As a gender studies major I get a lot of mixed responses when I tell someone what I'm studying; it's usually the other person thinking that it's awesome, or they look confused and wonder about how I came to pick that as my major. A response that I notice the most, though, is the classic "But you don't look like a feminist?"

Even in my gender studies classes, I got weird looks from some people when I came to class with a full face of makeup and an outfit that effort was put in to, and I'm certainly not saying that I'm the only one that does this. I remember when a classmate told me that I was directly supporting the patriarchy by wearing makeup, and I definitely can see where they were coming from. But I feel like someone's look shouldn't validate whether or not they are a feminist.

I didn't know that feminism came with a strict dress code and look that is supposed to be followed. I didn't know that because it doesn't. But I understand why some people are taken aback when I say that I'm an avid supporter and promoter of feminism; feminism critiques the beauty standard that women in particular are supposed to adhere to, and I myself wear makeup regularly and dress in a way that is considered feminine by society. I can see how people would view this as contradictory, but I don't think that it has to be.

I'm well aware that I am influenced by patriarchal society to conform to its unrealistic beauty standards, and that's honestly what spiked my interest in makeup and clothes at a young age; I wanted to be pretty and fit this model of what a girl is supposed to be. As I got older and got more into feminism, I became aware of this constant pressure that greatly influenced what I was interested in, but even then my interests in makeup and fashion didn't change. I think that's because at that point I wasn't into these things to satisfy patriarchal society, but rather myself. I'm totally happy and confident with myself without nice clothes and makeup, but I didn't feel the need to give up these passions that I have to also be passionate about feminism.

I don't enforce or expect all women to wear makeup or dress a certain way, and I also don't enforce makeup and clothes as being gender exclusive. This is why I don't see it as interfering with my values. I do view makeup and fashion as an art and form of self expression, and I encourage everyone regardless of their gender identity to partake in these things if they want to. I viewed it as myself taking back these passions, but trying to do so outside of the influence of patriarchy. I realize that this may be impossible to do, but I think making these things acceptable for everyone without any expectations or enforcement is a good start.

You don't have to look a certain way to be a feminist. A feminists looks like someone that wants to end sexism. Someone that advocates against all forms of oppression and knows that women do not have universal experiences. A feminist looks like a person that fights against teaching toxic masculinity and wants to better all lives. A feminist is someone that is for everyone. There's no physical requirements to be a feminist, therefore stop telling me that I don't look like one.