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Ichabod!

15 July 2004 10:48

so i was painting my nails the other day...

real shocker, i know.

and i realized the magic involved in the art of using makeup.

i realized how small, subtle details like a barely there nude polish on the nails can make a difference in the impression one makes on people. they may not notice the particular shade of nail polish, or even conciously note that its there. but they may walk away with the feeling that this is a woman who takes care of herself, who is well put together and gets things under control.

now, i know. it may seem perfectly obvious that the person who has washed hair and clean clothes makes a better impression as a responsible person than the one with stringy hair and stains on their clothes. but previously, ive always felt like that should be enough. if you wear clean well fitting clothes, and wash yourself regularly, that should be enough to give the impression that you are a well put together person who has things under control. and i think it can be enough.

but ive come to see the subtle use of cosmetics as a sort of magic women can use to boost that image. someone may not notice that theres a light eyeshadow on the inside corner of a woman'seyes, but they may be more likely to walk away remembering the natual sparkle in her eyes.

this use of subtle magic is a very recent development for me. when i was younger, i saw make up as strong magic that could change an entire image. goth make up. if its not noticeable, theres no point in wearing it; that was my motto regarding cosmetics.

now, the flipside. the use of cosmetics as a subtle magic doesnt always seem to come through as its true nature. example: women who wont be seen in public without a full layer of foundation and the works. the girl who looks completely different, almost unrecognizable without her full face of make up. when it becomes a mask.

when the message becomes one of necessity. advertisements telling us that we NEED this product or we're not beautiful and no man will give you a second look. and i feel sometimes like society has gone over the edge when a woman who does not look perfectly made up cannot be considered for certain positions. can you imagine a woman in the corporate world refusing to wear high heels? even though they cause pain and bad health? sure, just like make up, heels can be used as a subtle magic to make a woman's legs look longer. but when it becomes a requirement? then i get concerned.

when there arises a standard of beauty that the average woman cannot reach without extreme dieting, heavy cosmetics, and the rest of the arsenal of otherwise subtle magic theres a problem. because then women get the message that we're not good enough on our own, as our natual selves. and then, now, we have a problem.