This is an experiment I’ve been thinking on for the past few days. I’m always so preoccupied with how I look and how others perceive me, while hypocritically proclaiming I am a feminist and a humanist and it shouldn’t matter how I look. I don’t wear as much make-up as some people, but I wear it very strategically. And I always feel uncomfortable without it.
EDIT: The photo below is me with half of my face bare and half with my normal application of make-up. I could have done two photos, a before and after, but I thought it would be interesting to see both phases in one face. Sort of a home-made split screen.
So this is a sort of experiment I would like to turn into a series called Two-faced. I would like to invite my friends and readers to send me photos of their faces— one side of their face made up, the other bare. It’s an interesting way to confront yourself. And looking at my photo now, I feel there’s not that big of a difference between my two faces. Maybe it’s mostly in my head.
My two faces
(If you decide to participate in my series please e-mail your photo to alison@beautifulsorta.net.)
My little modeling session Tuesday has made me think. My make-up artist was hell bent on covering up the dark circles under my eyes. She also used eyeliner and lipstick to extend my upper lip to near Pamela Anderson proportions. I guess it’s not as noticeable in the photos. But when I asked her to round out the little peaks on my upper lip, she obliged me by toning it down just a little. And she explained that she was just balancing the fullness of my bottom lip. But I naturally have dark under eye circles and a small upper lip. Why can’t I be beautiful with or without them? Why are they necessarily flaws? I am such a hypocrite because I definitely view them as flaws but I am enough of a feminist to be offended by my own opinion. (That sounds so schizo.)
I stopped reading women’s magazines a few months ago. I decided they have nothing valuable to say to me. But I still wear make-up and worry about my weight and wish I had a better wardrobe. Hopefully I can make internal changes by starting with my exterior.
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As a guy, I first thought, “Well, great. She’s just discriminated against guys!” because you mentioned the second picture as being a made-up one. Then I remembered that if a guy actually spends money/gets his head shots done correctly, he’ll have makeup applied. I’m just too poor to have ever experienced that.
As a feminist myself, I find myself conflicted with compliments. If I want to tell a girl she’s pretty, here’s my internal dialogue:
“Why are you complimenting that? Who cares? Focus on her personality or intelligence or talent or creativity.”
“Well, who doesn’t like being told they look nice?”
“But that’s only because we’ve come to value physical appearance. It shouldn’t be valued.”
“But it IS!”
“Just because it is, doesn’t mean it should be.” (I actually never thought that phrase exactly until seeing Australia.)
“So don’t compliment her looks? Don’t let her know you think she’s pretty?”
“No.”
“But since physical beauty IS valued [whether it should be or not], by NOT saying something means [by current values] that I don’t value her.”
By this time, she’s already paid for her coffee and has left the coffee shop. Oh well.
btw, I’ve always liked the circles under your eyes.
P.S.– Where’s your other face? Only one shows up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM_6ARkzeDw
I guess I should have been more clear. In the photo, one half of my face is made up, the other has no make-up at all.
I loved Australia! I love Baz Luhrman and I thought Kidman was the best she’s been.
Also, I relate to your inner dialogue and often think about how to compliment young girls and children that I meet. When you don’t know someone, you can’t compliment their smarts or creativity. So the only thing you can really say is “You are such a pretty girl!” or something superficial like that. If you know the child then you can compliment them on something of substance. It is a dilemma. At least I got a laugh out of your particular dilemma!
That video would make any girl feel better about herself!
@lemonbar77 All I’m saying is Photoshop can do anything.
[...] Two-faced - Beautiful Sorta I liked this idea of making up only half your face and leaving the other half bare, then taking a picture. Alison would love to get your picture for posting on her new blog. [...]
you go girl!