‘You’re still beautiful with or without it’

Makeup: what comes on to your mind whenever you hear or see this? Some say that makeup is kay, and some also say that it is not okay. It is fairly arguable that there are downsides and advantages on wearing makeup, due to some implications made by the society. This debate could also be seen as natural versus unnatural, beautiful versus ugly, and even perhaps confidence versus weakness. But which one should we really heed, and does it also dictate the standards for beauty? Seeing both perspectives on this matter would give a better understanding to it, so let us go deeper.

Countless blogs and articles containing strong opinions by bold feminists tend to discourage the usage of makeup, as if it was an act to degrade your value as a person. As they say, makeup is all a cover up, a facade that strays one from their respective personalities. Such case would be celebrities that are photographed and are barely recognizable without their usual “on fleek” eyebrows, heavy foundations, and vibrant cheeks. People also tend to grow dependent on makeup, hating on leaving home without makeup, as if being naked – utterly dreadful. Cosmetic products also bring up conflict in which is beautiful - the actual face itself, or the products that have been conveniently applied on the face? And it does not end there; there would always be this stigma that you are automatically ugly once you use makeup. These situations are evidently occurring still today, and sadly, none is done about it much. Yes, each one of these may sway opinions regarding makeup, but now, let us try to look at it at another angle. Surely there are positive features.

With the mentioning of several reasons for makeup being unacceptable, proving makeup to still be okay seems rather a challenge, but do not be disheartened. Along with the crowd that disapproves makeup, there are groups of people that would like to oppose, and these particular citizens fortunately, freely share their views. For those that are not that comfortable in how they appear, makeup proves to be a real companion that boosts their confidence well. Jeremy Nicholson, a doctor of social and personality psychology wrote an article, wherein he stated that a good attitude equates to better projection of self-appearance. This claim was also supported by a study he cited conducted by Swami and his colleagues. In simpler terms, for some, makeup, confidence, and beauty would go hand in hand. Men and women also practice self-love by taking care of their selves, by specifically camouflaging their imperfections with the use of makeup. These are the few of the many explanations why makeup is acceptable, and it may not be enough to convince people to use makeup. Nonetheless, it may be enough to incite something else. But given the things mentioned, would it be safe to say that humans are obsessed with beauty?

“Not totally obsessed, I think everyone appreciates beauty in a different way because beauty is not just physical appearance of the face or body, but it’s also what is inside of a person, his or her personality and character” as said by Azilana Garcia, a local makeup artist for Azilana Creative Productions. She has also added that she does not think that you need makeup to be beautiful. What's inside you is more important, your personality and character. By having the right character towards yourself and other people, your beauty will shine inside and out even if you're not wearing makeup. What else can be said? Makeup is not a necessity for beauty.

Before things get to a conclusion, some of the aforementioned statements were a combination of popular opinion and thoughts of certain writers in an attempt to reflect society’s stand on makeup. In observing and comparing these things, there isn’t really harm in putting on a little blush or doing a complete makeover. Assessing the situation, it would be proper enough to say that makeup is okay. What is not okay is that those who impose their own standard of beauty upon others, implying that those with or without makeup is ugly is just plain bullying. Humans are built not to be like each other, so being different is not a bad thing, as said by Lisa Cox, an awarded writer. Beauty is what one thinks of it, may there be face paint or no face paint, turn the other cheek on the haters, and believe in yourself, for confidence is the key.