Do you ever feel judged by your makeup choices?
When I go out with a fully done up face or eyes I notice people stare fairly frequently. I'm not talking about someone simply looking at my face briefly, but full-on staring. This just happened a day ago and I thought it might be a good subject to touch upon. For every person that approaches me wherever I am to compliment and ask questions about what I'm wearing for makeup, there's at least 1 or 2 more that simply stare in what feels like an unkind way. I live in a very conservative area of the country in many ways when it comes to makeup. You guys have seen my posts--while I'm not into anything I'd consider super crazy, I love my falsies and I regularly switch between neutral, super colorful and smoky. Stare worthy? I'd like to think possibly in a positive way lol. But not with the circus-freak tone I sometimes get.
Honestly, I'm used to it for the most part. This has been an ongoing thing since I first stepped out of the house wearing crazy blues and greens as a young teen. Yet, I can't help but wonder what they're thinking. I've decided that while it doesn't matter and certainly shouldn't affect what I do, I still haven't mastered the skill of not noticing when it does happen. I refuse to ever allow my choices (like this) to be influenced by other people around me, so for my own sanity I've decided (to prevent myself from ever second-guessing my taste) their stares must amount to them thinking I've either just come from or am about to go somewhere fabulous!
While the truth is that this is rarely the case in my experience (I've gotten my fair share of nasty jealous girls saying snide things because I'm more willing to experiment), I'd rather just keep things positive and go about my life. This keeps me from ever allowing other people to make me self-conscious about my beauty preferences. Do I struggle with it sometimes? Of course. Like everyone else I have serious moments of being self-conscious, but I'd rather fight the feelings than give in to them.
I live in an area where the majority of people where very little makeup on a daily basis. It is commonplace here to find people with bare faces. That's totally cool with me! But that's never been me. Why is nude or red lipstick okay, but not fuchsia or purple or even blue? You can wear a faint brown smoky eye, but you put pink or yellow on your eyes and somehow it's too unconventional? Sometimes I long to live in places where the beauty industry is thriving and more respected. Perhaps that will be in the cards one day. For now I need to work with where I'm at and not allow it to get to me.I just hope that each of my readers, whether you rarely wear makeup or like to wear the most unnatural colors you can possibly find, never allows people around them to make them second-guess their preferences. Your face, your taste, your choice. If you look in the mirror and love what you see--which can certainly be difficult in and of itself--don't let anyone else make you question that!
Do you ever feel this way? How do you handle shrugging it off?
Great post! I think one of the reasons I'm not more adventurous with my makeup is the feat that people are staring at me for the wrong reasons. I always admire your makeup looks & how you put yourself out there! It's not an easy thing to do!
ReplyDeleteAw thanks! You should definitely experiment if you want! It's a hard thing to get around--the judgement. I think a lot of people struggle with it. I definitely encourage everyone to do what works for them and what THEY like. I'm not sure deep down I'll ever completely rid myself of self-consciousness, but I definitely don't want it shaping my choices :)
DeleteI've just finished a full face of makeup simply just to go brush 6 inches of snow off of my car and then go grocery shopping! I love getting "those" looks - I feel the same way - that people wonder where you're going (or came from). I think they're just jealous that you've probably got a more exciting life than they do! :)
ReplyDeleteLol if only they knew ... I do not ;)
DeleteI tend to not wear anything too wild or crazy- it's just not me- but I love to see others wear fun makeup. More often than not, I tend to go either bare faced or very minimal with makeup when I leave the house. It's fine most of the time, but then if I go to Sephora or Ulta and actually want help, they never give me the time of day. I feel like no matter what approach you take, you just can never win 100% of the time.
ReplyDeleteThat is very true! I've been a part of a lot of convos about the snobbery of makeup counter girls! When I worked makeup retail we were trained to never do that, but I've seen it so many times myself regarding others and I feel pressure to go to certain counters with a fully done up face otherwise they assume I know nothing :/
DeleteI am pretty sure they are admiring. People gawk awkwardly and it comes off negatively! It's really hard to be caught staring and look pleasant! Great post, though! :)
ReplyDeleteAw thanks! Unfortunately years of getting certain looks make me think otherwise ;) Sometimes accompanied by back-handed compliments or snide remarks by the super bold lol. And so much of it here is that people just don't really wear much makeup generally. And if they do it's very neutral 99% of the time. And certainly not a mother of 2 my age--goodness forbid! Generally if people are admiring they'll say it to me or at least smile or look away rather than full-on just stare nastily.
DeleteYou do you, girl! You are gorgeous and talented! I feel like lots of people are probably envious! :D
ReplyDeleteHey I'll spread the makeup love and do anyone's makeup who wants it done if that's what they're after ;) And thank you, you're very sweet!
DeleteI know I am envious. You have some mad skills and a gorgeous face! And your personality is pretty awesome too!
ReplyDeleteAw thanks, Kelly <3 I envy your nail art skills so we're even ;)
DeleteGreat post. I only wish I was more adventurous in the makeup department. You always look fab!
ReplyDeleteAw thanks! Well I encourage you to be more adventurous when you're ready ;)
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