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From: anderson@ittvax.UUCP (Scott Anderson)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: makeup
Message-ID: <1463@ittvax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 14-Aug-84 23:09:54 EDT
Article-I.D.: ittvax.1463
Posted: Tue Aug 14 23:09:54 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 18-Aug-84 00:08:32 EDT
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[en garde!]

I don't mind generalizations about why women wear makeup, but
let's be careful about judging the person underneath.  I'm
referring to aspertions about "flaws in personality."

Anyhow, here are why the women *I* know wear makeup.

I.  Dress code
    My SO (Ann) wears some makeup to the office, usually rather
    unobtrusive.  I think she feels it's "part of the uniform":
    she puts on her makeup when she puts on her suit.

    We all know that there are times when certain garb is expected
    (either officially or unofficially); think of makeup as part of the
    dress code.  Dress codes are mutable, but only into other dress
    codes, because most people feel uneasy when they have complete
    freedom to dress.  (How many times have you wondered what other
    people will be wearing at some gathering, so that you can dress
    accordingly?  I have, many times.)  And as long as there are dress
    codes should/ought to be changed, so that women's skin can be
    preserved or whatever, but we'll only be exchanging one dress code
    for another.

II.  Fun
    When we go out for a fancy evening (I'm wearing a suit, she a
    long dress), Ann spends a long time putting on makeup, and
    not unobtrusive office-wear stuff.  We're talking bright and
    flashy; we're talking GLITTER.  Partly, it's because she has
    a streak of exhibitionist in her, and on evenings like this
    she'll dress in BRIGHT reds and other look-at-me colors.
    Partly, it's because she thinks it's FUN.  That's right:  she'll
    look at herself in the mirror, smile at the effect and say,
    "isn't that FUN!"  Partly, it's artistic expression, with her
    face the canvas.

    You might say all that stuff is hiding the "real" Ann, but I'd
    counter that being bright and glittering IS @i(part) of the
    "real" Ann.  Besides, if she enjoys it, why shouldn't she do it?

    [Aside to JAM:  I can think of several occasions when I've "gone
    for that special place on the side of the neck between ...." and
    come up with glitter on my own cheeks.  And y'know, I didn't
    mind a bit. :-)  ]

III.  Looking your best
    My sister spends a LOT of time on makeup, and she always comes
    out looking like a minor goddess.  She thinks it's important to
    look her best, and she associates with people who have high
    standards for personal appearance.  (I was going to say "judge
    people by their appearance," but we ALL do that.  It's just that
    we do it to varying degrees, with different standards.)  She
    reads all the fashion magazines, has impeccable taste in almost
    everything, and dates as much as she wants.  Many of us would
    be envious of her.

    If you asked me if she spent too much time on appearance versus,
    say, studying (she's a college student); I'd say yes.  But it's HER
    choice, and her grades are fine.  If you asked me if PART of her
    motivation was insecurity (about her popularity and/or appearance),
    I'd say yes.  But only PART.  And I think that part is too bad.  If
    you asked me if she was shallow and knew nothing of life except
    clothes and makeup, I'd say NO.  She's bright, interesting and
    sensitive.

IV. Conclusion
    Neither my SO nor my sister are shallow people, yet they both
    wear makeup at times.  They are both worth getting to know as
    people (hunh? oh, yeah, them).  So don't assume that a makeup-
    wearer is vain, silly, and shallow.  That MAY be the case.
    But probably not.

    Don't judge a book by its cover, or by whether or not it has a
    paper jacket over the cover.

Can anyone think of more reasons why women wear makeup?

Scott D. Anderson
decvax!ittvax!anderson
203-375-0200 X 451