Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbatt!ihnp4!qantel!lll-lcc!lll-crg!seismo!rochester!ritcv!cci632!rb From: rb@cci632.UUCP (Rex Ballard) Newsgroups: soc.singles Subject: Re: A different view on makeup Message-ID: <414@cci632.UUCP> Date: Fri, 26-Sep-86 13:02:30 EDT Article-I.D.: cci632.414 Posted: Fri Sep 26 13:02:30 1986 Date-Received: Tue, 30-Sep-86 05:43:25 EDT References: <1516@mtx5a.UUCP> <1474@oddjob.UUCP> Reply-To: rb@ccird1.UUCP (Rex Ballard) Distribution: net Organization: CCI, Rochester Development, Rochester, NY Lines: 70 Summary: Self-esteem. In article <1474@oddjob.UUCP> matt@oddjob.UUCP (Matt Crawford) writes: >[ So I'm slow too. Whattaya gonna do, throw me in net.jail? ] > >So what, exactly, is the big difference between makeup and >jewelry? I don't care who wears or doesn't wear jewelry. >If you set aside questions of protection from the elements, what >differences remain between jewelry/makeup and clothes? All three, jewelry, makeup, and fashionable clothing (vs. utility only clothing), are popular for the same reason. They are methods of improving self-esteem. Actors use make-up, costumes, and props as a way of building "characters" or "masks" which they hope will be entertaining to an audience. In the same way, people can use clothes, make-up, and jewelry to build a character or image that will be attractive to others. The type of character being built in this way depends on the situation to be encountered. On can "dress for success" in business, "dress for sex" before going to a party, or even "dress for respect" before going to church. >Those who claim that any or all of these three things are bad >because they "aren't natural",.... Are hippocrites. As mentioned above, people can build all sorts of characters. The priest in church, the businessman in the 3-peice suit, the party girl at the disco, even the bag-lady downtown dress to build a character they feel is appropriate to the situation. When people appear obsurd, it is usally because they are building an image that is inappropriate to the situation. The man who wears his 3 piece suit to the baseball or football game, the guy who wears his "punk rock" outfit to church, or the girl who wears her jogging suit to the disco, are not improperly or unnaturally dressed, just wearing the wrong thing for the situation. There are even times when it is appropriate to dress "like a hooker", like before sex. If you think about it, a man who wears flannel P.J.'s and then tries to seduce his wife is a little silly. The same is true with make-up. Heavy eye-shadow, strong shading, and dark lipstick that might be perfect for evening wear at a dimly lit restaurant would look ridiculous at a business lunch at the company cafeteria. Jewelry is the same, story. Some men feel that it is unnatural for women to wear jewelry and make-up simply because it is seldom if ever appropriate for men to wear these things. Men seldom do more than wear a little aftershave, wedding ring, and a watch. Even the wedding ring is optional for some men. A bachelor I knew used to wear a wedding ring when at work because, in sales, he felt that customers wouldn't think a bachelor would know enough about his product to advise them. Men can sometimes get away with wearing some make-up. Typically a translucent bronzer, or a dark shaded base can be appropriate for evenings at disco's. It is sometimes useful for men with "splotchy" coloring. I discovered, back in the days when I was in theater myself, that I could leave my theatrical make-up on after a show, go the cast parties, and not feel as self-concious about "zit scars". If men were totally honest with themselves when they looked in the mirror, they might find that a little effort was appropriate. With the popularity of "Miami Vice", some men are even buying "stubble razors" that leave a little shadow behind. Face it guys, do you think Trystan Rogers, Billy D. Williams, or Pierce Brosnan would have a chance without a little help from Ben Nye :-). Do you really think you can compete with your bare face, blue jeans, and a "hug me" sweatshirt?