The beauty of ugliness

makeupbyalli.com

The beauty industry is an industry that thrives on people's insecurities. Things like eyeliner, foundation, weaves, French manicures, fake eyelashes, blush, all fall under the "make-up" umbrella. The word "make-up" in itself denotes that something is wrong and needs fixing.

We have been conditioned to believe that without these products we are ugly and need fixing.

• To smell good, here's perfume;  
• you're dirty, here's soap;
• You have cellulite, here’s laser therapy that will restore your skin;
• You have midriffs, here’s liposuction;
• You have wrinkles, here’s a de-wrinkling cream;
• You’re fat, here’s a diet/machine/product that will help you lose weight;
• You’re too dark, here’s a lightening cream, etc.

A conditioning of the mind has occurred that has taught us to hate ourselves and the way that we look. Celebrities/magazines/tv shows/commercials endorsing and publicising 'the perfect body' adds fuel to the fire.

In 2013 worldwide sales stood at an estimated $426 billion (fashinvest.com). The beauty industry is made up of 5 segments, hair care, skin care, fragrance, make-up and other. Surprisingly enough skin care contributed 27% to worldwide sales; while make up only contributed 20%.

The brain is a powerful organ, it is said 'as a man thinks, so is he'. I've asked woman who put on make-up on a regular basis and the common answer throughout was that they used it to 'enhance their features'. Now I ask, who told them that they need to enhance their eyes, lips, face? Who told them that without the 'enhancers' they are ugly? Who told them that they need to put on make-up every day? Who told them that their natural look needs altering?

Even men these days prefer the 'made up' women over the girl who has no make-up. Just last week a man divorced his wife after seeing how 'ugly' she was without make up (nigeriana.org).

Society has made make-up the norm; hence it’s accepted over the natural look. There was a hashtag trend (#nomakeupselfie) on Facebook and Twitter where ladies uploaded photos of themselves without make-up.

Photos that were uploaded showed dark circles, spots, wrinkles, dark patches, etc. Ladies who did this were considered as having guts and brave. It is shallow campaigns like this that encourage low self-esteem and encourage women to hide behind make-up because after all, our true self's are so hideous and unbearable.