Hi, I’m Morgan, and I am a makeup-wearing feminist. It seems that that there has been a recent push in the feminist community to stop wearing makeup, to stop shaving, etc. I can completely understand this, as not wearing makeup often has negative repercussions for women. However, I firmly believe that demanding I not do something because I am a woman (no matter the intentions) is wrong. I plan on doing exactly as I want.
I am not saying this is not complicated. Often women wear makeup because they feel they must so that they can be considered (and feel!) pretty. I have huge issues with this. If you only feel pretty when wearing makeup and only wear it so that you can feel pretty, I do not think you have a healthy relationship with makeup. This is the direct result of the patriarchy and decades of oppression that says women are only pretty if they fit into very specific ideals. If you wear makeup precisely when you feel like performing an intricate art project on your face, then you probably are not wearing makeup out of fear of retribution in your career and personal life.
As a feminist, I firmly believe that anyone should be allowed to do what they like with him or herself. That is the core of feminism. When a section of feminism says that women should stop wearing makeup altogether, they are going against this core belief. While their hearts are in the right place, having women who like wearing makeup stop wearing makeup because they were told to doesn’t empower anyone.
It is hugely important, however, to stop and think about why you are wearing makeup. Are you wearing makeup because you woke up that morning and felt the need to look pretty before you go to work, so you could be considered for that raise? Or did you wake up and decide that today is the day you are going to try to wing wing your eyeliner, because you like to put on your makeup?
It usually isn’t as simple as just one, because the pressure to be beautiful by society’s standards is ever-present. It is just important to take a moment every morning and think about what motivates you. If it is more a desire to conform, then it is important to recognize and acknowledge the way society is moving you and decide for yourself whether to then act on it.
It is perfectly alright to wear makeup so that you fit in. But it is extremely important, and will lead to a more self-aware decision, to check with yourself every morning to see what force is actually driving you to paint your face. Sometimes it will be the desire to conform. Sometimes it will be because you genuinely enjoy the struggle of liquid eyeliner. And usually it will be a combination of both. Just take the time to recognize which force is more powerful, and you will develop a healthier relationship with makeup.
