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by Amy Ge, Torrey Pines High School '22
There seems to be a misconception that women who wear makeup do it out of insecurity or need for validation. Common comments under social media posts of women with makeup on tell them that they “look unnatural with makeup” or that they “look prettier without makeup.” Some of these comments are intended to make us as women feel more secure about our natural image and promote our self-worth. However, it is a misguided attempt because the majority of women don’t wear makeup to be validated by men.
We wear makeup as a tool of self-expression and a marker of confidence in our feminine identity. Everyone has different reasons for wearing makeup; some wear it to increase their confidence and to accentuate their beauty. Some see it as a form of creativity and love to experiment with different colors, designs and finishes. Some use it to conceal their blemishes, spots or acne, and that’s okay. All of these reasons, and whatever others there may be , are perfectly acceptable.
I started wearing makeup regularly a year ago when I began getting bad acne breakouts. While my acne was something I was insecure about, wearing makeup to me was less about covering up my “imperfections” and more about having the ability to take control over how I present myself to the world. I feel good about myself when I wear makeup and that reason alone is enough to justify wearing it.
What’s more concerning is the role the beauty industry plays in reinforcing unnatural beauty standards for women. For years, the beauty industry has taught women that our skin isn’t smooth enough, our eyes aren’t big enough, and that we are not pretty enough, period. The media is filled with images of people with flawless glowy skin, marketing products that will magically rid our faces of natural “imperfections” like discoloration, acne or scarring. With the constant pressure to look like photoshopped models in advertisements, naturally, women will look towards makeup to meet these impossible standards. The beauty industry profits off our insecurities— insecurities that they have helped foster. Those that have been profited off of are then unfairly shamed for their insecurity or vanity. The only solution is to realize your own individuality and freedom in choosing how you express yourself.
Makeup is about creating an image that you feel comfortable in and granting others the opportunity to see this creation.
I stand by Asian American beauty influencer Michelle Phan’s statement that “makeup is not a mask that covers up your beauty; it’s a weapon that helps you express who you are from the inside.” Makeup doesn’t just transform you on the outside. It transforms you from within, filling you with a sense of empowerment and strength, which is something everyone should be able to enjoy without scrutinization.