I've talked about body image and self esteem in the past, but I don't think it's something I talk about as much I as I want to or should. "But Gabby," I can hear some of you saying, "What does that have to do with love?" My answer: Everything. To me, loving yourself is the most important kind of love. If you're not comfortable with yourself, how can you expect to be comfortable with someone else, or even comfortable with having someone love you? But I'm getting off track.
Make-up. It's something that most girls have grown up with their whole lives, first playing dress up with their mother's make-up, then buying their first lip gloss, then seeing make-up tips and ads in fashion and beauty magazines. It's also something that starts to become a necessity for many girls as they reach high school and college. I know through my freshman and sophomore year of high school, the going to school without foundation and eyeliner and mascara was unthinkable. I couldn't be seen in public like that!
I don't remember when or why I stopped caring about wearing all of that make-up. Maybe because I decided putting on make-up wasn't worth losing fifteen minutes of sleep in the morning. It might have been after the first time I had to buy foundation with my own money. I think what really did it for me though was looking in the mirror and thinking, "Wait... I don't look any better with this... In fact, I don't even like the way it looks... Why am I wearing it?" I can't remember the last time I wore foundation and when it comes to mascara and eyeliner, I only use it when I feel like my eyes will make me look sleep-deprived if I don't (it's college, it happens).
Now I'm not saying that make-up is evil and you should never wear it. To a lot of people, make-up is the same as the clothing they wear - it changes every day and it's a part of their outfit. I think stuff like this is cool.
I just can't pull it off (trust me I've tried. It looks terrible). Make-up is only an issue when you hide behind it. I know a girl who got her make-up all done up, lipstick and all, to go to a water park because she didn't want to go out without putting it on. Make-up should be something fun, not something you need. If there are any girls reading this post that feel like make-up is a must if they want to feel confident, I have a dare for you: Go one full day without wearing any make-up. No foundation, no coverup, no lip gloss, nothing.
Here's the thing ladies - a lot of guys either don't know or don't care if you're wearing make-up. Many guys just don't understand why you're wearing it at all. There are even some out there that *gasp* don't like it. These are just some of the responses I received from guys on the topic of make-up:
"No makeup is necessary. plus it is terrible for the skin and the environment."
"Only enough to accentuate your natural features, otherwise it looks like warpaint."
"Too much they look like a clown..None they look perfect."
"A girl can look beautiful with or without. 'With' is usually more eye-catching."
"I appreciate when a woman wants to doll up for her man, but I love waking up to natural beauty. I just hope the ladies feel the same way."
See, girls? And if your boyfriend or the guy you're trying to impress actually cares if you're wearing make-up, he's an asshole and you should probably find a new one.
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