Make-up is lowering our self-esteem ... um what?

I recently saw some articles and debates circulating online that made me quite mad. Now I need to put this straight, I am not a hardcore no bra wearing radical feminist, and nor do I bow down helplessly at the feet of a man - but I do believe in women's rights. I believe that we should have an equal say, treatment and opportunity, I believe women should do whatever the hell they want with their bodies, and pursue any career path they damn well choose, whether that means being a full-time mother or full-time engineer. So when I read that make-up out of all things is holding women back from true equality and is damaging our self-esteem, I wanted to stab myself with my stippling brush (probably wouldn't do much damage but hey, you catch my drift).


The concept that make-up is damaging our self-esteem is not a new one, and the question has been raised numerous times in mainstream media. But the idea that only women who are insecure about their looks wear make-up, for me, is down right silly. For someone to assume that because I wear make-up I have no confidence in myself is just plain wrong. I am not trying to say that I am the pin up girl for being self-assured and comfortable in my own skin because, I am not and wouldn't be the first to say that I don't love everything about my body or my face, but make-up does not and I repeat DOES NOT reinforce these feelings that I have about myself.

For me and for many others on here make-up is so much more than just a 'cover up.' Sure, I wear make-up to cover my pimples and dark eye circles but who in their right mind wouldn't want to. But to me, make-up does the opposite to what those media jerks are suggesting, it gives me confidence and builds my self-esteem. Sure, make-up can only do so much to improve yourself but hey, why stop a good thing going. And no, before you even suggest it, I am not dependent on make-up, I do go days without it (imagine that). I do believe I can be confident without it, but I decide to wear make-up because I can and I enjoy it.

I don't remember a time when I didn't leave the house without at least putting on some mascara. Just like I would never leave the house without my phone, I wouldn't leave the house without some bit of mascara. I don't do it because I am insecure about my eye lashes, I do it because I want to. I do it because I believe it is worth it to take those few extra minutes in the morning for myself, to make myself look good and feel good. Having a few swipes of that black goodness on my eyes, does wonders for my mood, it instantly lifts my spirits and makes it that much easier to face the day. The point is make-up makes me feel better, and that's all that matters. I don't believe wearing make-up stops me from being less equal to a man, hell they can wear make-up too.

But not only does make-up make me feel better I just I love make-up in general. I love the feeling I get when I buy a new product and try it out for the first time, opening the packaging and seeing that brand spanking new goodness in the pan. I love reading about others experience, good or bad, sharing experiences and tips - I just love everything about make-up. So if you try to tell me that make-up is making me less confident, less of a woman, less deserving of equality, I will tell you to go suck my 20 plus make up brushes and stick it where it belongs.

*Original image sourced from here