The Great Makeup Debate | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

The Great Makeup Debate

Makeup: love it or hate it?

76
The Great Makeup Debate
Jamie Street on Unsplash

Makeup: love it or hate it?

Anyone you talk to will have their own answer to that question. A lot of people love makeup. A lot of people don’t.

My personal answer to the "makeup question" is that I do like makeup. I have neither the artistry nor patience to draw double cat-eye liner so sharp it could cut someone or create ombré lip looks, but I respect and applaud and wish to learn from those that can. I tend to stick to looks that I can easily create in 10 minutes or less using BB cream, mascara, eyebrow pencil, and tinted lip balm. Some days if I have more time or am more dressed up I'll wear eyeshadow or eyeliner or lipstick or highlighter.

British author Zadie Smith recently drew ire for saying that makeup was a "waste of time.” I have to disagree with her opinion in some ways. I don't think that makeup is a complete waste of time. I wear makeup because it helps me feel good. I like to use it to highlight my features, like my blue eyes. When I wear makeup, I don't wear it to impress anyone. I wear it to feel more confident in myself. When I feel confident in myself, I find myself more likely to stand up for what I want, and more likely to be sociable. Spending time in the morning putting makeup on isn’t a waste of my time. I know a lot of people who feel the same way.

However, while I disagree with Zadie Smith’s opinion that makeup is a waste of time, I think that there’s also a bigger picture to look at. Society’s view on makeup has put women in a difficult position. Young women are constantly bombarded with the idea that the only way they can be happy in life is if they look a certain way, which includes wearing makeup. If women don’t want to wear makeup, they’re told that they’re lazy, ugly slobs who probably have low self-esteem and would be more beautiful if they just tried a little harder.

By the same token, though, women are told that if they wear too much makeup (whatever “too much” may mean), they’re trying too hard and are fake and just need to embrace their natural beauty.

So which are they supposed to pick?

The answer is none of the above. Women do not owe anyone an explanation for their decisions about whether or not they want to wear makeup. If they want to create beautiful art with eyeshadow and contour palettes and makeup brushes, that’s allowed. If they couldn’t care less about mascara and foundation and lipstick, that’s allowed too.

Every woman’s opinion on makeup is their own. Zadie Smith’s opinion on makeup is her own. My opinion, that makeup isn’t inherently bad but society’s need to tell women how they should look is, is my own. Any other woman’s opinion on makeup is their own. Whatever opinion you have, it’s long past time that we let women do whatever they want when it comes to makeup.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

The Daily Struggles of Being a College Commuter

It's not all morning coffees and singing along to the radio.

624
The Daily Struggles of Being a College Commuter
morethanwheels

I've been in college for four years now. I spent half my time as a commuter and half as a resident so I've experienced both sides of the housing spectrum. One thing I've learned comparing the two is that my struggles as a commuter far outweigh anything I went through while living on campus. Commuters have to deal with the problems school brings along with a slew of other issues; I've filled up my gas tank in the worst kind of weather conditions and napped in random places in public more times than I'm proud to say of. This is a list of some of the most challenging aspects of being a commuter.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

3398
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

17656
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments