Empowerment Through Makeup

Beth Gonzales, Entertainment Editor

Makeup has become increasingly popular within the last decade, going through intense phases that sometimes leave lasting impacts on society.

Makeup on campus has become increasingly normalized as well, with more color, false lashes, carved brows, and bright lipstick. Why the change? And how is this a change for the better?

Makeup allows people a different medium to express their individuality and build self-confidence. With the makeup industry itself changing, with high-quality products becoming more affordable and accessible, and with beauty influencers encouraging their audiences to try new and colorful looks, it is no wonder that there has been an increase in makeup on campus.

An article published by ‘The Daily Targum’ perfectly explained one of the many ways that the beauty industry has improved: inclusiveness. “Beauty YouTube has established itself as the primary authority on guiding consumers to make informed choices on beauty […] The fact that creators represent different races, gender identities, and sexual orientations speaks volumes about inclusivity and diversity in media today.” It is improvements like this that make it easier to access makeup and less difficult for students to explore how makeup can make them feel beautiful.  

The number one fear about accepting makeup as a way to express oneself is that the makeup can become a way to hide one’s real self. With social media being an ever-present stressor, makeup can be an avenue to collect more likes or hide one’s features in favor of ‘creating a face’ that is ‘pretty’ by today’s beauty industry standards.

Aliah Perez, a makeup artist and student on our campus, said, “Changing features is putting makeup ‘on’ your face rather than making makeup ‘a part of” your face. I always think that makeup should be apart of your face. I do not think it should look like it is just on your face.” 

Like a mask, makeup can quickly hide a person. But that should never be the main purpose of makeup. Use it to shine a spotlight on your favorite parts of your face. Use makeup to empower yourself, do not put yourself into a ridiculous mold and try to look like everyone else. 

We were all blessed with unique faces and features. Makeup should help us embrace our different faces and make us feel what we all are: beautiful.

Makeup is a form of art. It allows people to express themselves how they want to; it can help a person find their individuality and can empower a person to feel like they can take on the world. On our campus, we should all embrace our friends who have found happiness doing their makeup, and encourage others to find self-confidence within themselves through the power of makeup.