The Beauty Bite: Face Value

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Face Value

Make up: a liberating weapon or simply an insecure mask? It seems the more people who discover our love for cosmetics, the more questions we face over our motives; "Why?", "Isn't that all a bit shallow?", "Aren't there better things you could spend your energy on?"

Whatever, Trevor!

It left us wondering how all you Beauty Biters feel about other people's comments towards your cosmetics? Are you someone who can't leave the house without a bit of slap? Do you wear layers of product loud and proud? Do you slightly cringe when someone points out your handy work? In a day and age where women are expected more and more to look "flawless", is it actually now a social taboo to admit you try and make an effort? We'd love to know your thoughts.

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10 Comments:

At Tuesday, August 17, 2010 , dani@callitbeauty said...: I'm definitely "sticking it to the man," as you say.

look, there are definitely people out there who cross the line to pure vanity. i read on sephora's blog that there's a woman who makes sure to wake up before her husband so she can put some makeup on and then goes back to bed; all this effort just so she her husband doesn't get to see her au naturale.

but then there are those who love it because it's fun. playing with colours and testing out new products is their equivalent of someone buying an old car and fixing it up or keeping up with all the new technology and gadgets today. who says one hobby is better than the other? can't someone's face be someone's canvas, too? hell yes, it can!

as for me, i'm more of a natural girl at heart so i like to wear products that still make me look like me. so i could never go out with a full face (unless i'm gonna be onstage). but makeup makes me feel more polished. in the same way i won't go out with my hair tangled and my clothes disheveled and dirty, i won't go out with my face looking like a hot mess.

and wow, that's a long comment. excuse my ramble :p

-dani
http://callitbeauty.blogspot.com/
At Tuesday, August 17, 2010 , Natalie said...: I hate it when people say it's shallow, it's not, I'm merely enhancing what God gave me and I don't think you could find many women who wouldn't want to look the best they could everyday. Whether it's a nice outfit or nice makeup, it makes me feel good about me.

XOXO
At Tuesday, August 17, 2010 , Hinna said...: Hmm. I do feel that it is largely a vanity thing, but I also appreciate the skill required to apply make-up well, which makes it somewhat of an art form for me. In fact, I think applying make-up to look flawlessly natural takes the most skill of all!

Having said that, using colour can also lift one's mood. Not necessarily because it 'pretties' one up, but just because brighter colours, just like in clothes and fashion, add interest and life into a look!

I don't think it is a taboo to admit making an effort, whether it be a more subdued look or the opposite. Indeed, I find it offensive to go out without fixing yourself up a little :p
At Tuesday, August 17, 2010 , Sophie said...: I feel that I can say yes to all those questions, but then I still feel like it feels wrong to admit that! I suppose I couldn't go as far to say it's a taboo, but I think it depends on your friends. Not many of my friends wear that much make up, so they know me as the go to girl for make up advice, and I get the groan when I spend my wages in MAC. But whatever, you only live once and make up makes my life that little bit happier! x
At Tuesday, August 17, 2010 , Andrea said...: People are often surprised when they find out how into make up I am. Apparently intelligent women aren't supposed to enjoy playing with make up!

I am a very creative person, but unfortunately my job coulnd't be further from this, so I love using make up as my creative outlet.

I really enjoy reading your blog as I see it as one of the more thoughtful, intelligent ones. This post of yours is one example of that. I'm sick of seeing young girls on blogs that can't spell, have very poor grammar and just post photos of their nights out or tell us how much they love their boyfriends/pets.

So, all in all, just because you like make up does not mean you are shallow, vain or stupid. For some of us, it is simply an enjoyable hobby.

Keep up the good work x
At Tuesday, August 17, 2010 , Dani said...: Why should making an effort become taboo? I don't go around criticising or pointing out what other people do to please themselves and expect them to be as courteous towards me in return. Personally, I like putting on my make-up, it's a pleasure rather than a chore and it's entirely my own decision. I prefer the way I look with make-up, I feel more polished and I enjoy playing around with it and making my eyes look bigger, for example. As someone above said, it's all about making yourself feel good. Some people are happy just brushing their teeth and running a comb through their hair, so what if I decide to add make-up to that routine as well?
At Tuesday, August 17, 2010 , Michelle @Lipstickrules said...: Great topic! I wear makeup for me and write about it because I love it. My husband doesn't care if I wear any or not - it's all me!

Like Dani says, makeup makes me feel more polished and overall feel great.

Luckily I haven't run into too many people who say anything negative about what I write about and what I have a passion for.
At Wednesday, August 18, 2010 , Unknown said...: I never go out with a full face on as it's always just concealer, blush and lippies (and maybe mascara). If I had a choice I wouldn't wear concealer either but I look like I'd just risen from the dead if I don't! I just don't like the feeling of stuff on my face. My boyfriend always teases me about my love for lip products and says he just doesn't get it, lol. The lack of usage doesn't keep me from looking and reading about makeup though, as others have mentioned it's fun! Sadly though, I've seen women who I bet look much better with a lot less makeup = )
At Thursday, August 19, 2010 , Jo said...: I started wearing foundation and powder at about 16 because I was a very shy, extremely blush-prone teenager who felt much happier with something to hide behind! 27 years (and a lot of practise) later I wear concealer, foundation, powder, blusher, and mascara every day unless I'm ill... I occasionally put on some lipstick or eyeshadow but inevitably wipe it off again straight away because it feels like it will draw attention to me rather than deflect it. Maybe I haven't grown up as much as I thought..hmmm.
At Sunday, August 22, 2010 , Anonymous said...: Gotta love the myopic view that makeup is strictly about masking insecurities...projection is so comforting.

Always been a lover of all things girly, just as much as being outdoors and feeling unencumbered by those luxuries.

Part of me made it through nursing school by decompressing in the bathroom with some make-up, just that whole touch-therapy and knowing I was doing something (simple) for myself.

Spent some time in an environment where not many typical luxurious feminine habits were approved of, I appreciate it even more now.

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The Beauty Bite

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Face Value

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