THE MASK IN MAKEUP

For centuries people have discovered ways to make themselves appear more attractive and appealing with items of decoration. These items modified and improved over the years include the products from lip tints to foundation under the general name, makeup. Used initially by mostly the female population of the world, it continues to grow more widespread among the male species as well with each passing generation. Let's be real, everyone knows what the term makeup means, more accurately what it implies. They like to believe they have the general idea of what it means to wear makeup and what the term means in itself, and sure some maybe right, hence, I do not wish to waste time educating you, dear reader, on what you know (or what you assume you do). In fact I believe you have already researched for yourself its true definition from a trustworthy source to be certain, and I daresay you've already done this before proceeding with this post. Now that you have been adequately suited with its true meaning... and history (if you're into that), let us dive into the backbone behind this writeup. I wish for us to view this general widespread term from a different angle, an angle that is no stranger to us and which has definitely been considered at one point in our lives whether you care to admit it or not.

The question now is... Is makeup a mask that simply hides away one's true physical "flaws"? And if so, how good is it that its very existence encourages such concealment of insecurities that one should truly have been proud of?

In my very young, very inexperienced experience, I have discovered makeup to indeed be a mask. That's it. No more, no less, it is a mask of a peculiar but typical sort and as I have noted in the past, my dear reader is probably scandalized by this statement. Angry perhaps that I say such a thing being an advocate for makeup myself but I simply speak the truth. Let's look at it this way, a mask by its definition means quite plainly a cover (partial or total) for the face used for disguise or protection. Yes, I'm aware of the phrase, "disguise or protection", so please don't say makeup is not used for both those things because it is. Lip gloss protects the lips from breakage due to dryness, spf contained foundations and powders protect the skin from harmful sun rays and even actors use it as a disguise to fall perfectly into their assigned roles. Basically, it's a mask because the way a person is born, completely, wholly and naturally, is a person's true self and anything secondary to that which is not a result of natural or helpless circumstances is making the individual into who he/she is not.

Now for million dollar question, is it a bad thing? No, it is not. Listen, masks for disguise or protection aren't necessarily bad. Now, in the context of makeup, the popular argument is that one should love oneself naturally and this is absolutely right but that does not mean wearing makeup is wrong. Using my personal experience with the matter and giving my informed but unqualified opinion, I would say this. On a Sunday morning, with the birds chirping, the sky a pale blue and the first rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds, I sit on my bed in front of the window. I reach inside a green bag beside me and retrieve half of a compact mirror and then I do my makeup. For those who don't know it, I'm seventeen. I began really doing makeup this year, before that I just dabbled in eye liner and lipstick only. As a Christian, obviously I'm preparing for mass but yet even with my feet bare, my hair in a rough bun and the clock ticking I'm sitting there doing makeup. Now don't write me off as spoiled or unfaithful because that won't be fair and sure, people would think I'm much too young to worry about such trivial matters and they're probably right but that's where most get it wrong. I don't worry. Okay, I do, everyone does, but certainly not about makeup. What you might've realized at this point is the fact that I, like many others, do it simply and strictly for the pleasure of the process, which is no mystery especially to folks of my generation. After all, it a rule of theirs to never do anything that does not bring "happiness".

- The first point from this possibly unnecessary tale is that it is true that one can simply enjoy doing makeup, that is, not all people do it to hide flaws. To some, including myself, it is just plain therapy.

- Point two is that it is also true that indeed some individuals do it solely to cover up features in their appearances they don't like. Hence, they do it because they are insecure.

- The third point is that there are persons that tell themselves they wear makeup for fun but in reality they are unable to survive without it. Okay, that's a stretch, more like they can't handle being without it, therefore they do it for their insecurities but just pretend they don't.

- Point four is a twister. Ready? Great. So I know I just said that some people do makeup for fun, however, this is not a good reason for doing it. Notice that I don't say 'entirely a good reason', this is because it isn't a good reason period. I'll get to why in a minute.

- The fifth and most important point is one should never EVER become the makeup one wears.

Points one, two and three are pretty self-explanatory so let's elaborate on four and five. With four, again this is a personal opinion and by no means a rule, but as a Christian, there isn't a matter in the world that I can consider without GOD. That being said, no one should ever do anything simply and solely for the purpose of self-satisfaction and that is all I will say. When it comes to the instance involving myself, I want very much to fib and say that I love myself completely and so I am not in the slightest bit addicted to makeup, but no, we're all honest here so I will admit that just like many others out there, and maybe you too dear reader, I am trying every single day to strike a balance between both for I believe it is only in establishing a balance between absolute love and makeup can wear it in the right way. This brings to the explanation of point five, similar to four, when one gets very comfortable with doing makeup for self gratification (self-satisfying reasons), it is almost too easy to do the dangerous thing of becoming the makeup one wears. Now, I don't mean skin care, improving your skin to the point you don't require makeup to begin with. No, that's great. Instead I mean being obsessed with makeup till you are convinced that how you look made up is how you should've looked to begin with, so much so that the thought of yourself without it depresses you and may even lead to plastic surgery.

It is true that the beauty isn't in the purpose, it's in the process, however, you must never forget that the purpose does matter. I'm going to do the most cliche thing in the entire world and say that you are beautiful. Man or woman, boy or girl, the way you were born, the way you were created, just the way you are is absolutely perfect. Don't let your pride get in the way of telling yourself that, and remember it is not enough to say it alone. You must do yourself the kindness of truly believing it so that you can trust that things of beauty you adorn yourself with for whatever reason would NEVER be anything more than the mask we wear.

THE MASK WE WEAR

"In my time", my catch phrase

Though I don't recall my time

But neither do my little ones

I'll say whatever I need to

In my defense I do it out of love

To succeed they need to believe I was better

"In my time", wasn't I?

"I'm fine", my shortcut

They don't need to know I'm broken

They'll worry and refuse to understand

I'll make them cry and cringe

I smile away my pain and uncertainties

I tease away my fears and insecurities

"I'm fine", aren't I?

"I understand", my chorus answer

I must to keep my status

I'm brilliant and depressingly alone

I'm ideal when I triumph, a picture of excellence

I'm a shame when I don't, a measure of failure

I carry my elephant load of expectations

"I understand", don't I?

"You can do it", my scripted advice

To all the miniature dreams that hang on my words

To all the futures my actions dictate

The brighter the spotlight that beams on me

The darker the shadow I must conceal

A thousand feet above, and a thousand to fall

"You can do it", can't you?

"Love isn't my thing", my pickup line

I'm not scared to love, but of not being loved back

I'm terrified if you knew I might lose you

Or worse, realize I never had you to begin with

I'd rather not be rejected for who I am

If only love could be as perfect as love is

"Love isn't my thing", is it?

"Who am I?" my desperate petition

Am I who they say I am? Or am I who I think I am?

Am I a painting of my dreams or my nightmares?

Why do I fear my unknown self?

How do I take off a mask I know nothing of?

Maybe I am the mask I wear, maybe I am not

Would you please tell me, "who am I?"