay close heed to the expiration dates on your products. It is estimated that nine
out of ten women use expired beauty products, potentially exposing themselves to skin
irritations, infections, and other undesirable consequences.
I confess that my readings upon this subject--the cost and care involved--have only
reinforced my previous and very personal decision not to wear makeup. Not only does
it save me money and allow me liberties I hold dear, yet it saves me from another
dreaded scenario: having to carry a purse for its storage!
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