At least in beauty, it’s always good to share your makeup concerns. I can never be weary of hearing and reading the same beauty concerns – wrinkles, dark circles, redness, and discoloration.
That’s ok, I’m a perfectionist too. It’s understandable why any woman would have those concerns.
A woman’s look can be life changing. People treat her better. But as it is blessing, it is also a curse, since it always subjects a woman to their appearance more than what they say or do, and this is unfortunately, since most women, especially those in powerful positions, often have to deal with men. Suffice to say women didn’t choose the struggle!
I remember as a young girl eavesdropping on salon gossip, and never forgetting the day a woman stormed into the salon, in dire need of a new hairdo.
Wondering what could pose such an emergency, I could vividly recall her saying these immortal words as it will forever be engrained in my mind: “I have an executive meeting at work, and I have to face a bunch of men, so I have to approach this as much confidence as possible.”
I can faintly remember the look she chose, except for it being a short one.
Fast forward to current times when Hillary Clinton is vying for the position of president of one of the most powerful countries in the world, only to debate against a chauvinist, pompous misogynistic businessman.
Little attention is given to her views, her accomplishments and her perfect matte red lipstick! Lest we remind them that she played an intricate role in bringing down a terrorist called Bin Laden…but unless she looks like Melania Trump or Kim Kardashian, let’s be real, no one really cares.
At a wedding a woman’s look is often the subject of conversation, rather than the man’s (unless he shows up in a licking red suit!) it’s always about what the woman looks like, and where she’s going, as if it’s anyone’s business!
However, what women truly want is the respect. They want to be able to express themselves without qualms or flak. Women don’t spend the equivalent of US$30 on a lipstick, to hear “gyal you lips look sweet.” Seriously?
Putting effort into your look gives a domineering demeanor, and shows the world that you care what you look like. That alone demands respect, and the relevance of such effort should be recognized, acknowledged and admired.
There’s more to makeup than expressing inner beauty; it’s a multimillion dollar business, that only businessmen are now realizing is worth every penny of the investment.
Because let’s face it, makeup can be more addictive than ridiculous video games. Who wants to watch yet another animated character slaughter another animated character in a faux virtual world?
Makeup is real! Even football fans wear face paint! There’s nothing more alluring than looking enthusiastic about living. And makeup is part of that process.
Embrace the look, live to self-express, and be beautiful!