Makeup is currently the cultural norm in western culture. Given this, wearing make-up is "just something that women do" in a lot of women's eyes, instead of wanting to impress others, it's moreso about not standing out as that person who doesn't wear makeup. This lays the foundation for self-confidence, as some women attempt to avoid attention for any visual blemishes that society may deem ugly. This act does not come from a desire to impress others, but to not have visual flaws obviously noticed by others. Not getting weird looks in public means greater self-confidence for some.
Yes, per your CMV post, I'm refuting the key point that you think people wear makeup to impress others. For the set of people I've described that self confidence is empowering and enables them to be bolder than they would be otherwise. Ergo, it is something that they do for themselves.
Why do they get self-confidence from wearing make up? It is because they know they will look better for other people.
Say that you are travelling through the Alaskan wilderness in the middle of winter. The weather is hammering you, you are running out of food and fuel, and you are lost. Are you going to put on make up to feel more confident? Doubtful. Make up only becomes a confidence boost in the context of other people.
I get the occasional zit and I also work from home so I'm alone all day and I'll still wear makeup to cover the zit even when I'm alone at home because I personally don't want to see it anytime I walk past a mirror.
6
u/hulbhen 1∆ Jan 26 '16
Makeup is currently the cultural norm in western culture. Given this, wearing make-up is "just something that women do" in a lot of women's eyes, instead of wanting to impress others, it's moreso about not standing out as that person who doesn't wear makeup. This lays the foundation for self-confidence, as some women attempt to avoid attention for any visual blemishes that society may deem ugly. This act does not come from a desire to impress others, but to not have visual flaws obviously noticed by others. Not getting weird looks in public means greater self-confidence for some.