This morning on Yahoo!, I came upon an article that was a bit disturbing: "Half of Women Won't Let Partners See Them Without Makeup for a Year. Really?" by Joanna Douglas, Senior Editor.To quote the opening paragraph of the article: "A new survey in the U.K. polled women between the ages of 18 and 30 and found that 54% wouldn’t let their significant other see them without makeup until they’d been dating for over a year."
It is next to Ms. Douglas that I stand on this matter and ask in a rather disgusted, disbelieving voice, "Really?"
A Brief History Lesson
Over three hundred years ago, in the time of the Salem Witch Trials, a woman wearing makeup would have been deemed a devil-worshiper and sentenced to burn. Today, a woman wearing makeup -if she applies it 'right' -is looked upon as a sex goddess.
Where and when did this shift occur?
According to a rather interesting timeline that I found on Cosmeticsinfo.org, the earliest usage of makeup in a civilization can be traced as far back as 10,000 BCE. Recorded as being used first by the Egyptians, cosmetics were an essential part of daily hygiene. The Greeks and Japanese both used a form of white lead or powder to cover the entire face -as a reflection of status.
The latter practices of imitating a natural pale complexion was especially popular amongst the European aristocracy in 1500 to 1600 AD -during the reign of such monarchs as Queen Elizabeth I. Ironically, it was said that her lead-based facial powder (her famous "Mask of Youth") is what contributed to the sickness that caused the Virgin Queen's death.
Nearly three hundred years later, Queen Victoria publicly deemed makeup to be improper. As such it could only be used by stage performers.
The latter belief shifted in the 1900s, during the Edwardian period. Beauty salons increased in popularity. This overturn in demand is said to have come from middle-aged women who desired more youthful appearances. So ashamed were many of these women to admit their needs to look younger, however, that they were said to enter salons from the backdoor.
Today, particularly in the United States, there are little to no restrictions on a woman to buy or wear makeup.
It's All About Confidence
The survey mentioned above, and in Douglas's article, was conducted by the British skincare company Flint + Flint. In response to the findings mentioned above, brand owner Maxine Flint had this to say:
“We were shocked to find out so many women feel so insecure about their skin that they would hide behind their makeup for such a long length of time. We would have expected less body confidence than skin shyness. It’s a shame that us women appear to have so many hang ups about ourselves and we hope that our Flint + Flint beauty range will help to bring some well-needed confidence back. They do say after all that beauty is skin deep!”
It is true, the first year of dating -like the first year of marriage -is the most stressful, the most unnerving. In every thing that she does, every way that she looks, a woman want her new boyfriend to think that she is the most beautiful female in the world. And if he doesn't, who can blame him for leaving or cheating... right?
Mostly, the latter mentioned insecurity is an enforced belief of society. Commercials and billboards are constantly telling women to look younger, flawless, and sexy. And if we are not, then it is our fault when the men walk away. So, when we finally reel in a catch, a woman will commonly seek out every physical path and measure to keep the male interested.
Legitimate dating, however, is not like an audition for Cosmopolitan Magazine. Having everything on the surface and nothing underneath (intelligence, interests, ambitions) is what will cause a real man to run away.
I am as self-conscious of my facial faults as any woman; and, yes, I use cosmetic on a daily basis to mask their presence. That tendency, however, has mostly been for the public's benefit.
As for my boyfriend: After a few months of dating, we began to travel out of town together -for band practice and visiting friends on the weekends. The first time I let him see me without makeup, admittedly, I cheated: the room was dark, and I woke up before he did. For sure, though, he saw me plain-faced within the first six months of our relationship. Now, living together, he sees me every day without makeup As he has yet to cower or run away screaming, I assume he bares no disgust for my natural face.
True, I do not go out in public without at least a light smear of foundation on my face. Mostly, this preference stems from the fact that I never know when or where I might bump into a classmate or my boss. In the safe zone that is my apartment, however, I have no shame in being bare-skinned; especially around my boyfriend.
If you love your beau, ladies, show him your flaws.
