Why Women Wear Makeup

October 14th, 2009 at 11:42am Julie Gulbrandsen

Numerous online cosmetic newsletters bombard my email inbox everyday.  Most of the info they’re pushing is repetitive so I just hit delete yet this one really caught my eye.  “Don’t wear blue eye shadow!”  Hmm…wasn’t this the law of the 90’s?  Back then while selling at the cosmetic counter we cosmetic cops were ingrained with teaching women how to do their makeup in a more “natural” way.  Brown, beige, boring, blah!

Makeup is supposed to be an expression of ourselves.  Humans have adorned themselves from the beginning of time.  I, for one happen to like blue eye shadow.  There, I said it!  In fact, I wear it everyday because it looks good with brown eyes.  The trick is you don’t really notice it too much. That’s the whole point. You’re not supposed to see the makeup. This is what natural is all about. 

Makeup is supposed to be fun.  It can create or change our moods.  In fact, according to Cosmeticdesign.com, scientific researchers in Japan recently did a study revealing exactly what goes through a women’s mind when she applies make-up.  Using brain scanning equipment, scientists discovered that women experience a wave of euphoria and optimism as they prepare for their make-up routine.  The work is important to cosmetic manufacturers because it helps explain the exact reasons why women wear make-up and how it makes them feel better about themselves. 

Why women wear makeup?  Do we really need science to answer this for us?  Maybe because it’s fun and we like the way we look?  Every morning I dread having to prepare for my makeup routine but I do experience happiness and relief once its painted on my face.  I don’t really care how it makes me feel better. It just does.  So I will continue facing the day with my blue eye shadow.  Pink eye shadow is banned from my makeup bag unless I want my eyes to look swollen and never in a million years will you catch me wearing orange lipstick unless I want my teeth to look yellow.  There ought to be a law but who am I to judge someone else’s art of self expression?  What’s really important is that you like the way you look.

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