Wearing Makeup To Look Attractive

There are those who use makeup as a security blanket to cover up flaws: acne scars, rosacea, dark under eye circles, you name it. Then there are those like me who appreciate the coverage makeup can provide, but whose primary reason for wearing it is to enhance their appearance

I wear makeup to look attractive, and there is no shame in that.

I like the way makeup looks on me, therefore I wear it. It is not something that I do for the benefit of another, only for myself. I don’t go through my morning routine thinking about how the guy round the corner who street harasses me with his cat calls, is really going to appreciate my eyeshadow of choice. No. Him, with his primitive behavior, most likely does not even know what eye shadow is. Of course my makeup is not for him, or anyone else.

It’s for me to wear, so that I can look my best which is part of  working towards being my best self. It’s for those moments when I happen to catch my own reflection and think, ‘I look good!’ Makeup makes me feel pretty, and I like feeling pretty.

The only time I will take a someone else into consideration when applying my makeup is when I am going on a date, because in that situation, looking my best is part of the seduction. Of course, I am not going to bat my brown eyes at him with my naturally stubby eyelashes. There is a reason the goddess Aphrodite provided us with mascara, and why I will use it to its full volumizing effect.

There is always that judgmental person, or group of people, who feel the need to tell you how makeup is some big façade. They bombard you with the vexatious argument that makeup is simply a means to disguising your true self and try selling you some line about how putting ‘all that stuff’ on your face means you are hiding your natural beauty. Nonsense. There are a lot of things that are not natural about people. We naturally don’t smell like the designer or celebrity fragrance we spray on ourselves. That does not mean that without the perfume or cologne of our choice we would reek. It simply means that we leave your house smelling better than we would with nothing but some deodorant on. It’s the same with makeup; I am enhancing what’s already there.

Yes, there are those who wear makeup like a mask, to completely transform themselves into someone new. They apply it with a skill that is to be admired and with each layer they feel more beautiful and self assured. They stand a little straighter and walk a little taller, face the day feeling good about themselves all because of the application of a few cosmetics. Why then try and humiliate these people by making them feel that they are less for wearing “all that makeup” when it is that makeup that is giving them a belief in themselves and a self confidence to achieve their goals. Sometimes, in order to get things done you just need to feel good about yourself first, and that is okay.

There are those who will read the title of this article and instantly pass judgment. They will claim wearing makeup simply to look attractive is superficial and vapid. Yet, were I to write a piece about eating the right foods and maintaining a regular exercise schedule in order to be your best physical self, no one would bat an eye. However, once I include that being my best self also comes with the application of a perfect winged eyeliner, all of a sudden I am shallow or self absorbed. Sure, you can argue that a balanced meal plan and regular exercise go towards having better internal health benefits and the external ones are just a great bonus. Still, there are plenty of things that people do for themselves, to enhance their appearance that hold no health benefits. People bleach their teeth, they get tattoos, dye their hair, wax, shave and buy clothes that flatter. People want to take pride in their appearance, there is no shame to be had in wanting to present and represent your best external self.

Which is why I wear makeup to look attractive.

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