This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Who uses makeup and plastic surgery most? This says everything.
My goal is never to feel like I need makeup to feel more confident about my appearance or body.
One of the responses I received on the following article [see below] is what sparked this follow-up piece:
Growing up – makeup was just the standard. The only woman I knew who didn’t (and still doesn’t wear) makeup, is my mom […].
I cannot remember exactly when I made the transition from no makeup and not really caring to “Holy cow!!! Noone should see me “unfresh” aka without makeup.”
I went through a breakup and part of reclaiming myself was [wearing] little to no makeup and forcing myself to be present and uncaring about it.
How are men who do not wear makeups the people I should please by wearing makeup? Crazy.
I don’t want you approving or rating me cause I am artificially made up (and I do not say this as a diss). I just don’t want that kind of approval from men.
The mindset needs to change. I am not wearing it for you. It is important to root down deeply within us. I am wearing whatever I am wearing for me. This should be the root of makeups.
Thank you Okwywrites
I get it. More and more women are getting plastic surgery and wearing makeup, and “they’re doing it for themselves.”
Questions like the following still haunt my mind, though:
Why are we utilizing things such as makeup and plastic surgery to reclaim our confidence, feel better about ourselves, and ultimately project a more powerful woman to the world?
Who are women without makeup – Are we whole? Are we complete? Are we still beautiful? Are we worth looking at? Do we feel human without it?
Too many women have told me they cannot leave the house without a full face of makeup.
Other women have told me they utilize makeup as art, which I understand, but at what point do art and the need to put art on your face contradict?
Some Truths Can’t Be Dodged:
Men don’t wear makeup as frequently as women.
Men don’t obtain plastic surgery as frequently as women.
Why do women feel the need to utilize these tools more than men?
Are we really doing it for ourselves, or is it because society has infiltrated our minds into believing we need to utilize these things?
The Power Makeup Gives A Woman’s Confidence
John Gustafson is a skincare guru that donated excess and unused makeup to a women’s refuge center that housed physically abused women. “[…] apparently, it was a huge help psychologically for the women” (Espejo, 104).
Why Does Makeup Help Individuals Psychologically?
In one case, female soldiers were given a large amount of lipstick. Lieutenant Colonel Mervin Willett Gonin said, “At last, they could take an interest in their appearance. That lipstick started to give them back their humanity” (Espejo 104–105).
This statement is profound; I had to digest it after first reading it because it is incredibly shocking.
Though I understand how the soldiers utilized lipstick to add more distinction to themselves due to homogenization.
But why do many women, who have not been homogenized, act like their identity primarily comes through their appearance?
How could makeup, which often makes a woman look less like her natural self, give a woman back her humanity and identity?
“It’s nonsense on one level, of course, but the power of lipstick, and how it makes a woman feel, must never be trivialized. […] to the enormous impact makeup and lipstick can have on a woman’s psyche, there’s more going on than just coloring in one’s face (Espejo, 103).
This statement depicts how many women feel the need to feel and believe they are beautiful and attractive, which has often been taught to be the most critical component of the female identity; in my opinion, this statement shows how women equate their value to their level of beauty.
Makeup Is Not Evil, But It’s Questionable
Makeup is a beautiful art that enhances our beauty to heightened levels.
But the foundation of its massive utilization by women has continued to fascinate my mind.
Something about makeup seems extra sus, though.
I’ll never be able to ignore the fact that the makeup industry is a billion dollar (and growing) industry that thrives off the insecurities of primarily women.
Once again, if you feel ugly, something outside of yourself infected you to believe this truth.
We aren’t born with a definition of what is and isn’t attractive.
We are informed and taught about what is and what isn’t attractive.
Why Do Many Women Feel Ugly Without Makeup?
And why I gave up makeup for a decade
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.