Saturday, August 24, 2013

On the second to last day of summer, I, along with my parents, decided to explore a massive mall in San Bernardino called Ontario Mills. Our choice for that day was entirely on a whim and with only twenty or less minutes to prepare myself, I came to the resolution that, that day would be a makeup-free day.

A loud sales associate selling skin products targeted me that day. He approached me in a rude manner by stepping directly in front of me, demanding to know what brands I use and my methods of cleansing my face. Uncomfortable and peeved, I had to object several times to his prodding before I could move forward with my parents.

The methods he utilized were a stark contrast to the sales associates from other booths. While he seemed both desperate and forceful, the ones in the booths adjacent to his presented a relaxed image to those frequenting the mall by casually asking them if they were interested in so-and-so’s products.

Since I had been in the mall for nearly six hours, my face was probably colorless and drained or slightly red from exhaustion. I am not offended that he had terrible eyesight and couldn’t tell that I did not have acne. I, in fact, am offended that he tried to force me into a corner to aggressively coerce me buy his merchandise simply because he thought that there was something wrong with my face.

Makeup is always an interesting topic because it is associated with appearance, where many people’s insecurities lie. I once knew a girl that dated her boyfriend for three years and not once did he see her without her combination of foundation, powder, blush and blush, eye shadow, eye and brow liner, false eyelashes, and colored contacts. Her face was such an overwhelming package of cosmetics on a daily basis that whenever she took off her contacts, pus would come out of her eyes and skin appeared tired from the weight of its daily abuse.

When that man walked into my life that day in that single moment, I felt like he was implying my face was not good enough without makeup.

Many people I have befriended see themselves in that light, which I can truly empathize with. Makeup allows one’s beauty to radiate by complementing one's facial features. The skin glows with warmth, free of imperfection from a well-blended mix of bronzer, blush, foundation, and power.  Eyebrows and lips appear luscious and full thanks to eyebrow pencil and coats of lip balm, lip gloss, and/or lip stick.  The multi-faceted hues of the eye are emphasized through use of eye shadow and eyeliner.

However, there's no shame in bags and lines under the eyes, unfilled brows, one's natural lip color, and uneven coloration of skin tone. I think there’s something seductive about a completely natural and naked face.

Natural beauty, I find, is often overlooked by the imperfections we create in our mind and in ourselves. I appreciate my tired eyes, sharp nose, and gentle eyebrows. A unique mole marks my right cheek, where I have childlike pink flush which meshes well with my tan complexion. I am short and tiny, but there are times when I wish I could be thinner or more angular in terms of facial structure. Where I am in my life and what I have grown into is perfectly fine to me though. In the end, I have an immense constellation of feelings, thoughts, experiences, and physical qualities, and I do not need an outside opinion on how to dictate myself as I have grown into myself and become content just being Stephanie.

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